Seedless Raspberry Sauce

This recipe takes out the fiber, but leaves a big, concentrated raspberry flavor. You can add it to a vinaigrette salad dressing or layer it with strawberry preserves and whipped cream in a cocktail glass.

Ingredientsrasberry

  • 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen raspberries
  • 1/4 cup sugar (or 3 tbsp. granulated sugar substitute)
  • 1 tsp. lemon juice

Directions

Bring berries, sugar (or sweetener), and lemon juice to a boil. Let thicken and cool slightly. Press mixture through a fine strainer. This will take patience and about 20 minutes of mashing, but you will be rewarded with a rich, seedless sauce. Discard seeds.

Makes about 1/2 cup

Each tablespoon serving contains about 37 calories, 0 g fat, 0 g cholesterol, 0 g sodium, 9 g carbohydrate, 0 g dietary fiber, 7 g sugars, and 0 g protein.

Recipe from the StayWell Company, LLC.

Title & Total Compensation Project Update – August, 2019

https___www.wisconsinThe University of Wisconsin (UW) is embarking on a complete redesign of its current classification and compensation structure. The goal of the Title and Total Compensation Project will be to develop new systems that will enable institutions to continue to attract and retain the best talent.

Recently, the Office of Human Resources and Workforce Diversity held open forums for employees and managers. To view the open forum presentation, please click here.

For Title & Total Compensation Project background information related to job titles, job descriptions, compensation, and benefits, please see this August, 2019 updated handout.

Managers and Division Leaders – would you like a poster for your area about Title & Total Compensation Project? Please print off this poster and showcase within your department!

Recent UW System Updates:

Titles and Job Descriptions

    • Review of the draft titles and standard job descriptions is complete! The job titles and standard job descriptions will remain in draft form until after employee-manager conversations December 1, 2019 through February 15, 2020.

    • The next step is job mapping. UW System Human Resources will provide a proposed match for each current job title to an updated job title and job description. Job mapping will then take place at the institutional level where UW-Green Bay human resources will work with divisional leaders to match each employee’s current job title to a new job title, utilizing the job mapping crosswalk. Work on job mapping will wrap up during the fall of 2019.

    • Job mapping will lead to a process of discussions where employees will review their updated job title and standard job description with managers during winter 2019-2020. Compensation will not be discussed during these employee/manager conversations.

    • While job titles and job descriptions may change, employees will not lose their jobs, employees will not need to reapply for their jobs, and the work done by employees will not change.

Benefits

    • UW partnered with Mercer Consulting to compare UW benefits to what other employers with similar workforces are offering.

    • A summary of the benefits analysis preliminary findings will be available to employees in the fall of 2019.

    • Based on the Mercer benefits analysis and stakeholder input, the project team will recommend a benefits strategy to enhance UW benefits offerings and help keep UW competitive within the market.

    • Changes to current benefits offerings are out of scope of this project and subject to Board of Regents and legislature reviews and approvals.

Compensation

    • This project creates the foundation for a market informed UW compensation structure for leadership to identify compensation issues and advocate for employees, but does not directly address compensation issues.

    • After the title structure is finalized in March 2020. the compensation structure can be finalized, which means that job titles will have updated salary ranges. More details will be forthcoming in March 2020 about updated salary range. Employee pay will not be cut. Employee pay will also not be increased as a part of this project. Any increases in pay are out of scope of this project and would need to be funded and planned over time by leadership.

    • Work is still being done to determine and document all of the methods for pay adjustments and career development that will be available in the future

In the Queue:

  • Summary of Results for the Employee Benefits Preferences Survey & Benefits Value Analysis, estimated completion: September 2019 (Q3)
  • Proposed Titles and Standard Job Descriptions Posted Online, estimated completion: December 2019 (Q3)
  • Titles and Standard Job Descriptions Implementation, estimated completion: March 2020 (Q1)

For up-to-date information about the Title & Total Compensation Project, please see the UW System Title & Total Compensation Project website. Answers to frequently asked questions can be found on the UW System FAQ page.

UW-Green Bay Updates:

  • UW-Green Bay HR has started conversations with University Staff and Academic Staff governance groups related to a potential appeals process for title determinations.
  • UW-Green Bay has an institutional T&TC project team, whose goal is to engage with subject matter experts and stakeholders. Feedback and information about T&TC flows to and from the project team. A listing of members of the UW-Green Bay institutional T&TC project team can be found here.

Eggplant Parmesan Sandwiches

Ingredients

  • 4 eggplant slices, each 3/4-inch thickeggplant sandwich
  • 1/4 cup no-cholesterol egg substitute
  • 1/3 cup dry bread crumbs
  • 2 tablespoons grated fat-free Parmesan cheese
  • Vegetable cooking spray
  • 4 ounces fat-free mozzarella cheese, sliced
  • 2 roasted red peppers, cut into halves
  • 4 Italian rolls or hoagie buns, toasted
  • 2 cups tomato pasta sauce

Directions

  • Combine bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese in bowl. Dip eggplant slices in egg substitute, then coat generously with the breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese.
  • Spray a large skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium heat until hot. Saute eggplant slices over a medium-high heat until browned, about 5 minutes. Spray eggplant with cooking spray and turn over; cook until tender, about 5 more minutes.
  • Top each eggplant slice with 1 ounce cheese; cook, covered, until cheese is melted, about 3 to 4 minutes.
  • Place red peppers on bottoms of rolls; top with eggplant, pasta sauce, and roll tops.

Serves 4

  • Each serving contains approximately 262 calories, 2.2 g fat, 0 mg cholesterol, and 765 mg sodium.

 

Recipe from the StayWell Company, LLC.

Let the Music Play, and Stress May go Away!

According to a recent study, such slow, meditative music can help your body relax. How?

  • Music can affect breathing, heart rate, and even emotions.relax and listen
  • When you turn on the tunes, make the most of them by getting in the right frame of mind.
  • Imagine something pleasant or relaxing when you listen. Or think of nothing at all.

This type of quiet reflection may help the troubles of the day melt away.

So today, set aside some time to pick out some meditative music for your next meditation session.

 

Article from the StayWell Company, LLC

Picnic Potato Salad

(Gluten-free, gout-friendly)

Ingredients

Salad:

  • 1 pound red potatoes, washed and cut into 1-inch wedges
  • 1/2 cup red onions, thin-slicedpotato salad
  • 1/2 pound green beans, snapped in half
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomato halves
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil

Rosemary vinaigrette:

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped

Directions

Preheat oven to 425°F. When oven is hot, put 1 teaspoon olive oil onto baking sheet. Heat for about 2 minutes and spread potatoes in a single layer on pan. Roast for 10 minutes; turn with spatula. Roast 10 minutes more, or until golden brown and tender. While potatoes are roasting, steam beans using a steamer inserted into a pot of boiling water. Cook about 5 minutes, or until bright green. Drop sun-dried tomato halves into the boiling water used to steam beans. When tomatoes are plump, cool and cut into bite-sized pieces. Sliced red onion can be put into cold water for milder taste. Drain. To prepare rosemary vinaigrette, put all ingredients into small jar. Shake until combined.

Assemble all ingredients, including fresh rosemary. Top with rosemary vinaigrette, mixing well.

Serves 6

Each serving contains about 131 calories, 19 g carbohydrates, 3 g protein, 5 g fat, 111 mg sodium, and 3 g fiber.

To make this recipe gluten free, use only spices or condiments that are gluten-free. Read food labels carefully and contact the company if you have any questions.

 

Recipe from the StayWell Company, LLC.

Work on Key Projects When You’re Most Productive

The key to preventing stress is to find ways to reduce the stressors in your life and to counteract stress with activities that provide balance and peace of mind. Try this suggestion today to help you reduce and manage your stress.

reduce stress

At Work: Work on key projects when you’re most productive. If you’re a morning person, do your most challenging work before lunch. Do less stressful tasks, such as returning phone calls and filing, after lunch.

 

Article from the StayWell Company, LLC

Tortilla Pizzas

Did you know that your kids are more likely to gain weight during the summer than while they’re in school?

Help your kids maintain a healthy weight this summer by keeping them active and trying some new low-calorie, kid-friendly recipes. This one provides 1 cup of healthy vegetables per serving!

Ingredientstortilla pizza

  • 12 small corn or flour tortillas
  • Vegetable oil
  • 1 16-oz. can refried beans
  • 1/4 cup chopped onion
  • 2 oz. canned green chili peppers, diced (optional)
  • 6 tbsp. red taco sauce
  • 3 cups chopped vegetables, such as broccoli, mushrooms, spinach, and bell peppers
  • 1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Directions

Brush 1 side of each of 2 tortillas with water. Press the wet sides of the tortillas together to form a thick crust for the pizza. Brush the outside of the tortillas with a small amount of vegetable oil. Evenly brown both sides in a heated frying pan. Repeat with the rest of the tortillas. Set aside.

Heat refried beans, chopped onion, and half of the diced chili peppers together in a medium saucepan, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.

Spread about 1/3 cup of the bean mixture on each tortilla pizza. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon taco sauce, then top with 1/2 cup chopped vegetables, 1 teaspoon of diced chili peppers if desired, and 1 tablespoon of shredded cheese for each pizza.

Return to frying pan and heat until cheese melts. Serve immediately.

Makes 6 servings

Each serving contains 270 calories, 7 g fat, 5 mg cholesterol, 370 mg sodium, and 42 g carbohydrates.

 

Recipe from the StayWell Company, LLC.

Relationship Between Sleep and Weight

The amount of sleep you get each night may be hampering your ability to lose weight. A number of studies have found a strong connection between lack of sleep and increased weight gain. Unfortunately, people who carry excess weight are already at a higher risk for sleep problems—creating a destructive cycle of weight gain. Studies show that getting less than 7 hours at night can affect weight gain. And the greater the sleep deficit, the higher the chance of weight problems.

If you’re not getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night, it’s time to take action. Don’t make your weight loss goals more difficult thrsleep and weightough lack of sleep. If you have trouble sleeping, try out one of these tactics today.

  • Establish a sleep-wake cycle by going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, even on weekends.
  • Increase exercise levels during the day, but refrain from physical activity at least 3 hours before bedtime.
  • If you nap, keep it to less than 1 hour, and don’t nap after 3 p.m.
  • Stay away from caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine for 6 to 8 hours before sleep.
  • Create a relaxing bedtime routine. Take a warm bath, read for 30 minutes, or listen to soft music.

If these tips don’t help get your sleep back on track—or if you still feel sleepy during the day despite a full night’s rest—call your healthcare provider. You may have a sleep disorder.

 

Article from the StayWell Company, LLC

WRS Contribution Rates to Increase in 2020

The Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF) recently announced that the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) employee and employer contribution rates will increase slightly effective January 1, 2020. WRS rates are evaluated and adjusted annually.

The slight increase is due to lower than expected Core Trust Fund investment performance and economic assumption changes that were approved by the ETF Board in December, 2018.

Contribution increase and decrease fluctuations are considered normal for retirement systems like the WRS that pre-fund retirement benefits. For example, WRS contribution rates in 2019 were lowered due to favorable investment performance.

UW System employee contribution rates are determined by employment category. Most UW employees are in the General/Teacher/Executive category. Employees with law enforcement or public protection duties (police officers, fire fighters) are in the Protective category.

WRScontributionRt

The 2020 contribution rates will apply to all paychecks paid in 2020; beginning with the January 2, 2020 paycheck for Faculty, Academic Staff and Limited Appointees paid monthly, and the January 2, 2020 paycheck for University staff paid bi-weekly. As a reminder, WRS contributions are taken on a pre-tax basis for state and federal tax purposes.

For more information, visit the WRS webpage on the UW System Employee Benefits website.

Source: UW System Human Resources

Submit Fiscal Year 2018-19 Leave Reports by September 2019

Faculty, Academic Staff and Limited appointees who have an active leave-eligible appointment are required to submit a leave report each month, whether or not leave is used. This is a reminder that all Leave Reports for fiscal year July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019 must be submitted by September 2019.

Failure to submit all leave reports for the 2018-19 fiscal year by September 2019 will result in a reduction of employee sick leave hours. Even one unsubmitted leave report may reduce an employee’s sick leave balance. To review this policy:

Leave reports may be submitted electronically via the MyUW portal. Paper leave reports may also be submitted. Visit the Time and Absence Help Pages for assistance with reporting leave.

If you have questions, please contact payrollandbenefits@uwgb.edu or (920) 465-2390.

Source: UW Service Center