Lisa Gullans, of Tampa, points to the leader board after she was the 1000th rider of the Freewheelin pedal bus on Thursday, Aug. 30, in downtown Tampa during the Republican National Convention. Humana is providing complimentary pedal buses throughout the week at both the RNC and DNC. (Photo by Scott Iskowitz/Invision for Humana/AP Images)

Even with Tropical Storm Isaac keeping visitors indoors for much of Sunday and Monday, 1,250 rides were taken and 542 miles were logged on Freewheelin’s pedal buses this week in Tampa during the Republican National Convention. The RNC has come to an end, but the fun of taking a spin on the pedal buses lives on Sept. 3-6 at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.

As the Republican National Convention wrapped up, Freewheelin’s pedal-powered buses were getting a lot of attention in Tampa.

A Wall Street Journal article about Freewheelin asked, “Just what are those politicians pedaling?”

USA Today said, “Some Republicans who have been tough on tax breaks for electric cars … appear to have an even more fuel-efficient alternative when it comes to getting around Tampa.”

 The National Journal described the pedal buses as a cross “between a bicycle and a Flintstones car, with a very low carbon footprint.”

Humana President Bruce Broussard took a pedal bus ride on Wednesday and noted Freewheelin’s growth since the program’s debut during the 2008 Democratic and Republican conventions. “When Freewheelin began four years ago, our focus was on being eco-friendly, social, and at the same time, being fun and healthy. We’ve taken the social aspect to an all new level with the pedal buses. They make it easy to get around, and you can enjoy the community with your friends and still get great benefit to your health. I feel privileged to be here in Tampa with Freewheelin and really enjoy being part of this program.”

Related resources

• Freewheelin Facebook
• Freewheelin website
• Freewheelin Twitter
•  Freewheelin YouTube
•  Freewheelin Flickr
• Freewheelin Fact Sheet
•  Freewheelin at the conventions: How It Works
• Pedaling Toward Better Health: Humana to Provide Freewheelin Pedal Buses at 2012 Republican and Democratic National Conventions
• Humana leaves legacy in Charlotte, Tampa

Humana is providing pedal buses for free use during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla. (Photo by Scott Iskowitz/Invision for Humana/AP Images)

On the first full day of activity at the Republican National Convention, Humana’s Freewheelin project is up and rolling in Tampa.

Watch brief video stories about Humana donating some of the “bus-cycles” to the Tampa community after the conventions, about the program getting underway, and about the impact Tropical Storm Isaac had on Freewheelin over the past two days. It’s all on our Freewheelin YouTube channel.

Related resources

• Freewheelin Facebook
• Freewheelin website
• Freewheelin Twitter
• Freewheelin Flickr
• Freewheelin Fact Sheet
• Freewheelin at the conventions: How It Works
• Pedaling Toward Better Health: Humana to Provide Freewheelin Pedal Buses at 2012 Republican and Democratic National Conventions
• Humana leaves legacy in Charlotte, Tampa

The Caballero family of Tampa takes a spin on a Freewheelin pedal bus at the Republican National Convention.  Front row Marcos, Andres, 10, Marcos 17.  Back row Alex, 14, and Melissa.  Humana is providing pedal buses for free use by convention-goers for the week.  (Photo by Scott Iskowitz/Invision for Humana/AP Images)

A tropical storm may have forced Humana’s fleet of pedal-powered “bus-cycles” under cover, but the future of Freewheelin still looks hopeful in Tampa and Charlotte.

As Tropical Storm Isaac approached Tampa on Sunday, Aug. 26, a decision was made to temporarily move many of Humana’s Freewheelin bus-cycles to safety. (Watch the video.) Even as the storm approached, Humana hosted a launch event to formally welcome Freewheelin to the Republican National Convention.

“We were really excited about getting Freewheelin started on Sunday, but given the forecast, we decided we needed to pack our bikes and bike stations away until the weather improves,” said Susan Jones of Humana’s Innovation Center.

The Republican National Convention cancelled Monday’s events in response to Isaac, which is expected to reach hurricane status as it moves across the Gulf of Mexico and makes an expected landfall near New Orleans on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Before the storm hit Tampa on Sunday, Freewheelin organizers managed to take a few local residents and visitors on a ride around downtown.

“Even though we were only able to take the buses out for a short while, we were really encouraged by the response we got from folks on the streets. People would honk their horns or roll their windows down and ask where they could get a Freewheelin ride,” said Debbie Henry of Humana’s Public Affairs department.

Within hours, photos and descriptions of the green Freewheelin buses started showing up on the Facebook pages of Tampa-based organizations like these:

• 83 Degrees Facebook post: “These ‘pedal pushers’ may be the best way to get around downtown Tampa this week.”
•  Rock the Park, Tampa: “Check out these cool Freewheelin Pedal Buses cruising the streets this week! Looks like Humana is going to leave them behind for us Tampa folks to use!”

Humana announced on Sunday that Freewheelin will donate five of the bus-cycles to the City of Tampa after the political conventions end early next month.

“It’s going to be a great addition to downtown, and I really want to thank Humana for thinking of us and providing this service,” said Christine Burdick, president of the Tampa Downtown Partnership.

Freewheelin will take its message of well-being in motion to the Democratic National Convention next week in Charlotte, N.C. As for this week, weather permitting, the program will be in operation from Tuesday through Thursday in Tampa before moving on to Charlotte.

Related resources

• Freewheelin Facebook
•  Freewheelin website
•  Freewheelin Twitter
•  Freewheelin Flickr
• Freewheelin Fact Sheet
•  Freewheelin at the conventions: How It Works
• Pedaling Toward Better Health: Humana to Provide Freewheelin Pedal Buses at 2012 Republican and Democratic National Conventions
• Humana leaves legacy in Charlotte, Tampa

A little planning and creativity will help you maintain a balanced diet – and a balanced budget.

LifeSynch, a Humana subsidiary, offers extensive health behavior resources, including behavioral healthcare, employee assistance program (EAP)/work-life services, behavioral pharmacy services, health coaches and Web-based wellness tools. As part of their commitment to change health behaviors and improve lives, LifeSynch’s health coaches will be contributing a series of articles that demonstrate how easy it can be to make a healthy change.

Eating healthy and staying on a budget is difficult even before you throw in a crazy schedule that we all seem to keep. The following suggestions might make it easier for you to maintain a balanced diet and a balanced budget.

1. Buying from bulk bins can be a cost-effective way to go. It wastes less food and packaging than prepackaged products. It is also a great way to try new things. For instance, buy a cup of grain that you have wanted to try. If you find you are not a fan of it, you will not have wasted food or money on a whole bag.
2. If a recipe calls for 1 pound of meat, try only using ¾ of a pound and add rice, diced mushrooms, peppers, or almost any vegetable you have on hand. It will be healthier and cheaper.
3. Making your own bread is not as difficult as it sounds or looks. Flours, a little oil and sugar, and yeast are virtually all you need for homemade bread. Baking your own is cheaper and can be healthier.
4. Have a small amount of leftovers from last night’s dinner? Don’t throw them out. Even a small amount of diced meat or vegetables will work well when mixed with eggs to create a quiche or frittata, which make simple, filling and inexpensive meals.
5. Use more dry beans. Think it’s too much trouble and time-consuming? Dry beans need to be rinsed and soaked in water overnight, but that only takes a few minutes to set up. If you don’t have time to simmer them for a couple of hours the next day, put them in the crock pot to cook for the day. Since beans freeze really well, consider making a huge pot and freezing half to use another day.
6. Only buy enough fruits and vegetables for one week. Food waste is a big issue in the United States. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, the average American throws away several pounds of food – and a lot of money – each month.
7. Plan ahead. If you don’t plan for the week then you will be constantly running to the store for one more thing to complete a meal or will decide it’s too much trouble, you don’t have time or are too tired and wind up going to a restaurant, which is usually not the most cost-effective or healthy choice. Make a grocery list for the week, go to the store, and prep as much as you can on the weekend.
8. Don’t throw away “scraps.” Have part of an onion and broccoli stalk left from a meal? These two ingredients are important in many soups. Multiple websites offer a variety of ways to use these and other ingredients to make delicious, cheap and filling soups.
9. Keep your grains and dry beans in clear glass jars. This will inspire you to actually use them!
10. When your frozen vegetables start getting a little frosty, it is time to use ‘em or lose ‘em. A couple of times of year have a pantry and freezer cleanout week. Purchase the bare minimum from the store that week and force yourself to get creative with things that need to be used. Even if you save only a few dollars each time you do this, it will add up over time. Do you have some frozen vegetables that are getting a little frosty? Don’t throw them out. Eat them with a frozen pizzza or toss them into soup.
11. Make smoothies. If you have fruit that is close to becoming overripe, don’t toss it in the trash – toss it in a blender with milk, yogurt, almond or soy milk or juice. It’s quick, easy and delicious.
12. Fresh herbs can make a big difference in many recipes and may even be required to make it taste just right. But they can also be expensive – unless you grow your own. If you have extra, whether you grew them or bought them, chop up whatever you don’t use immediately, place in ice trays, pour water over the top, and freeze. These can be used in soups and stews.

Do you already incorporate some of these suggestions into your regular routine? Or do you have others that work? If so, share them with others in the comment section below.

Lacey Starkey, a learning facilitator and personal health coach/mentor at LifeSynch, a subsidiary of Humana, has a bachelor’s degree in wellness science and a master’s degree in health education. She is also a certified personal trainer and group exercise instructor. In her spare time, she enjoys being outdoors, exercising and staying active in her local community garden.

Participants from the 2011 National Summer Games compete in a race in Houston.

The National Senior Games Association, the governing organization for the largest multi-sport event in the world for adults over age 50, has announced a new six-year sponsorship agreement with Humana.

“NSGA is proud to call Humana a partner as we enhance our efforts to promote senior health and wellness across America,” said NSGA CEO Mike Sophia. “At the 2013 National Senior Games and beyond, Humana will offer thoughtful and exciting initiatives that will help provide our members with resources and tools to lead healthier lives.”

Humana’s Well-being Tour will be integrated into NSGA events, offering athletes and participants interactive tools that provide a fresh perspective on healthy living. The Well-being Tour offerings include biometric screening stations with personalized results, hydration stations with stationary bike activities and an Xbox Kinect station featuring the “Your Shape: Fitness Evolved 2012” interactive game.

“We’re delighted to extend Humana’s relationship with the National Senior Games,” said Alan Wheatley, President of Humana’s Medicare organization. “As we work across Humana to help people achieve lifelong well-being, it makes perfect sense for us to align with an organization like NSGA. The more we can encourage people to stay active and have fun in the process, the better.”

Local farmer’s markets offer a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.

LifeSynch, a Humana subsidiary, offers extensive health behavior resources, including behavioral healthcare, employee assistance program (EAP)/work-life services, behavioral pharmacy services, health coaches and web-based wellness tools. As part of their commitment to change health behaviors and improve lives, LifeSynch’s health coaches are contributing a series of articles that demonstrate how easy it can be to make a healthy change.

Most of us are looking for ways to improve our health and well-being, and one of the easiest behavioral changes to make is adding more fruits and vegetables to our diet. There couldn’t be a better time to get started because fruits and vegetables are more plentiful and taste better and fresher in the summer.

Did you know that certain fruits and vegetables grow in different areas at different times, and it really does affect the taste? The type and variety of vegetables and fruits that are currently in season varies by region, but some of the summer bounty that is widely available includes many types of berries, plums, melons, pears, apples, broccoli, tomatoes, squash, eggplant, cucumbers, cauliflower and corn.

How do you know what is in season in your area? The Sustainable Table organization offers an easy-to-use tool on its website that lists seasonal offerings in each state.
There are a variety of vegetables in season during the summer, and a great place to find them is at a local farmer’s market. By buying local, you increase your chances of finding the freshest and healthiest options because local in-season food has not incurred the environmental damage caused by shipping it miles and miles. This also provides an opportunity to reduce your carbon footprint and invest in your community. Plug in your ZIP code in the USDA National Farmers Market Directory and find a farmer’s market in your area.

Once you get home with your fresh produce, how do you prepare it and use it? Add summer strawberries or other fruit on top of yogurt, cereal, or oatmeal to get an extra serving of fresh fruit for the day. Or get creative and make a strawberry and avocado salsa using this Cooking Light recipe.

Eating fresher – and tastier – fruits and vegetables can make it a lot easier to make sure you getting the nutrition you need to live a healthier, happier life.

Ramona Cash, a site administrator for the personal health coaching program for LifeSynch, a subsidiary of Humana, has a bachelor’s degree in health education and a master’s degree in health science. She is also a certified health educator. In her spare time, she enjoys riding her bike, going to the farmer’s market, and cooking healthy recipes for her food blog, “Keep It Fun and Healthy.”

Each year, the South By Southwest (SXSW) Interactive Festival in Austin, Texas, attracts some of the world’s most intriguing and innovative thinkers to gather for five days to discuss the future of digital technology – from social media to gaming.

Following its appearance at the event earlier this year, Humana has proposed another panel discussion, and we’d appreciate your support. As an active and passionate advocate of health innovation, Humana hopes to convene a panel that includes Shankar Ram, Vice President of Innovation at Humana; Brad Weinberg, M.D., Founder, Blueprint Health; Robin J. Thurston, Co-Founder, MapMyFITNESS; and Jason Riis, Professor, Harvard Business School. These experts will explore the role and importance of innovation and partnerships in creating and sustaining positive health behavior change. We also will discuss how tools like behavioral economics, mobile technology, gamification, and social media can improve the lives of millions.

SXSW panels proposals are evaluated and selected based on a range of factors, including public voting. That’s why we need your support. Now through Aug. 31, voters can pick the panels they’d like to see on the schedule at SXSW in 2013. If our panel is of interest to you, please vote for it.

Participants in design day in Louisville display their sketches.

Dozens of children, their parents and other adult volunteers gathered at the Parkland Boys & Girls Club in Louisville, Ky., on Aug. 15 to compile a wish list for their own one-of-a-kind multigenerational playground and community garden that will be built on Oct. 16.

When a playground is being planned, who better to turn to for inspiration and design advice than children because as one of these “experts at play” pointed out, “We’re kids – we are better at it and have better ideas.” The enthusiasm for the task was evident as several participants such as Matteo Johnson, Jaquay Rodgers Jr.. Joshua Eddings, Javin Johnson, Na’Kiya Hall, and Darius Calloway, Jr., displayed their individual designs, which included typical playground equipment such as slides and monkey bars to water fountains, a rock-climbing wall and a trampoline.

The playgrounds are part of a continuing partnership between Humana, The Humana Foundation, and the nonprofit organization KaBOOM!, to create neighborhood legacies that promote healthy play and well-being. More than 50 playgrounds will be built by Humana and KaBOOM! across the U.S. over four years. Each playground has senior and adult-focused elements, such as fitness stations to promote good posture, balance and flexibility, as well as traditional kid-friendly equipment and areas where families can gather for picnics and reunions.

“We’re excited to be here today to be part of creating a safe place within walking distance for the children to play or families to gather,” said Jennifer Helgeson, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana. “This is an investment in the community and an incredible opportunity to create an outdoor space that is open to everyone of all ages – young and old – and encourages them to be active, have fun, enjoy the outdoors and gather as family and a community. It will be a place to create memories.”

Kenny Altenburg, of KaBOOM, led the design-day activities, and even though he said he has been involved with 40 playground builds around the country, he never fails to be inspired on the day of the build when he sees the excitement and pride of those in the community as they watch the ideas they put on paper become reality.

“People tell me that they’ve never been part of something like this and that they are meeting neighbors for the first time,” he said. “It is more than building a playground. It’s building pride in a community and a neighborhood. We’re all in this together.”

Related Videos and Articles

• Volunteers from Humana, KaBOOM! and the local community team up to build a multigenerational playground in Metairie, La.
• In this video, the residents of the desert community of Thermal, Calif., who named their playground Mirage, explain what it means to them and how it helps build hope for healthier, happier days ahead.
• This playground in Sanford, Fla., gives Midway Safe Harbor Community Center, a new way to actively demonstrate the benefits of an active lifestyle.
• This AARP  blog, “The Shape of Things to Come: Adult Playground,” discusses the many benefits of the multigenerational playgrounds.

The Louisville Veteran’s Day Parade passes by the Humana Building on Nov. 11, 2011.

In August 2011, Humana pledged to hire 1,000 military veterans and veterans’ spouses by late 2014. A year later, the company’s efforts are ahead of schedule. Since making its commitment, Humana has hired 677 former servicemen and servicewomen or their spouses in a wide variety of fields – from nursing to information technology to pharmacy and data analytics.

Humana recently reported on its progress in a letter to President Barack Obama. The letter details not only Humana’s efforts to hire and train military veterans and their spouses, but also the many ways Humana helps prepare veterans to re-enter the civilian workplace and support them once they get there. Read the letter here.

The crowd of volunteers are ready for the ribbon to be cut after completing the playground in Charlotte.

Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx has big dreams for his city.

With the upcoming Democratic National Convention (September 3-6) taking place in Charlotte, the mayor understands the national spotlight will be on his town. Beyond successfully executing the three-day event, Mayor Foxx has another goal in mind—ensuring the impact from the DNC will create long-term, sustainable change in Charlotte.

On Saturday, August 4, Humana contributed to this dream by building a multi-generational playground at the Village of Rosedale Apartments in Charlotte. Along with partners from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Housing Partnership, Charlotte in 2012 and KaBOOM!, Humana teamed up to construct the playground and bring renewed inspiration for well-being to the local community.

More than 250 community volunteers built the multi-generational playground in one day, which includes both kid-friendly elements as well as activities targeted toward adults and seniors.

“When you make it possible for a young person to have a place to play, you make it possible for a young person to dream,” said Mayor Foxx about the playground build. “And when you make it possible for a young person to dream, you make it possible for a young person to achieve.”

In advance of the Republican National Convention (August 27-30) in Tampa, a playground was built on Aug. 11 in that city’s Ragan Park.

The new playgrounds in Charlotte and Tampa are part of the effort by Humana and KaBOOM! to build 18 playgrounds across the United States in 2012.