Enrollment for the popular Mini ’Canes Recreational Sports Camp is now open to the University community. The camp is for boys and girls ages 6 through 12. Daily activities vary from swimming lessons to arts and crafts. All activities take place inside the Herbert Wellness Center and on the Yaron Intramural Field. The camp offers four two-week sessions, with the first session starting Monday, June 14. Before-care and after-care are also available. To register, visit the Herbert Wellness Center, Room 210, between 8:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call 305-284-8510 or log onto the Web site for camp information and forms.

Chef Lori is baking some pies at the Herbert Wellness Center instructional kitchen—pizza pies, that is. On the menu: barbeque chicken and pepper pizza, Thai chicken pizza, and dessert pizza. The cost of this cooking class is only $25 for UM student members, $30 for non-student members, and $35 for non-members. The class will be held on Sunday, March 7 from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. The cost includes cooking demonstration, recipes, and food tasting. To register, call the Wellness Suite at 305-284-LIFE (5433) or stop by the second floor of the Herbert Wellness Center.

Do you want to add some new, exciting dishes to your current recipes? Then sign up for Chef Lori’s Farmer’s Market Cooking Class, featuring Asian japonica rice salad with edamame, cashew tomatillo sauce, and cauliflower with ginger-cashew onion sauce. The cost is only $25 for UM student members, $30 for non-student members, and $35 for non-members. The class will be held on Wednesday, March 10 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The cost includes cooking demonstration, recipes, and food tasting. To register, call the Wellness Suite at 305-284-LIFE (5433) or stop by the second floor of the Herbert Wellness Center.

The University of Miami has taken a major step to boost the health of and decrease the chances of serious illness among its workers and their family members: an extensive employee wellness program that includes educational, preventive, and fitness components.

Fitness programs and exercise classes at both the Coral Gables Herbert Wellness Center and the Miller School campus Medical Wellness Center are a component of the new Well ’Canes program.

Vending machines that dispense bananas, apples, and oranges. Bundled meals of healthy, low-calorie foods that come with a bottle of water. A health coach who calls you at home to remind and encourage you to maintain a proper diet and exercise regimen.

Programs, perks, and amenities usually found only in high-end health clubs have now found their way to the University of Miami. The institution has taken a major step toward improving the overall health of its workers and their family members, rolling out a new employee wellness program that includes everything from cooking and exercise classes to free preventive care measures.

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The Herbert Wellness Center offers noncredit instructional classes that are open to everyone—you do not have to be a member to sign up. Think of friends and family who would enjoy taking a class with you: Salsa, Pilates, belly dancing. Registration is open until Friday, February 5. To sign up, go to the Wellness Suite located on the second floor. If you have any questions, please call 305-284-LIFE (5433).

Would you know what to do in a medical emergency? Do you need CPR certification or re-certification? Then check out the emergency care courses offered at the Herbert Wellness Center. The classes range from CPR instruction without certification (Family and Friends CPR) to Basic Life Support (BLS) for health care providers. To register for any of the classes, call 305-284-5433 or stop by the Wellness Suite located on the second floor.

Check out the menus in the cooking classes offered at the Herbert Wellness Center. Chef Lori has put together a series that is sure to please every palate. Recipes range from economical eating for vegetarians to Thai chicken pizza. The cost per class is $25 for student members, $30 for non-student members, and $35 for non-members. Purchase a three-class series at the same time and receive a 10 percent discount. Cost includes hands-on cooking instruction, recipes, and food tasting. Make sure to bring a container for leftovers. The first class featuring chicken, roasted vegetables, and chocolate cake is Thursday, February 4 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Class size is limited. Call 305-284-5433 to register.

Did you gain a few pounds over the holidays? Did you make a resolution to get more exercise this year? Are you interested in having lunch with President Shalala? These are just three great reasons to register for the Sixth Annual Walking Canes program. This year’s competition features an upgraded pedometer for the most accurate step counts. The top 10 winners will have lunch with President Shalala at the Faculty Club, compliments of Chartwells. Walking Canes is open to all University faculty and staff. Online registration is January 18 through January 22; pedometer pickup is January 25 through January 29. If you have any questions, please call the Wellness Suite at 305-284-5433 (Gables/RMSAS employees) or 305-243-7600 (Miller School of Medicine employees). You may also send an e-mail to wellnesscenter@miami.edu.

The next 12-week Weight Watchers at Work course begins today, Thursday, January 7 at 12 p.m. in the Coral Gables campus Herbert Wellness Center. Learn about the new Momentum Program, which helps you choose wisely with the Weight Watcher Points System. Any food can be used on the Momentum Program, a fresh approach to weight loss that teaches you how to handle and beat temptation by choosing healthy and delicious foods. Meetings are held every Wednesday at each location. The cost of the program is $123 for new members and $109 for continuing members. First-time attendees are eligible for 100 percent reimbursement for complete attendance. If this is your second Weight Watchers at Work at UM, you are eligible for a 50 percent reimbursement if you attend all 12 sessions. To learn more about the program, visit www.miami.edu/wellcanes.

During the Thanksgiving holiday, the Herbert Wellness Center will operate a reduced schedule as follows:

• Wednesday, November 25: facility will close at 6 p.m.
• Thursday, November 26: CLOSED
• Friday, November 27 – Sunday, November 29: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The Herbert Wellness Center will resume regular hours on Monday, November 30. If you have any questions, please call 305-284-8500.