Six. More. Weeks. Of. Winter.
What the heck does Punxsutawney Phil know anyway. It’s always dreary in PA- just like Ohio. Regardless of if Phil got it right, things are certainly heating up in the Step Challenge! We have 39 registered applicants, and wowzers… that babble in the Group Me!! Ken and Cledith just upped the ante with an extra hundred bucks to the winner
. That would definitely keep me motivated and possibly offer up some smack talk!
February is heart month, and it is never too late to start taking better care of our tickers! One employee knows firsthand how important it is to make eating and exercise a priority. I sat down with Jo Schmiesing so she could tell her story.
Walk me through what changed in your life to make you want to start your wellness journey.
“I didn’t have a come to Jesus moment. I felt lousy, and I wasn’t happy. I knew my lifestyle was to blame. I set out to make my journey not about losing weight but changing my eating habits. I started out by giving up fried food and pop. That came pretty easy to me, and then I started making gradual changes other places. Exercise came later. I didn’t know what I was doing. I knew for me to be consistent, I had to be able to workout at home. I bought a treadmill. Over time, I added more equipment, and consulted a trainer to help guide me. There were many setbacks (as we did this interview with a broken arm and ‘almost’ broken foot), but as my trainer says, you have one good foot and one good arm so we can still move.”
What is the greatest piece of advice you can offer someone that wants to start a healthier lifestyle journey?
“Don’t look at this as a sprint, rather a marathon. For me, it is (and will be) a very emotional ride. Just move. There is no right or wrong way, and if you need help, don’t be afraid to ask.”
On behalf of Jo and myself, we are here if you need help taking the first step to get started. Ken and Stacy are also very knowledgeable and great resources. We are so fortunate at SFM to have people who embody this lifestyle, so please- reach out if you need us. We are happy to help you on this lifestyle commitment.
We are so grateful to all of you for your commitment to SFM. We appreciate all of your hard work, and dedication to make the restaurants run. As always, if there is anything we can do to help you in your growth both personally and professionally, please reach out. Also, this is YOUR newsletter. Please let Lindsay or me know if there are any topics you would like us to address, or topics that interest you. We are happy to share it!
Get out and slay the day- YOU are WORTH IT!
Cindy Frantz
Recruitment/Community Relations
Exercise at Home
It can be difficult to get enough exercise through the brisk winter months.. unless you’re an extreme winter sports enthusiast who thrives on skis, snowboards or iceskates. And if that is you, I salute you because personally, I am not a fan of cold, wind, snow or sleet.
One of the BEST ways to get your heart pumping during these gloomy few months is walking! Who knew that the most basic human movement is one of the most beneficial for your heart and overall health?! Not only does walking reduce your stress, clear your mind, and boost your mood, it also improves your cholesteral and blood pressure levels and helps with weight loss. This is exactly why we implemented the Winter Step Challenge in February!
It is as easy as it sounds…walking. Just take a walk! Did you know that a brisk 20 minute walk per day will boost you from the “inactive” category and reduce your risk of an early death by 16 to 30 percent! But…winter… am I right? Sometimes it’s just too cold and windy. Or the sidewalks are slippery with ice. Even unseasonably warm temperatures can cause rainy conditions making you want to stay inside and hide under a warm blanket. There are ways to get a walk in without having to face the harsh winter weather!
Ways to walk indoors
March or walk in place.
This one might sounds boring… but you can watch your favorite TV or Netflix shows while walking in place.
Walk around your house.
Set your own pace by walking around your house if you’ve got a big enough place. Loop through rooms, around tables and furniture. You can even pick things up and tidy as you go along.
Don’t forget about the stairs.
Walking around the house is even better if you have stairs. Go up and down the stairs — carefully, of course. Go up two at time if you can, to really get your heart pumping.
Mall Walking or any store of your liking.
Most malls open early and allow mall walkers a safe place to walk early in the morning. Or you can peruse Target and make a mental wishlist while you get your steps in.
Find an indoor walking track.
Check out the gyms in your area to see if they have an indoor walking track. Your local high school, community college or university might have one available outside of school hours.
February is the season of LOVE! And wouldn’t you know it…we have multiple couples who work in our stores everyday! We talked with Jamey (GM at Tipp) and Zach (GM at Merily Way) about their love story and how they like to unwind after a day at work.
How did you two meet?
We went to high school together (Springboro)! We both graduated in 2010 but didn’t start dating until 2013. That’s 10 YEARS together!
Do you find yourselves bringing your work home with you?
What do you like to do for fun outside of work?
Interested in enrolling in CTU?
Logan Frantom, our Maintenance Technician at our Piqua West store has graduated from Colorado Technical University with his Associates of Science in Accounting! Logan is our FIRST employee to successfully complete the program through Archways to Opportunity and the FREE CTU program! He is now working towards his Bachelor’s Degree (still through CTU) and then wants to complete his certifications – all in Accounting!
Way to go Logan! Keep up the great work!
Personal Development
This isn’t the first time you’ve heard us recommend Jon Gordon to y’all. These two books were discussed in our most previous Strategic Planning Meeting with GM’s, so it only makes sense to share it with everyone.
In Row the Boat, P.J. Fleck and Jon Gordon deliver an inspiring message about what you can achieve when you approach life with a never-give-up philosophy. The book shows you how to choose enthusiasm and optimism as your guiding lights instead of being defined by circumstances and events outside of your control. This is a lesson that we can all learn – because everyone stresses about things beyond their control – especially at work!
The Coffee Bean is an illustrated fable by Jon Gordon and Damon West that teaches readers how to transform their environment, overcome challenges, and create positive change. A delightful, quick read, this book is purposely written and designed for readers of all ages so that everyone can benefit from this transformational lesson.
If you’re not a reader (it’s ok, not everyone is), try this app to access thousands of audiobooks, ebooks, comics, magazines, TV and more! It is called Hoopla and it is a free app that syncs across all of your devices. All you need is a library card! You can find a collection of Jon Gordon books on this app, as well as many more self-help/motivational titles!
Partners in Hope
Located in Troy, Ohio, Partners in Hope is a non-profit organization that exists to do just as its named, OFFER HOPE! For our employees, Partners in Hope is there to help those who cannot afford non-slip shoes, who need help getting copies of their birth certificate or state ID, who need help preparing their tax returns with no costly fee attached to it, and much more. They also offer educational classes to Miami County residents!
Through our faith as children of God, we build positive
relationships and develop partnerships to create an impact in
our community.
Faith
It is through our Faith in Christ that we choose to serve our community regardless of religious affiliation or belief.
Relationships
We value relationships based on trust, integrity, respect, and compassion.
Partnerships
It is our duty to the community to provide relevant programs that offer collaborative connections across diverse populations.
Benefits you’re missing out on!
The National Employee Discount!
As you know, as an employee of Scott Family McDonald’s, you get a FREE MEAL during each shift. That’s fantastic! But did you know that as an employee of McDonald’s, you can get a 30% discount nationwide at any participating McDonald’s?! Whether you are traveling long distance, visiting family or friends in a neighboring city, you can still get your favorite foods at a discounted price!
If this isn’t something that you are using already, sign up now! Talk to your manager about how to get it rolling. You must download the McDonald’s App and have an email address in eRestaurant. Click the button below to learn more!
WHERE TO FIND THE RIGHT CARE
As we discussed in the company meeting, here is a visual of the proper times to use the ER, UC and a minute clinic (the facilities in Kroger, and CVS). Hopefully these guides will help you in the future should you have to choose medical treatment.
Crew Member of the Year
Craig Long - Piqua West
Elizabeth Carr - Piqua East
Hunter Gillett - Greenville South
Jenny Ganger - Greenville North
Kevin Tunender - Brandt Pike
Paul Samera - Sidney
Tammy Arnold - Troy
Bri Reynoso - Merily Way
Aaliyah Johnson-Dennis - Towne Centre
Melissa Boone - Colonel Glenn
Kelsey Boyer - Bellefontaine South
Amber Sturgill - Kauffman
Michiah Flagler - Bellefontaine North
Stephen Angerer - Tipp City
Niki Routt - Broad St.
SLOW COOKER TURKEY CHILI
Ingredients
1 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 yellow onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
2 lb. ground turkey
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1/4 c. tomato paste
2 14.5 oz. cans fire roasted tomatoes
1 15 oz. can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 15 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 c. frozen corn kernels
1 1/2 c. chicken broth
2 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
Shredded pepper jack cheese, diced avocado, corn chips – optional
Directions
-
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and bell pepper and cook until tender, 8-10 minutes. Add the turkey and cook until no longer pink, 6-8 minutes. Add the garlic and tomato paste and cook 2 minutes.
- Transfer the turkey mixture to a slow cooker. Stir in tomatoes (with their juices), black and kidney beans, frozen corn kernels, chicken broth, chili powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, salt and black pepper. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours. Reduce heat to warm and serve out of the slow cooker.
- Garnish with cheese, avocado, and corn chips, if you like.
SLOW COOKER TURKEY CHILI
Ingredients
1 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 yellow onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
2 lb. ground turkey
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1/4 c. tomato paste
2 14.5 oz. cans fire roasted tomatoes
1 15 oz. can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 15 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 c. frozen corn kernels
1 1/2 c. chicken broth
2 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
Shredded pepper jack cheese, diced avocado, corn chips – optional
Directions
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and bell pepper and cook until tender, 8-10 minutes. Add the turkey and cook until no longer pink, 6-8 minutes. Add the garlic and tomato paste and cook 2 minutes.
- Transfer the turkey mixture to a slow cooker. Stir in tomatoes (with their juices), black and kidney beans, frozen corn kernels, chicken broth, chili powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, salt and black pepper. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours. Reduce heat to warm and serve out of the slow cooker.
- Garnish with cheese, avocado, and corn chips, if you like.
Are you Ready to Further your Education?
Archways to Opportunities gives you all of the resources you need to begin or continue your college education!
Archways To Opportunity
McDonald’s and its independent franchisees are committed to helping employees further their education and achieve their dreams.
To help individuals who work at a company-owned or independently franchised restaurant, we created Archways to Opportunity, a comprehensive education strategy with multiple programs that give people an opportunity to grow and learn – no matter where they are on their journey.
How do I earn my High School Diploma?
You can graduate from high school by taking classes online – whenever and wherever it’s convenient for you – through Career Online High School. And, you may be able to apply credits from high school courses you’ve already completed.
How do I choose an affordable path to college?
If you are ready to get started working toward your college degree, Archways to Opportunity® offers programs to help make your goals a reality – in a way that fits your lifestyle.
Our programs can help you explore educational opportunities while getting financial support to make your educational journey easier.
How do I figure out the right path for me?
Figuring out the next step in your education and career journey may feel like a lot. Bright Horizons EdAssist Solutions has Success Coaches who are available to help you identify your education needs, review your career goals and develop a plan for the future. Your coach will continue to support you throughout your experience to ensure that you successfully achieve your goals and complete your program.
How do I improve my English?
We want you to feel confident in all that you do. If you are bilingual, this includes being comfortable talking in English. Whether you are speaking to customers or staff, your voice should be heard. English Under the Arches® can help.
With the support of English Under the Arches, you can improve your English speaking, listening, reading and writing skills.
How do I earn my degree for free through CTU?
The Commitment Grant, along with maximizing Archways to Opportunity tuition assistance, covers 100% of eligible students’ online tuition, including eBooks and student fees, at CTU helping you to pursue your educational goals without the need for student loans.
Eligible students may utilize the Commitment Grant towards any Associate or Bachelor’s degree program offered at CTU.