Congratulations Martha we are so proud of you!

Clayton is the Membership and Retention Coordinator here at LIFT Wellness. Clayton is originally from Crockett County but has lived in Jackson for the past two years. Before joining the team Clayton worked for Aramark Uniform Services. He was a member of LIFT previously and learned about the job opening here and thought it would be a great place to work.

Clayton is currently studying Business Management at Jackson State Community College and hopes to use his degree to forge a career here at LIFT Wellness Center.

Clayton loves working at LIFT because he enjoys hearing members’ stories. He remembers a gentleman right when he first started working the front desk that came in with the assistance of a walker and now is able to come in without the use of a walker and that to him is the meaning of LIFT. He loves seeing our member’s success and it warms his heart.

When Clayton isn’t working, you can find him spending time with his fiancé, Alexis.

Thanks, Clayton for all you do and continue to do here at LIFT! We are proud to call you one of our own. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding in January.

The holiday season is full of sweets and treats, and for people who are trying to eat healthier or manage their blood sugar, it can be a tough time. If you are making the treats this holiday season, take a look at some great ways to reduce sugar or fat, and add in fiber and nutrients!

1)     For many recipes you can slightly reduce the amount of sugar used and you won’t notice any changes in taste! If the dessert is fruity, you can cut the sugar by up to one-third. This is a great method to use if you don’t want to “ruin” a family recipe or a fan favorite but you want to make it a little healthier.

2)     Dark chocolate has more of the health benefits of chocolate, but less of the sugar compared to milk chocolate or white chocolate. Next time try reaching for the 70% cacao dark chocolate, especially if you are adding it to a sweet dessert! The sweetness from the rest of the dessert will balance the slightly-less sweet chocolate. You can also add walnuts to increase the fiber, magnesium, and iron content, as well as adding in some great omega-3 fatty acids!

3)     Whole wheat pastry flour can offer more fiber and nutrients from the bran and germ of the grain. This can make the food more satisfying and filling so you don’t eat as much at a time. Some resources suggest reducing how much of the whole wheat pastry flour you use when using it instead of regular pastry flour

4)     Using pureed avocado instead of butter replaces the saturated fat with heart-healthy unsaturated fat and fiber, and may reduce your risk for heart disease. This is a great swap because you don’t have to think about the math! You can use the same amount of pureed avocado as you would butter. There may be a color change in the dessert, so try it in chocolate desserts or add in a touch of green food dye to make it seasonal and fun. Another great substitution you can use is applesauce instead of oil, eggs, or sugar. The amount you use depends on what you are substituting it for.

If you aren’t the baking type, but you do enjoy sampling the holiday treats, here are some helpful tips for you as well! Be mindful of portion size. The more we eat something the less satisfying it is, so instead of getting a huge slice of pie but only truly enjoying half of it, cut a smaller piece. It’s also helpful to focus on the foods you don’t get year-round, and as always, practice mindful eating! Eat slowly, enjoy the taste, texture, and smell of what you’re eating. If you don’t love it, or if it isn’t as good as you thought it was, it’s ok to leave it alone.

Are you looking for a tasty but unique treat to share with your loved ones? Try these Orange Cranberry Biscotti! This crunchy cookie tastes best dipped in coffee or tea, and is perfect for gifting!

Grubb's is offering LIFT Wellness Center Members TRIPLE Loyalty points! All you have to do is go by Grubb's, show your scan tag or app scan bar code to be added into their system to get triple loyalty points!