Wellness in the Kingdom: A Scoop of Summer Nourishment

July is a time of sunshine, berry baskets, community parades—and a perfect opportunity to reconnect with what wellness truly means in the Northeast Kingdom. At NEKCOA, wellness isn’t just about exercise or eating right. It’s about feeling safe, supported, and connected. It’s about knowing someone is looking out for you. It’s about finding joy in small things—like fresh-picked blueberries and family stories passed from one generation to the next.

This month’s Scoop shares all of those elements and more, starting with a story from our registered dietitian, Alicia Armstrong, that reminds us how deeply healing simple moments can be.

From Garden to Table, and Heart to Heart

In “From Hazel’s Garden with Love,” Alicia writes about her daughter Hazel’s third birthday and their first strawberry harvest of the season. Hazel proudly showed off her garden, carefully picked berries, and thanked the plants as she filled her basket. Later, she brought some of the fruit to her grandparents—the same ones who gave them the original plants.

This kind of story might seem small, but it speaks to something we all need: connection, nourishment, and time to grow. Alicia reminds us that people, like plants, need time and care to heal. Whether you’re recovering from illness, managing chronic conditions, or simply feeling drained, healing starts with asking yourself some basic questions:

Am I getting enough water?

Am I getting sunlight?

Am I eating real, colorful food?

Am I giving myself enough rest?

Taking care of yourself is not a luxury—it’s essential. Alicia offers this reflection:

“May I be full of vibrant light, love, and energy.

May I fuel my body with real food.

May I be patient with myself.”

Movement that Meets You Where You Are

This month’s Scoop also highlights a simple movement exercise: Seated Marching in Place. You can do it from your favorite chair, and it helps with circulation, strength, and coordination. Even a few minutes of intentional movement each day can make a difference—physically and mentally.

Try it while listening to music, watching a show, or chatting with a friend. You don’t need fancy equipment or a gym to improve your health. You just need to start where you are.

Healthy Blueberry Muffins

The featured recipe this month is a healthy take on a classic: blueberry muffins made with whole wheat flour, oats, yogurt, and maple syrup or honey. It’s a recipe that’s easy to make and worth sharing.

Blueberries aren’t just delicious—they’re Vermont’s official state fruit. Packed with antioxidants and grown in our own rocky soil, they’re part of our natural heritage and a seasonal treat that supports overall health.

A Thoughtful Reminder About Meals

Each home-delivered meal we provide is carefully prepared and coordinated through your local senior meal site. There is never a charge, but the average cost to provide a meal is $10.75. If you’re able to make a contribution—of any size—it goes a long way.

You can give directly to your driver, mail a check to your meal site, or send it to NEKCOA and we’ll ensure it reaches the right place. These contributions help us continue feeding our community and reaching those who need us most.

The Spirit of Vermont: Independent, Resilient, and Rooted in Justice

While many Americans celebrate July 4th as the birth of our nation, Vermonters have our own proud and often overlooked story of independence.

In 1777—just one year after the Declaration of Independence was signed—Vermont declared itself a free and independent republic. Not just from Great Britain, but also from the neighboring claims of New York and New Hampshire. Frustrated by disputed land grants, taxation without representation, and a desire to govern ourselves, Vermont boldly stepped out on its own.

That same year, our newly formed republic adopted the first written constitution in North America to outlaw slavery. Long before Vermont joined the Union in 1791, we were already setting a moral example—prioritizing freedom, fairness, and community above all else.

For 14 years, Vermont operated as its own country. We had our own postal system, minted our own coins, and negotiated land deals and treaties. It was grassroots governance at its best: practical, locally driven, and deeply committed to protecting the people who called these mountains and valleys home.

That independent spirit is still alive today—and it’s part of what we aim to honor in every issue of The Scoop. Whether we're sharing a healthy recipe, a movement tip, or a heartfelt story from someone’s garden, The Scoop is about nurturing the same values Vermont was founded on: resilience, resourcefulness, and care for community.

When we talk about Wellness in the Kingdom, we’re not just talking about good food or low-impact exercise. We’re talking about living with dignity and purpose in a place that values independence—but never isolation.

The Northeast Kingdom has always done things a little differently—and we like it that way. We’re thoughtful. We’re compassionate. And when challenges come our way, we don’t wait for someone else to fix it. We show up. We help. We keep going.

Whether you were born here or found your way here later in life, when you live in this region, you become part of a long tradition of doing what’s right for your neighbors—not because it’s easy, but because it’s who we are.

We’re Always Here to Help

Whether it’s meals, Medicare questions, caregiver support, wellness classes, or just someone to talk to about your options—NEKCOA is here for you. Even if you don’t need help right now, someone you know might.

Call us at 800-642-5119 or email info@nekcouncil.org.

We’re always ready to listen, support, and connect you with what you need.

Let’s keep wellness growing—this month and all year long.

July 2025

July is a time of sunshine, berry baskets, community parades—and a perfect opportunity to reconnect with what wellness truly means in the Northeast Kingdom. At NEKCOA, wellness isn’t just about exercise or eating right. It’s about feeling safe, supported, and connected. It’s about knowing someone is looking out for you. It’s about finding joy in small things—like fresh-picked blueberries and family stories passed from one generation to the next.

This month’s Scoop shares all of those elements and more, starting with a story from our registered dietitian, Alicia Armstrong, that reminds us how deeply healing simple moments can be.

From Garden to Table, and Heart to Heart

In “From Hazel’s Garden with Love,” Alicia writes about her daughter Hazel’s third birthday and their first strawberry harvest of the season. Hazel proudly showed off her garden, carefully picked berries, and thanked the plants as she filled her basket. Later, she brought some of the fruit to her grandparents—the same ones who gave them the original plants.

This kind of story might seem small, but it speaks to something we all need: connection, nourishment, and time to grow. Alicia reminds us that people, like plants, need time and care to heal. Whether you’re recovering from illness, managing chronic conditions, or simply feeling drained, healing starts with asking yourself some basic questions:

Am I getting enough water?
Am I getting sunlight?
Am I eating real, colorful food?
Am I giving myself enough rest?

Taking care of yourself is not a luxury—it’s essential. Alicia offers this reflection:
“May I be full of vibrant light, love, and energy.
May I fuel my body with real food.
May I be patient with myself.”

Movement that Meets You Where You Are

This month’s Scoop also highlights a simple movement exercise: Seated Marching in Place. You can do it from your favorite chair, and it helps with circulation, strength, and coordination. Even a few minutes of intentional movement each day can make a difference—physically and mentally.

Try it while listening to music, watching a show, or chatting with a friend. You don’t need fancy equipment or a gym to improve your health. You just need to start where you are.

Healthy Blueberry Muffins

The featured recipe this month is a healthy take on a classic: blueberry muffins made with whole wheat flour, oats, yogurt, and maple syrup or honey. It’s a recipe that’s easy to make and worth sharing.

Blueberries aren’t just delicious—they’re Vermont’s official state fruit. Packed with antioxidants and grown in our own rocky soil, they’re part of our natural heritage and a seasonal treat that supports overall health.

A Thoughtful Reminder About Meals

Each home-delivered meal we provide is carefully prepared and coordinated through your local senior meal site. There is never a charge, but the average cost to provide a meal is $10.75. If you’re able to make a contribution—of any size—it goes a long way.

You can give directly to your driver, mail a check to your meal site, or send it to NEKCOA and we’ll ensure it reaches the right place. These contributions help us continue feeding our community and reaching those who need us most.

The Spirit of Vermont

July is also a good time to celebrate Vermont’s independent roots. While the rest of the colonies declared independence in 1776, Vermont declared its own independence in 1777—not just from Britain, but from New York and New Hampshire. We even became the first state to outlaw slavery. We operated as our own republic for 14 years before officially joining the United States in 1791.

That independent spirit continues today—in the way we care for one another, advocate for our neighbors, and show up when times get hard.

We’re Always Here to Help

Whether it’s meals, Medicare questions, caregiver support, wellness classes, or just someone to talk to about your options—NEKCOA is here for you. Even if you don’t need help right now, someone you know might.

Call us at 800-642-5119 or email info@nekcouncil.org.

We’re always ready to listen, support, and connect you with what you need.



Let’s keep wellness growing—this month and all year long.now might.