A free webinar entitled Retirement in Hard Times will be held on October 25, 2011 at 10 a.m. CDT (11 a.m. CDT).
Journalist and author, Mark Miller, will discuss related information from his book, The Hard Times Guide to Retirement Security: Practical Strategies for Money, Work and Living. He will also outline the key trends affecting Boomers and their personal finances, career and lifestyles.
The ever-blooming Baby Boomer generation is rapidly entering the retirement stage, just when the economy seems to have bottomed out. The housing crash, growing jobless rate and faltering entitlement programs, alon with a volatile stock market have only added to the problems those over 50 face today. Boomers are struggling to keep up during this prolonged economic challenge.
To attend this webinar, visit Boomer Authority™ at: http://boomerauthority.ning.com and join the site. Then click HERE to sign up for this on-line event.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Friday, July 8, 2011
The Joy of Being a Baby Boomer
It's been fun being a baby boomer... until now! Some of the artists of the 60's are revising their hits with new lyrics to accommodate aging Baby Boomers and I'm sure you can identify with some of them.
They include:
Herman's Hermits--- Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Walker
Ringo Starr --- I Get By With a Little Help From Depends
The Bee Gees --- How Can You Mend a Broken Hip?
Bobby Darin --- Splish, Splash, I Was Havin' a Flash
Roberta Flack --- The First Time Ever I Forgot Your Face
Johnny Nash - -- I Can't See Clearly Now!
Paul Simon--- Fifty Ways to Lose Your Liver
The Commodores--- Once, Twice, Th ree Times to the Bathroom
Marvin Gaye ---Heard It Through the Grape Nuts
Procol Harem--- A Whiter Shade of Hair
Leo Sayer --- You Make Me Feel Like Napping
The Temptations--- Papa's Got a Kidney Stone
Abba --- Denture Queen
Tony Orlando--- Knock 3 Times On The Ceiling If You Hear Me Fall
Helen Reddy--- I Am Woman, Hear Me Snore
Leslie Gore --- It's My Procedure, and I'll Cry If I Want Too!
An d my favorite:
Willie Nelson--- On the Commode Again
They include:
Herman's Hermits--- Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Walker
Ringo Starr --- I Get By With a Little Help From Depends
The Bee Gees --- How Can You Mend a Broken Hip?
Bobby Darin --- Splish, Splash, I Was Havin' a Flash
Roberta Flack --- The First Time Ever I Forgot Your Face
Johnny Nash - -- I Can't See Clearly Now!
Paul Simon--- Fifty Ways to Lose Your Liver
The Commodores--- Once, Twice, Th ree Times to the Bathroom
Marvin Gaye ---Heard It Through the Grape Nuts
Procol Harem--- A Whiter Shade of Hair
Leo Sayer --- You Make Me Feel Like Napping
The Temptations--- Papa's Got a Kidney Stone
Abba --- Denture Queen
Tony Orlando--- Knock 3 Times On The Ceiling If You Hear Me Fall
Helen Reddy--- I Am Woman, Hear Me Snore
Leslie Gore --- It's My Procedure, and I'll Cry If I Want Too!
An d my favorite:
Willie Nelson--- On the Commode Again
ONLY A GRANDMOTHER WOULD KNOW...
~A Cup of Tea ~
One day my Gramma was out and my Grampa was in charge of me.
I was maybe 2 1/2 years old. Someone had given me a little 'tea set' as a gift and it was one of my favorite toys.
Grampa was in the living room engrossed in the evening news when I brought him a little cup of 'tea' that was just water. After several cups of tea and lots of praise for such yummy tea, my Gramma came home.
My Grampa made her wait in the living room to watch me bring him a cup of tea, because it was 'just the cutest thing!' Gramma waited and sure enough I came down the hall with a cup of tea for Grampa and she watched him drink it up.
Then she said,(as only a gramma would know) "Did it ever occur to you that the only place she can reach to get water, is the toilet?"
I was maybe 2 1/2 years old. Someone had given me a little 'tea set' as a gift and it was one of my favorite toys.
Grampa was in the living room engrossed in the evening news when I brought him a little cup of 'tea' that was just water. After several cups of tea and lots of praise for such yummy tea, my Gramma came home.
My Grampa made her wait in the living room to watch me bring him a cup of tea, because it was 'just the cutest thing!' Gramma waited and sure enough I came down the hall with a cup of tea for Grampa and she watched him drink it up.
Then she said,(as only a gramma would know) "Did it ever occur to you that the only place she can reach to get water, is the toilet?"
Grandma Still Drives - Gotta Love It!
Grandma is eighty-eight years old and still drives her own car. She writes:
Dear Granddaughter,
The other day I went up to our local Christian book store and saw a 'Honk if you love Jesus' bumper sticker.
I was feeling particularly sassy that day because I had just come from a thrilling choir performance, followed by a thunderous prayer meeting.
So, I bought the sticker and put it on my bumper.
Boy, am I glad I did! What an uplifting experience followed.
I was stopped at a red light at a busy intersection, just lost in thought about the Lord and how good he is, and I didn't notice that the light had changed.
It is a good thing someone else loves Jesus because if he hadn't honked, I'd never have noticed.
I found that lots of people love Jesus!
While I was sitting there, the guy behind me started honking like crazy, and then he leaned out of his window and screamed, 'For the love of God!'
'Go! Go! Go! Jesus Christ, GO!'
What an exuberant cheerleader he was for Jesus!
Everyone started honking!
I just leaned out my window and started waving and smiling at all those loving people.
I even honked my horn a few times to share in the love!
There must have been a man from Florida back there because I heard him yelling something about a sunny beach.
I saw another guy waving in a funny way with only his middle finger stuck up in the air.
I asked my young teenage grandson in the back seat what that meant.
He said it was probably a Hawaiian good luck sign or something.
Well, I have never met anyone from Hawaii , so I leaned out the window and gave him the good luck sign right back.
My grandson burst out laughing. Why, even he was enjoying this religious experience!
A couple of the people were so caught up in the joy of the moment that they got out of their cars and started walking towards me.
I bet they wanted to pray or ask what church I attended, but this is when I noticed the light had changed.
So, grinning, I waved at all my brothers and sisters, and drove on through the intersection.
I noticed that I was the only car that got through the intersection before the light changed again and felt kind of sad that I had to leave them after all the love we had shared.
So I slowed the car down, leaned out the window and gave them all the Hawaiian good luck sign one last time as I drove away. Praise the Lord for such wonderful folks!
Will write again soon.
Love, Grandma
The other day I went up to our local Christian book store and saw a 'Honk if you love Jesus' bumper sticker.
I was feeling particularly sassy that day because I had just come from a thrilling choir performance, followed by a thunderous prayer meeting.
So, I bought the sticker and put it on my bumper.
Boy, am I glad I did! What an uplifting experience followed.
I was stopped at a red light at a busy intersection, just lost in thought about the Lord and how good he is, and I didn't notice that the light had changed.
It is a good thing someone else loves Jesus because if he hadn't honked, I'd never have noticed.
I found that lots of people love Jesus!
While I was sitting there, the guy behind me started honking like crazy, and then he leaned out of his window and screamed, 'For the love of God!'
'Go! Go! Go! Jesus Christ, GO!'
What an exuberant cheerleader he was for Jesus!
Everyone started honking!
I just leaned out my window and started waving and smiling at all those loving people.
I even honked my horn a few times to share in the love!
There must have been a man from Florida back there because I heard him yelling something about a sunny beach.
I saw another guy waving in a funny way with only his middle finger stuck up in the air.
I asked my young teenage grandson in the back seat what that meant.
He said it was probably a Hawaiian good luck sign or something.
Well, I have never met anyone from Hawaii , so I leaned out the window and gave him the good luck sign right back.
My grandson burst out laughing. Why, even he was enjoying this religious experience!
A couple of the people were so caught up in the joy of the moment that they got out of their cars and started walking towards me.
I bet they wanted to pray or ask what church I attended, but this is when I noticed the light had changed.
So, grinning, I waved at all my brothers and sisters, and drove on through the intersection.
I noticed that I was the only car that got through the intersection before the light changed again and felt kind of sad that I had to leave them after all the love we had shared.
So I slowed the car down, leaned out the window and gave them all the Hawaiian good luck sign one last time as I drove away. Praise the Lord for such wonderful folks!
Will write again soon.
Love, Grandma
Monday, June 6, 2011
How to Preserve your Precious Memories
Good memories are something that we cherish and want to hang onto into our golden years. There are many ways to ensure that your memories are close at hand and still fresh in your heart. Shown here is my original birth certificate from 1949. You may notice that the name is different. That’s because I was adopted when I was 8 years old and my name was changed. However, I will always have this document as proof of my true roots.
Remember days past when we stuffed photos in albums and then stacked those albums in a cupboard or under the coffee table? Some of them probably look pretty faded by now. I know I still have some pictures I took with a Brownie camera that are in pretty rough shape. With new technologies, those old photos can be restored. At one time, you needed a professional to do this for you. Not any more! As long as you have a computer, scanner and a graphics program, you can do it yourself. For full instructions on how to do this go Here. Once you have recreated your old photos, you can print them out, store them in a digital album on line or email them to family and friends.
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Remember days past when we stuffed photos in albums and then stacked those albums in a cupboard or under the coffee table? Some of them probably look pretty faded by now. I know I still have some pictures I took with a Brownie camera that are in pretty rough shape. With new technologies, those old photos can be restored. At one time, you needed a professional to do this for you. Not any more! As long as you have a computer, scanner and a graphics program, you can do it yourself. For full instructions on how to do this go Here. Once you have recreated your old photos, you can print them out, store them in a digital album on line or email them to family and friends.
The photo shown here is of my birth mother, whom I was separated from when I was 2 years old. She is holding one of my brothers. This photo was given to me by one of my sisters whom I met when I was 32. It is the only one I have of her and I treasure it dearly. I used free Photo Impressions software to scan and capture the photo. The photo was quite faded so I manipulated the color and sharpness to get the best copy I could.
Another way to store those memories is to burn them onto a CD. However, be aware that technology changes rapidly and no one knows just how long it will be before CDs are no longer useable. Remember all the video footage you took years ago? Now videocassettes are rapidly becoming passé. Even printing out restored photos does not guarantee they will be around for the next 100 years. The quality of the photo paper you buy is just not the same as that used in a photo lab. However, you can extend the life of your photos by keeping them in a dry, cool place away from sunlight. I have a large memory box in which I keep my most important pictures. Some people prefer to create a special scrapbook. For more information on scrapbooking go Here. You can also take your very best photos as I do and frame them. And if you’re really worried about preserving a few of your oldest photos, put them in a safety deposit box at the bank.
Another way to store those memories is to burn them onto a CD. However, be aware that technology changes rapidly and no one knows just how long it will be before CDs are no longer useable. Remember all the video footage you took years ago? Now videocassettes are rapidly becoming passé. Even printing out restored photos does not guarantee they will be around for the next 100 years. The quality of the photo paper you buy is just not the same as that used in a photo lab. However, you can extend the life of your photos by keeping them in a dry, cool place away from sunlight. I have a large memory box in which I keep my most important pictures. Some people prefer to create a special scrapbook. For more information on scrapbooking go Here. You can also take your very best photos as I do and frame them. And if you’re really worried about preserving a few of your oldest photos, put them in a safety deposit box at the bank.
“Remember me in the family tree My name, my days, my strife;
Then I'll ride upon the wings of time And live an endless life."
Then I'll ride upon the wings of time And live an endless life."
Linda Goetsch
An interesting new site is The Family Post where family members can add their photos, create slideshows, share videos, and even create a family newsletter. The site also has a real-time message board where you can communicate with other family members.
Another way to preserve your memories is to write a biography or your memoirs in a journal to be kept for posterity. A new product available is the Memorygrabber, an ebook specifically designed to help you write your life story. However, you can also create your own ebook if you have a PDF maker that converts Microsoft Word files. Once complete, you can either print it out or burn it to a CD and take it to a printer for them to do it for you.
Preserving memories is a wonderful way to pass on a family’s history to future generations through pictures and the written word. It will also ensure that a part of you remains forever in the memory of your children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and who knows how far into the future? Start preserving your memories today.
Another way to preserve your memories is to write a biography or your memoirs in a journal to be kept for posterity. A new product available is the Memorygrabber, an ebook specifically designed to help you write your life story. However, you can also create your own ebook if you have a PDF maker that converts Microsoft Word files. Once complete, you can either print it out or burn it to a CD and take it to a printer for them to do it for you.
Preserving memories is a wonderful way to pass on a family’s history to future generations through pictures and the written word. It will also ensure that a part of you remains forever in the memory of your children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and who knows how far into the future? Start preserving your memories today.
Life After Retirement: Starting A Business
Older entrepreneurs are rewriting the book on retirement. There are no rules, just fun! If you are looking for renewed purpose, starting your own business may be right for you.
Many of us are looking forward to retirement – that time where we can leave the rat race behind for good, sleep late and do what we want – all while still collecting a check. It sounds like the epilogue to the American Dream, a suitable ending to a fairytale life. However, things rarely work out quite that way.
Pensions and Social Security don’t seem to pay enough or we find that retirement leaves us with a little too much time on our hands. If you seem to have more month than money or just seem to be at a loss as to how to spend your time, and you aren’t quite ready to leave the race just yet, consider looking into the possibility of starting your own business.
Re-entering the workforce after retirement is growing increasingly popular. In 2005, U.S. labor force participation by men and women aged 55 and older was 70 percent, up from 64 percent in 1970. It has been suggested that those who work well past retirement age can expect to live longer lives with fewer health issues than those who do not. So while the benefits may be financial, working past retirement can also have physical benefits as well.
So how do you decide what your new career or business is going to be? Well, it might be better to keep things simple. Start with your interests. Like baking? Think about starting a home based business specializing in baked goods. Love to garden? Offer your services as a landscape consultant. Are you a great golfer? Why not offer some lessons at your local club? Whatever your interests and/or talents, you just might be able to make money while still doing what you love - and that my friends, is the trick to enjoying your latter years while still feeling productive!
You could also look into the possibility of owning a local franchise of an existing business. Or perhaps consider purchasing the business of someone else who is retiring.
If you decide to start your own business, try to keep your start-up costs at a minimum. Even if you have a substantial life savings, it would be unwise to risk huge amounts of it until you know your business is being successful.
Also, to keep from feeling overwhelmed, limit your work hours at first. We all like to think we can still do five things at once and keep up with the rest of the world but the reality is that as we age, we need to pace ourselves.
In the end remember that these are still your retirement years and you should be allowed to enjoy them!
*NOTE: There are also opportunities to work on line, which are great for seniors because it is not even necessary to get dressed, let alone leave home to make some money. Be very careful, however, because there are so many people on line who can't wait to get their hands on your hard-earned money. Before you get involved with any on line business, be sure to check it out with the Better Business Bureau.
Don’t Just Live Life; Be A Part Of It!
The importance of continued socializing over 50 cannot be underestimated. Interacting with others is vital to your mental and emotional health. It can also be a whole lot of fun. What follows is some info to help you live a more satisfying social life as a Boomer!.
It’s all about helping you become more involved in life rather than sitting on the couch watching the world go by.
Continued socialization not only keeps your mind active, but it also helps you manage stress. We’re not talking about throwing a big party every weekend. We mean getting out of the house, meeting old friends and new people on a regular basis. Too many seniors fall into serious depression because they have no one to talk to, participate in activities with or share their lives with.
Being socially active also encourages you to take better care of yourself – making sure you bathe, practice oral hygiene and get dressed up once in a while. If you know company is coming, you are much more likely to tidy up the house and perhaps even cook or bake something special as well!
Often when we get older, we develop a sedentary lifestyle where we spend the majority of our spare time in solitary pursuits such as reading, playing computer games or watching television. For some people, the only time they get out is on special occasions when they visit with family and friends. It doesn’t have to be that way. There are many groups, activities and clubs that will welcome you and where you can be an actual part of life instead of sitting on the sidelines.
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If you have an affiliation with a particular local church, you can get involved in their social activities. There are also senior’s clubs that hold card nights and/or dances. Most communities have one or more of these clubs. If you don’t feel comfortable with that idea, call your friends and get together one night a week, meet for lunch, take a nature walk, visit the local art gallery, enjoy a live theatre show or see a movie. Often families forget that getting together should be more than meeting for special occasions. You can do any of the above things with them too!
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You might also consider taking up a hobby that will get you out and meeting people, such as golf, swimming or astronomy. You could also join a fitness club, take a class, learn to dance, join a choir, volunteer or even get a part-time job. If you find yourself over 50 and alone, you might also consider an over 50 singles group. Many of these hold such activities as dancing, card nights, picnics and general chats. As well, you could look into activities offered through libraries and local community centers. Any one of these things will give you a change of pace, help you meet others and provide you with a more optimistic outlook on life.
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All I know is that one day, she wasn't there and the next day, she was.
She is a clever old lady and manages to keep out of sight for the most part, but whenever I pass a mirror I catch a glimpse of her. And whenever I look in the mirror to check my appearance, there she is hogging the whole thing, completely, obliterating my gorgeous face and body. This is very rude!
I have tried screaming at her, but she just screams back.
The least she could do is offer to pay part of the rent, but no.
Every once in a while, I find a dollar bill stuck in a coat pocket or some loose change under a sofa cushion, but it is not nearly enough. I don't want to jump to conclusions, but I think she is stealing money from me. I go to the ATM and withdraw $100 and a few days later, it's all gone!
I certainly don't spend money THAT fast, so I can only conclude the old lady is pilfering from me. You'd think she would spend some of that money to buy wrinkle cream.
And money isn't the only thing I think she is stealing. Food seems to disappear at an alarming rate-especially the good stuff like ice cream, cookies and candy. She must have a real sweet tooth, but she'd better watch it, because she is really packing on the pounds.
I suspect she realizes this, and to make herself feel better, she is tampering with my scale to make me think I am putting on weight too.
For an old lady, she is quite childish. She likes to play nasty games, like going into my closets when I'm not home and altering my clothes so they don't fit.
And she messes with files and papers so I can't find anything. This is particularly annoying since I am extremely neat and organized.
She has found other imaginative ways to annoy me. She gets into my mail, newspapers and magazines before I do and blurs the print so I can't read it.
And she has done something really sinister to the volume controls on my TV, radio and telephone. Now, all I hear are mumbles and whispers.
She has done other things - like make my stairs steeper, my vacuum heavier and all the knobs and faucets harder to turn. She even made my bed higher so that getting into and out of it is a real challenge.
Lately, she has been fooling with my groceries before I put them away, applying glue to the lids, making it almost impossible for me to open the jars.
She has taken the fun out of shopping for clothes. When I try something on, she stands in front of the dressing room mirror and monopolizes it. She looks totally ridiculous in some of those outfits, plus she keeps me from seeing how great they look on me. Just when I thought she couldn't get any meaner, she proved me wrong.
She came along when I went to get my picture taken for my driver's license and just as the camera shutter clicked, she jumped in front of me.
I hope she never finds out where you live.
I really do!
What follows is a short article written by an anonymous person. However, it contains some great insights into how one person felt about the process of getting older. I hope you can relate. I know I can.
I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend.. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant.
I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.
Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 a.m. and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60 &70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love ... I will.
I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.
They, too, will get old.
I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things.
Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.
I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face.
So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.
As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore..
I've even earned the right to be wrong.
So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day (if I feel like it).
Of course, not all of your social interactions have to be active. This is most important for those with disabilities or other limitations to know. However, it is still necessary for you to feel social in some way, so why not just invite friends over for tea and a chat once a week. Even this small effort on your part will not just give you something to look forward to, but make all the difference as to how you view your world.
”And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”
Attention Boomer Travelers!
Twitter has become a great way to find just the right people and information you need. If you're a boomer who enjoys traveling, take note of this Facebook site that I just learned about through a fellow Twitterer! Lots of good info here that you should take note of before you leave.
Just go HEREto see Baby Boomers Traveling.
Just go HEREto see Baby Boomers Traveling.
Monday, September 13, 2010
I just had to share this One!
Stranger In My Mirror
By Rose Madeline Mula
Please be careful. This person has found her way into my house and could also get into yours.
Please be careful. This person has found her way into my house and could also get into yours.
A very weird thing has happened. A strange old lady has moved into my house. I have no idea who she is, where she came from, or how she got in. I certainly did not invite her.
All I know is that one day, she wasn't there and the next day, she was.
She is a clever old lady and manages to keep out of sight for the most part, but whenever I pass a mirror I catch a glimpse of her. And whenever I look in the mirror to check my appearance, there she is hogging the whole thing, completely, obliterating my gorgeous face and body. This is very rude!
I have tried screaming at her, but she just screams back.
The least she could do is offer to pay part of the rent, but no.
Every once in a while, I find a dollar bill stuck in a coat pocket or some loose change under a sofa cushion, but it is not nearly enough. I don't want to jump to conclusions, but I think she is stealing money from me. I go to the ATM and withdraw $100 and a few days later, it's all gone!
I certainly don't spend money THAT fast, so I can only conclude the old lady is pilfering from me. You'd think she would spend some of that money to buy wrinkle cream.
And money isn't the only thing I think she is stealing. Food seems to disappear at an alarming rate-especially the good stuff like ice cream, cookies and candy. She must have a real sweet tooth, but she'd better watch it, because she is really packing on the pounds.
I suspect she realizes this, and to make herself feel better, she is tampering with my scale to make me think I am putting on weight too.
For an old lady, she is quite childish. She likes to play nasty games, like going into my closets when I'm not home and altering my clothes so they don't fit.
And she messes with files and papers so I can't find anything. This is particularly annoying since I am extremely neat and organized.
She has found other imaginative ways to annoy me. She gets into my mail, newspapers and magazines before I do and blurs the print so I can't read it.
And she has done something really sinister to the volume controls on my TV, radio and telephone. Now, all I hear are mumbles and whispers.
She has done other things - like make my stairs steeper, my vacuum heavier and all the knobs and faucets harder to turn. She even made my bed higher so that getting into and out of it is a real challenge.
Lately, she has been fooling with my groceries before I put them away, applying glue to the lids, making it almost impossible for me to open the jars.
She has taken the fun out of shopping for clothes. When I try something on, she stands in front of the dressing room mirror and monopolizes it. She looks totally ridiculous in some of those outfits, plus she keeps me from seeing how great they look on me. Just when I thought she couldn't get any meaner, she proved me wrong.
She came along when I went to get my picture taken for my driver's license and just as the camera shutter clicked, she jumped in front of me.
I hope she never finds out where you live.
I really do!
Friday, September 3, 2010
Thoughts on Getting Older
What follows is a short article written by an anonymous person. However, it contains some great insights into how one person felt about the process of getting older. I hope you can relate. I know I can.
I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend.. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant.
I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.
Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 a.m. and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60 &70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love ... I will.
I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.
They, too, will get old.
I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things.
Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.
I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face.
So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.
As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore..
I've even earned the right to be wrong.
So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day (if I feel like it).
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Finding Your Own Spirituality
Your Core Beliefs Determine Your Spirituality
Every one of us is influenced by several primary factors during our lives that determine our core beliefs as adults. From family and friends to the various institutions such as schools and churches that we come into contact with, we develop our own understanding of the world and our place within it. We also develop core beliefs about life, death, God, the universe and so on. For this reason, there are likely as many personal beliefs as there are people. These are beliefs that have been instilled in you since your early years and they are not easily changed.
HERE is an interesting video on how our beliefs have become instilled throughout history. Hopefully, you will find this very illuminating.
Your core beliefs can change drastically during your life. A serious situation can arise at any time, which demands that you re-evaluate those beliefs. For example, if you lose a child, you would most certainly be devastated, but such a terrible event would most likely cause you to re-think your beliefs on death. Is there a God, did angels come to greet your child or is he or she just gone forever? A death in the family is by far the biggest factor that determines whether your core beliefs will stay the same or change in some way. Another reason you might change your views is if you are in a life-threatening situation yourself, such as a car accident. Some people even have a near death experience that completely alters their beliefs.
HERE is an interesting video on how our beliefs have become instilled throughout history. Hopefully, you will find this very illuminating.
Your core beliefs can change drastically during your life. A serious situation can arise at any time, which demands that you re-evaluate those beliefs. For example, if you lose a child, you would most certainly be devastated, but such a terrible event would most likely cause you to re-think your beliefs on death. Is there a God, did angels come to greet your child or is he or she just gone forever? A death in the family is by far the biggest factor that determines whether your core beliefs will stay the same or change in some way. Another reason you might change your views is if you are in a life-threatening situation yourself, such as a car accident. Some people even have a near death experience that completely alters their beliefs.
”All personal breakthroughs begin with a change in beliefs.”
Anthony Robbins
Obviously, death is not a welcoming topic but it is vital to this discussion. How one feels about death determines to a great extent how one lives their life. If you believe death is the end, with no consequences for your actions, you will likely take more risks when it comes to your thoughts, words and actions. However, if you believe there is a God, almighty presence, universal energy with action and reaction results or something similar, you will take much more care with how you act and treat others. This option means you have chosen to live spiritually. It doesn’t really matter if you are Christian, Catholic, Anglican, Buddhist, Hindu, Sunni, Jewish or whatever. What is important is what you believe is the “right” way to live and treat others.
For a more comforting video, please enjoy This One by John Lennon:
For a more comforting video, please enjoy This One by John Lennon:
Find Your Creativity Niche
& Enjoy Your Latter Years!
Being creative is not something that just happens, unless you already have a particular talent that you would like to explore. The first step is to get out of that easy chair! The next is to find inspiration by reviewing your options and looking into those that interest you in more detail.
& Enjoy Your Latter Years!
Being creative is not something that just happens, unless you already have a particular talent that you would like to explore. The first step is to get out of that easy chair! The next is to find inspiration by reviewing your options and looking into those that interest you in more detail.
There are many options to choose from, including art, which takes in charcoal drawing, sketching, oil painting, installation art, sculpture and more. If any of these artistic endeavors appeal to you but you have no particular skills, check out the local art programs available in your community. Colleges, art institutions and even some art galleries offer programs in art.
Do you like music? Perhaps you’d like to learn how to write songs. Maybe, joining a local choral group would be a better fit or learning to play the piano. You could also collect and listen to the tunes you love the most, which should bring you many happy hours. Instead of buying all kinds of CDs, you can borrow from family and friends, and then load them into the media player on your computer. Of course, you can also download music, but be aware that this practice is frowned upon, since you are stealing copyrighted material.
Another option is crafting and there is an endless list of things you might consider, including scrap booking, beading, candle making, ceramics, etching, stained glass, leatherworking, macramé, needlecraft, knitting, egg art, fabric painting, paper machete, doll making, soap making, weaving, crocheting, rubber stamping, pottery, basket weaving and woodworking. Again, courses may be available in your area. If not, the Internet can be a valuable source of information. Do your homework first and you’re bound to enjoy your craft so much more. You might also want to try airplane modeling, cabinet refinishing or furniture restoring.
Though you might find yourself in the kitchen cooking every day, you can also turn this activity into an interesting endeavor. Consider taking up cooking as a hobby, so you can try new recipes. You don’t have to become a skilled chef to learn how to create new dishes that your entire family can enjoy. Have you ever tried Thai food? How about Japanese sushi, homemade pizza, Caribbean Adobo, Chinese lemon chicken, Greek baklava, French Cassoulet, Indian Gee, Irish cabbage and bacon pie, Italian chicken parmesan or Polish pierogis?
Photography is another option and today, all you need is a good digital camera that you can also hook up to your computer with a USB cable so you can transfer the pictures into your photo album. You might also want to have a special “camera dock” for this process. Once your photos are on your computer, you can share them on line or if you have a printer, you can make copies for family and friends.
Those who enjoy the old fashioned way to take pictures will need to purchase the right equipment, including a camera with at least a 50mm lens and flash. You might also want to get a tripod, wide-angle lens, zoom lens, camera bag and an assortment of additional products. If you know nothing about taking pictures properly, research the subject beforehand and make sure you read any users manuals that come with your equipment as well. For those who truly love photography, it is easy to set up your own developing center in a darkroom or basement area. Of course to do this, you will need special equipment for that too but once you have it, you can spend many hours coming up with your own unique creations.
If you are the more active type, you might want to consider an activity that lets you stretch you physical muscles a bit, such as cycling, dancing, golfing, belly dancing or tennis. You may be over 50, but if you’re still in good shape physically, there is no reason why you cannot get involved in one of these activities. They will also get you out of the house and meeting new people.
Have you ever considered writing your autobiography or just creating a personal memory book? You could write articles, children’s books or poetry. The great thing about writing is that if you enjoy it, you might also be able to make some money freelancing. Starting out might be a bit difficult, but if you are an avid reader, you will probably like it. The best way to get started is to join a local writing group where you can share your work and get valuable feedback. Of course, you can also go to Aging With Creativity’s own site: Boomers Write for lots of tips and tricks to inspire the imagination.
Those who like fashion might want to explore tie dying T-shirts, cutting out patterns and sewing up new outfits, learning how to add rhinestones to clothing and overall, simply coming up with your own creations.
Astronomy is another interesting area that you might want to consider. Most communities have at least one astronomy group (either private or through a college) that meets on a regular basis to view the starry nights. You could also read up on astronomy, so you know what to look for when you go out with the group, including constellations, planets and more.
If you’re more the sedentary type but still like to have fun, why not consider having a social night once a week or once a month with family and friends where you get together to play board games or cards. If you enjoy playing games, get yourself an X-Box or join an online community where you can play a whole host of different games. Aging With Creativity will soon have its own “Games” site, so be sure to check back on this site in the future.
A new area that is becoming all the rage on the Internet is videos. We all know how successful YouTube has become in a very short period of time. In keeping with that emerging trend, Aging With Creativity will be providing you with a new site where you can view, upload, download and share your own videos. There will also be plenty of advice on the equipment you will need and how to transfer your videos to the web. We’ll keep you posted!
Don’t ever let age get you down. You have plenty of life left in you, so make the most of it! When it comes to any creative pursuit, sharing an activity with your partner or friend can bring many hours of joy. However, there are still plenty of things you can do on your own to make living over 50 the happiest years of your life!
How to Cope with Bad Memories
Wouldn’t it be nice if you could just get hypnotized to forget your more painful memories? Unfortunately, the experts say this cannot be done. However, there are coping strategies that you can use to make those memories less painful.
Some of us have terrible memories of such things as being bullied at school, losing a parent at a young age or even childhood violence, abuse or rape. These memories tend to ferment in our minds until they just seem to boil and sometimes the problem is handled with through drugs or alcohol. These are not solutions but rather Band Aides to cover up how we feel.
Such memories can also cripple you with a negative self-image and must be dealt with, as this can hold you back in every aspect of your life from getting a good job to having healthy, happy relationships. You must consciously create a new and positive self-image based on who you are today – not who you might have been in the past. To assist you in doing this, here area few tips:
1) Whenever you hear your mind belittling you in some way (you are so stupid or you don’t deserve to have whatever.) immediately replace that thought with a positive one. Keep doing this and eventually, you will automatically think positive things about yourself. It is a matter of reprogramming your mind.
2) Recall the negative memory and try to find a positive in it. For instance, did that experience make you a more understanding person? Did it help you cope with events that occurred later in life? It helps to understand that everything happens for a reason.
3) Is there someone from your past that you truly hate because of what they did to you? There is no way to get past this except to forgive that person. I know this can be terribly difficult, but it may help to know that we are all on our own path in life and along that path, lessons (no matter how difficult) are placed in front of us to be learned. That person was on his or her own path and karma will come into play at some point. By hating, you only hurt yourself.
4) Realize that the past is just that: the past. Why let it ruin your future?
Some of us have terrible memories of such things as being bullied at school, losing a parent at a young age or even childhood violence, abuse or rape. These memories tend to ferment in our minds until they just seem to boil and sometimes the problem is handled with through drugs or alcohol. These are not solutions but rather Band Aides to cover up how we feel.
Such memories can also cripple you with a negative self-image and must be dealt with, as this can hold you back in every aspect of your life from getting a good job to having healthy, happy relationships. You must consciously create a new and positive self-image based on who you are today – not who you might have been in the past. To assist you in doing this, here area few tips:
1) Whenever you hear your mind belittling you in some way (you are so stupid or you don’t deserve to have whatever.) immediately replace that thought with a positive one. Keep doing this and eventually, you will automatically think positive things about yourself. It is a matter of reprogramming your mind.
2) Recall the negative memory and try to find a positive in it. For instance, did that experience make you a more understanding person? Did it help you cope with events that occurred later in life? It helps to understand that everything happens for a reason.
3) Is there someone from your past that you truly hate because of what they did to you? There is no way to get past this except to forgive that person. I know this can be terribly difficult, but it may help to know that we are all on our own path in life and along that path, lessons (no matter how difficult) are placed in front of us to be learned. That person was on his or her own path and karma will come into play at some point. By hating, you only hurt yourself.
4) Realize that the past is just that: the past. Why let it ruin your future?
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Anti-Aging Tips for You!
Let’s face it. We all want to stay as young, healthy, mentally alert and strong as long as we can into our latter years. What follows are some helpful tips to help you do just that.
Exercise
Whether that means full out exercising or gentle stretching, regular physical activity will reduce your level of free-radical induced oxidative stress, which adds to the cause of aging and disease, including Alzheimer’s. Dr. James Jessup of the University of Florida tracked 9,777 men between the ages of 20 and 82 and found that those who exercised and took Vitamin E had a death rate 44 per cent lower than those who didn’t. As well, inactivity can lead to arthritis and osteoporosis.
Mental Acuity
Use it or lose it is the motto when it comes to maintaining your mental acuity. Reading helps keep the mind sharp, as do crosswords that make you think. As well, eat blueberries and take Vitamin E.
Healthy Diet
Your fat intake per day should be less than 30 percent of your total calorie intake to lower your risk of heart disease. Eat five servings a day of fruits and vegetables to lower your risk of cancer and three servings of whole grains daily. When you choose foods, choose color and choose fish or chicken over beef. Drink green tea because it contains a potent antioxidant called EGCG, which is good for your mind and heart. Researchers at the University of Montpellier found that drinking apple and grape juice protects against clogged arteries.
Vitamins
Perhaps the most important vitamin you can take over 50 is calcium to stave off osteoporosis and for more effective results, take with magnesium. Good antioxidants for better skin are Vitamins A, E and C.
Minerals
Two important minerals that should be a part of your regular routine are chromium and selenium. Chromium slows down the aging process, while selenium helps protect against disease. For better skin take selenium, zinc and copper.
Hormone Balance
Balanced hormones can add years to your life. Hormones are chemical messengers that send messages to receptors in the cells. When your hormones are out of whack there is miscommunication. If you feel this may be a problem, see your doctor.
Check-ups
When you’re over 50, health care is all about prevention. Both men and women should have their cholesterol level tested. Women should have regular mammograms and both sexes should have their heart and blood pressure tested regularly.
Eye Exam
Have your eyes tested annually to avoid glaucoma and macular degeneration.
Hearing Test
If you are having trouble hearing, get tested. There are many new gadgets available today that can help you.
Don’t Smoke
Smoking ages your skin and more importantly, cause cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Drink in Moderation
Alcohol not only kills brain cells, it also raises your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes, as well as liver and kidney problems. Common sense should tell you that drinking heavily raises your risk of falling and injuring yourself too.
Wear Sunscreen
The best anti-aging cream is sunscreen to reduce the drying effect of the sun on your skin, as well as reduce your risk of skin cancer.
Sufficient Sleep
While you sleep, your body shuts down and goes to work repairing itself. If you don’t get enough Z’s your body produces too much coristol, which breaks down collagen and causes wrinkles.
Slow Down
By that we don’t mean exercising. We mean the day-to-day running rat race. Slow down to reduce stress and extend your life.
Laugh Often
Laughter really can be the best medicine. It reduces stress, boosts your immune system, enhances brain chemistry, can add years to your life and makes life a whole lot more fun!
Boomer Aging: It’ll Change Everything
Exercise
Whether that means full out exercising or gentle stretching, regular physical activity will reduce your level of free-radical induced oxidative stress, which adds to the cause of aging and disease, including Alzheimer’s. Dr. James Jessup of the University of Florida tracked 9,777 men between the ages of 20 and 82 and found that those who exercised and took Vitamin E had a death rate 44 per cent lower than those who didn’t. As well, inactivity can lead to arthritis and osteoporosis.
Mental Acuity
Use it or lose it is the motto when it comes to maintaining your mental acuity. Reading helps keep the mind sharp, as do crosswords that make you think. As well, eat blueberries and take Vitamin E.
Healthy Diet
Your fat intake per day should be less than 30 percent of your total calorie intake to lower your risk of heart disease. Eat five servings a day of fruits and vegetables to lower your risk of cancer and three servings of whole grains daily. When you choose foods, choose color and choose fish or chicken over beef. Drink green tea because it contains a potent antioxidant called EGCG, which is good for your mind and heart. Researchers at the University of Montpellier found that drinking apple and grape juice protects against clogged arteries.
Vitamins
Perhaps the most important vitamin you can take over 50 is calcium to stave off osteoporosis and for more effective results, take with magnesium. Good antioxidants for better skin are Vitamins A, E and C.
Minerals
Two important minerals that should be a part of your regular routine are chromium and selenium. Chromium slows down the aging process, while selenium helps protect against disease. For better skin take selenium, zinc and copper.
Hormone Balance
Balanced hormones can add years to your life. Hormones are chemical messengers that send messages to receptors in the cells. When your hormones are out of whack there is miscommunication. If you feel this may be a problem, see your doctor.
Check-ups
When you’re over 50, health care is all about prevention. Both men and women should have their cholesterol level tested. Women should have regular mammograms and both sexes should have their heart and blood pressure tested regularly.
Eye Exam
Have your eyes tested annually to avoid glaucoma and macular degeneration.
Hearing Test
If you are having trouble hearing, get tested. There are many new gadgets available today that can help you.
Don’t Smoke
Smoking ages your skin and more importantly, cause cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Drink in Moderation
Alcohol not only kills brain cells, it also raises your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes, as well as liver and kidney problems. Common sense should tell you that drinking heavily raises your risk of falling and injuring yourself too.
Wear Sunscreen
The best anti-aging cream is sunscreen to reduce the drying effect of the sun on your skin, as well as reduce your risk of skin cancer.
Sufficient Sleep
While you sleep, your body shuts down and goes to work repairing itself. If you don’t get enough Z’s your body produces too much coristol, which breaks down collagen and causes wrinkles.
Slow Down
By that we don’t mean exercising. We mean the day-to-day running rat race. Slow down to reduce stress and extend your life.
Laugh Often
Laughter really can be the best medicine. It reduces stress, boosts your immune system, enhances brain chemistry, can add years to your life and makes life a whole lot more fun!
Boomer Aging: It’ll Change Everything
Monday, January 5, 2009
25 things you learn by the time you reached middle age
1. If you're too open-minded, your brains will fall out.
2. Don't worry about what people think, they don't do it very often.
3. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.
4. It ain't the jeans that make your butt look fat.
5. Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.6. My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance.7. Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious.8. It is easier to get forgiveness than permission. 9. For every action, there is an equal and opposite government program.10. If you look like your passport picture, you probably need the trip.11. Bills travel through the mail at twice the speed of checks.12. A conscience is what hurts when all of your other parts feel so good.13. Eat well, stay fit, die anyway.14. Men are from earth. Women are from earth. Deal with it. 15. No one has ever been shot while doing the dishes.16. A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand.17. Middle age is when broadness of the mind and narrowness of the waist change places.18. Opportunities always look bigger going than coming.19. Junk is something you've kept for years and throw away three weeks before you need it.20. There is always one more imbecile than you counted on.21. Experience is a wonderful thing. It enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.22. By the time you can make ends meet, they move the ends.23. When baking, follow directions. When cooking, go by your own taste.24. Someone who thinks logically provides a nice contrast to the real world.25. If you must choose between two evils, pick the one you've never tried before.
Maxine’s Living Will
I, _________________, being of sound mind and body, do not wish to be kept alive indefinitely by artificial means.
Under no circumstances should my fate be put in the hands of pinhead politicians who couldn’t pass ninth-grade biology if their lives depended on it.
Nor in the hands of lawyers/doctors who are interested simply in running up the bills. If a reasonable amount of time passes and I fail to ask for at least one of the following:
Bloody Mary
Margarita
Scotch and soda
Martini
Vodka and Tonic
steak
lobster or crab legs
the remote control
bowl of ice cream
the sports page
chocolate
or sex
…it should be presumed that I won’t ever get better. When such a determination is reached, I hereby instruct my appointed person and attending physicians to pull the plug, reel in the tubes and call it a day.
At this point, it is time to call a New Orleans Jazz Funeral Band to come do their thing at my funeral and ask all of my friends to raise their glasses to toast the good times we have had.
Signature: ________________________
Signature: ________________________
Date: ____________________________
I also hear that in Ireland they have a Nursing Home with a Pub. The patients are happier and they have a lot more visitors.
Baby Boomers Anthems
The Beatles–”I Get By with a Little Help From Depends”
Carly Simon–”You’re So Varicose Vein”
The Bee Gees–”How Can You Mend a Broken Hip”
Roberta Flack–”The First Time Ever I Forgot Your Face”
Johnny Nash–”I Can’t See Clearly Now”
Procol Harem–”A Whiter Shade of Hair”
Carly Simon–”You’re So Varicose Vein”
The Bee Gees–”How Can You Mend a Broken Hip”
Roberta Flack–”The First Time Ever I Forgot Your Face”
Johnny Nash–”I Can’t See Clearly Now”
Procol Harem–”A Whiter Shade of Hair”
George Carlin on Aging
Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we’re kids? If you’re less than 10 years old, you’re so excited about aging that you think in fractions.“How old are you?” “I’m four and a half!” You’re never thirty-six and a half. You’re four and a half, going on five! That’s the key.You get into your teens and now they can’t hold you back. You jump to the next “How old are you?” “I’m gonna be 16!” You could be 13 but hey, you’re gonna be 16! And then the greatest day of your life… you become 21. Even the words sound like a ceremony. YOU BECOME 21. YESSSS!!!But then you turn 30. Oooohh, what happened there? Makes you sound like bad milk! He TURNED; we had to throw him out. There’s no fun now. You’re just a sour-dumpling. What’s wrong? What’s changed?You BECOME 21, you TURN 30 and then you’re PUSHING 40. Whoa! Put on the brakes. It’s all slipping away. Before you know it, you REACH 50 and your dreams are gone.But wait! You MAKE it to 60. You didn’t think you would!So you BECOME 21, TURN 30, PUSH 40, REACH 50 and MAKE it to 60.You’ve built up so much speed that you HIT 70! After that it’s a day-by-day thing. You HIT Wednesday!You get into your 80’s and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT lunch; you TURN 4:30; you REACH bedtime. And it doesn’t end there. Into the 90’s, you start going backwards; “I Was JUST 92.”Then a strange thing happens. If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again. “I’m 100 and a half!”
May you all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!!
May you all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!!
Before even discussing alternative healing, you should know that just because a licensed doctor is not doling out a prescription it does not mean a particular alternative medication or healing procedure will not work. Throughout history, people have discovered and used natural cures for what ailed them. When we speak about alternative healing, we’re talking about not only using products found in the natural environment, but also healing techniques that have been used for centuries.
This subject is so vast that it would take a book to cover it all, so we will provide you with some links that you can explore as we go along. First of all, if you’d like to try some natural medicines, you need to find a naturopath that does not just treat one problem but views your overall state of health. These health care professionals may use homeopathy, clinical nutrition, traditional Chinese medicine, and botanical or herbal medicine to help you.
Here are a few examples of natural healing herbs:
Green Tea:
Researchers have found that the natural chemicals in green tea (polyphenols and bioflavonoids) are terrific anti-oxidants that protect your body against free radicals. It has also been found to help fight tooth decay, help with weight loss and even help acne.
Thyme:
Use thyme to get rid of colds, clear congestion and viral infections. It will also help a dry, hacking cough.
Rosemary:
Rosemary:
Take Rosemary for better circulation. This herb is a stimulant that can increase the blood flow to your brain, improve memory and help headaches. It is also good for treating stress, anxiety, mild depression and chronic fatigue.
Turmeric:
Turmeric, a spice used in curry contains an anti-inflammatory called Curcumin that can be taken to help ease arthritis pain and swelling. According to recent research, it may also prevent Alzheimer’s disease and colon cancer. A clinical trial at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 2006 found that Curcumin helped shrink colon polyps “when taken with a small amount of quercetin, a powerful antioxidant found in onions, apples and cabbage.” Reference
Basil
This herb has been found to reduce stress, relieve indigestion and ease headaches. Basil tea has also been found to shrink tumors by reducing their blood supply in mice.
St. John’s Wort
This herb can relieve mild depression and anxiety, as well as promote sleep, because it contains Melatonin.
Garlic
Garlic has been found to lower incidents of colorectal and ovarian cancer. Since garlic contains more than 70 active phytochemicals it has also been shown to help prevent arterial blockages and strokes.
Garlic has been found to lower incidents of colorectal and ovarian cancer. Since garlic contains more than 70 active phytochemicals it has also been shown to help prevent arterial blockages and strokes.
Aloe
Use straight from an aloe vera plant as a topical ointment for skin disorders.
Ginger
Use to help motion sickness, nausea, vomiting and even stomach viruses.
Ginkgo
Use this herb to boost your memory, improve mental function overall and stave of Alzheimer’s disease.
Use straight from an aloe vera plant as a topical ointment for skin disorders.
Ginger
Use to help motion sickness, nausea, vomiting and even stomach viruses.
Ginkgo
Use this herb to boost your memory, improve mental function overall and stave of Alzheimer’s disease.
You will find a comprehensive herb encyclopedia Here.
Most holistic practitioners will also suggest that you perform some herbal body cleanses to rid yourself of toxic chemicals and heavy metals. These include but are not limited to a liver cleanse to remove biochemical compounds excreted by the body, a lung cleanse to rid the lungs of pollution, a kidney cleanse to rid it of toxins and a colon cleanse to rid the area of parasites and bacteria.
What follows are some of the other natural healing therapies available.
Massage Therapy
There are many forms of massage therapy that provide soothing comfort to aching bodies and also relieve stress. Shiatsu is a Japanese treatment in which physical pressure is applied along energy paths called meridians. Hot stone massage as you might have guessed involves applying hot stones to various parts of the body to stimulate circulation and ease pain. Ayurvedic massage from India involves using a heated blend of herbal oils and deep tissue massage means working deep into specific joints or muscles to allow better movement. There are many other forms of massage that you can learn about Here.
Reiki
In Japanese, Reiki means universal life force energy. Reiki practitioners utilize hands-on healing to balance your body’s energies for total wellness. By placing their hands on a particular spot on the body, Reiki practitioners claim they can push out negative energies and replace them with clear life force ene
This Chinese therapy can be used for everything from pain relief to stopping smoking. It involves strategically putting fine needles into the skin to regulate the flow of energy. For more information, go Here or Here. There is even an article on acupuncture and age-related macular degeneration that you will find Here.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy involves using the fragrances of plants to refresh the body, ease the mind and sooth the spirit. For more information you can read some articles on this topic provided by Positive Health magazine.
Get A Better Night’s Sleep!
 Alternatives to Retirement A preconceived notion of life exists for many of us. A notion where you grow up, get a job, work to provide for your family and then retire peacefully at 65… or was that 62… or perhaps 59…?!? Baby boomers are being phased out or forced into retirement at earlier and earlier ages. But for many baby boomers, that golden age is the new 30 and they are at their prime. For those who still crave the nine-to-five (or aren’t quite in a position to live off the savings just yet), there are many options for a second career. Become a Teacher The ever increasing shortage of teachers is hitting school districts nationwide. Many states have begun to seek creative solutions to this huge problem. Many baby boomers, set to leave the classroom within the next several years are being offered incentives to stay, from bonuses to opportunities to have their retirement funds placed in escrow to accrue interest while they teach additional years (still earning a salary). School systems are also looking for retired professionals to enter the classroom to teach a variety of courses. There are many special programs that provide specific professionals lateral entry into education. Open a Business Turn that hobby into a moneymaking opportunity! If you have always wished you had more time for this or that, you now have an opportunity to realize that dream. Love old cars? Consider investing in a restoration business. Love photography? Take courses and become a professional photographer. Always loved to entertain? What about opening a bed and breakfast or a café or diner? Have a love of knick-knacks? What about becoming an antique dealer? The options are endless! Volunteer If you are seeking fulfillment but don’t necessarily need the funds, there are many rewarding opportunities for volunteers. Give some time at the local senior home, library or civic organization. Become a companion or mentor. All of these are priceless experiences that will enrich and reward the lives of you and the people you encounter. Retirement is not death! There are many examples of older Americans beginning and being successful in careers during their golden years. You are only limited by your imagination.    |
Friday, May 30, 2008
Understanding the Benefits of Organic Food
Organic food is a safer alternative than conventional food for one very basic and obvious reasons: they are pesticide free. Pesticide residue like DDT and hexachlorobenzine on fruits and vegetables enter the human body when consumed and are particularly more harmful to children. Health risks involved with consuming these pesticides range from immune and nervous system problems, to Parkinson’s disease, decreased reproductive ability, tremors, depression, dermatitis, nausea, convulsions, diarrhea and even poor memory. If that isn’t enough, Belgian researchers found that breast cancer in women increases six to nine times for those with pesticides in their bloodstream.
Clinical nutritionist and editor of Organic Food News Quarterly, Shane Heaton says the nutrient value in organic food is also much higher. “Official food composition tables, including data compiled by the US Department of Agriculture, reveal that since the 1940s the mineral levels in fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy have declined substantially in conventional foods. Combine this with earlier (pre-ripened) picking, longer storage, and more processing of crops, and it's not surprising that we may be getting fewer nutrients in our food than we were 60 years ago.”He added that organic crops “contain higher levels of trace minerals, vitamin C and antioxidant phytonutrients.” Nutrition specialist Virginia Worthington backs this up. She reviewed 41 studies on organic vs. non-organic foods and concluded that fruits, vegetables and grains contain “27 percent more vitamin C, 21.1 percent more iron, 29.3 percent more magnesium and 13.6 percent more phosphorus.”
Organic meat is another consideration but be aware that not all products marketed as organic actually are. Organic meat producer Kenneth Solway states on his website at http://eap.mcgill.ca/MagRack/COG/COG_E_95_04.htm that "Organic standards regulate an animal from the state of its mother prior to birth, through feeding and housing practices, right to the abattoir and packaging. Many say these regulations are too strict. By being so forceful, these rules have, until recently, made truly certifiable organic meats basically unavailable, playing right into the hands of those who capitalize on fraudulent claims."
According to one organic meat company, livestock must be fed 100 percent organic food that contains no pesticides, herbicides or fungicides or fertilizers. As well, the feed cannot be genetically modified or contain animal bi-products. The animals themselves must be free of growth hormones, steroids and antibiotics. That means if an animal gets sick, it cannot be used to provide organic meat. The animals must also be treated humanly and an independent organic certification body must visit to ensure a farmer has met all of the standards.
However, Solway said that some areas like Ontario have no organic body especially to oversee abattoirs, so the process the meat goes through after it leaves the farm is not supervised.
He noted that consumers must realize that meat can be easily contaminated, so certain steps must be taken to avoid that. Marketers who state that their meat products are “chemical-free” or “hormone-free” are not being honest. However, he added that organic meat producers do use organic feed and the resulting meat is very low in these substances compared to other meats.
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Clinical nutritionist and editor of Organic Food News Quarterly, Shane Heaton says the nutrient value in organic food is also much higher. “Official food composition tables, including data compiled by the US Department of Agriculture, reveal that since the 1940s the mineral levels in fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy have declined substantially in conventional foods. Combine this with earlier (pre-ripened) picking, longer storage, and more processing of crops, and it's not surprising that we may be getting fewer nutrients in our food than we were 60 years ago.”He added that organic crops “contain higher levels of trace minerals, vitamin C and antioxidant phytonutrients.” Nutrition specialist Virginia Worthington backs this up. She reviewed 41 studies on organic vs. non-organic foods and concluded that fruits, vegetables and grains contain “27 percent more vitamin C, 21.1 percent more iron, 29.3 percent more magnesium and 13.6 percent more phosphorus.”
Organic meat is another consideration but be aware that not all products marketed as organic actually are. Organic meat producer Kenneth Solway states on his website at http://eap.mcgill.ca/MagRack/COG/COG_E_95_04.htm that "Organic standards regulate an animal from the state of its mother prior to birth, through feeding and housing practices, right to the abattoir and packaging. Many say these regulations are too strict. By being so forceful, these rules have, until recently, made truly certifiable organic meats basically unavailable, playing right into the hands of those who capitalize on fraudulent claims."
According to one organic meat company, livestock must be fed 100 percent organic food that contains no pesticides, herbicides or fungicides or fertilizers. As well, the feed cannot be genetically modified or contain animal bi-products. The animals themselves must be free of growth hormones, steroids and antibiotics. That means if an animal gets sick, it cannot be used to provide organic meat. The animals must also be treated humanly and an independent organic certification body must visit to ensure a farmer has met all of the standards.
However, Solway said that some areas like Ontario have no organic body especially to oversee abattoirs, so the process the meat goes through after it leaves the farm is not supervised.
He noted that consumers must realize that meat can be easily contaminated, so certain steps must be taken to avoid that. Marketers who state that their meat products are “chemical-free” or “hormone-free” are not being honest. However, he added that organic meat producers do use organic feed and the resulting meat is very low in these substances compared to other meats.
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Nursing Homes: What to look For
The first thing to know about nursing homes is that there are good ones, mediocre ones and downright bad ones! It is up to you to find one that is suitable for yourself or a loved one. Your first step is to make a list of nursing homes that are conveniently located so you and others can visit easily. If you are located in the United States, you may need to choose only those that are covered by Medicare or Medicaid.
Your next step will be to visit the homes on your list and stay at each one for a couple of hours minimum. While there speak with not only staff members, but also existing residents. You should also speak with your family doctor as he may have information that is valuable. Look around the nursing home. Is the home clean and fresh smelling? Do residents seem happy, clean and well cared for? Do staff members look clean and happy? What kind of meals are served and can the home provide a suitable diet plan? Are meal choices offered? Are snacks provided between meals?
You should ask questions about patient safety such as how many people each staff member is assigned to and whether wheelchairs and other aids are readily available. Are rooms private and secure enough? Are they kept clean and orderly? How do staff members handle residents? Take note if staff seem impatient or take time with the residents. Do they help them with personal care? Are there adequate handrails and grab bars? When a call bell goes off, does a staff member respond right away? How are meds distributed?
Is the nursing home associated with a particular hospital and does the home have a plan to assist patients in case of an emergency? How do they treat bedsores and how do they deal with residents who have behavioral problems? Do they ever use restraints? How often are residents changed if they have an incontinence problem? Have there ever been any influenza, food poisoning or other serious outbreaks within the facility? Ask to see a recent state or provincial inspection report. Also ask about staff turnover, as most people will not continue working at a home where residents are being mistreated.
You should also ask if any activities are offered in which residents can take part and are any outings arranged to get the residents outside for some fresh air or a short shopping trip? Is there a secure outside area where residents can sit? What kinds of activities are held for special occasions like birthdays and holidays like Christmas and Easter? Also find out the visiting hours and if family members are allowed access to most areas. Overall, is the nursing home a peaceful place where you or a loved one could actually feel comfortable and at home?
If you get the feeling that you might not be told the truth about all or any of these things, schedule an impromptu second visit.
Your next step will be to visit the homes on your list and stay at each one for a couple of hours minimum. While there speak with not only staff members, but also existing residents. You should also speak with your family doctor as he may have information that is valuable. Look around the nursing home. Is the home clean and fresh smelling? Do residents seem happy, clean and well cared for? Do staff members look clean and happy? What kind of meals are served and can the home provide a suitable diet plan? Are meal choices offered? Are snacks provided between meals?
You should ask questions about patient safety such as how many people each staff member is assigned to and whether wheelchairs and other aids are readily available. Are rooms private and secure enough? Are they kept clean and orderly? How do staff members handle residents? Take note if staff seem impatient or take time with the residents. Do they help them with personal care? Are there adequate handrails and grab bars? When a call bell goes off, does a staff member respond right away? How are meds distributed?
Is the nursing home associated with a particular hospital and does the home have a plan to assist patients in case of an emergency? How do they treat bedsores and how do they deal with residents who have behavioral problems? Do they ever use restraints? How often are residents changed if they have an incontinence problem? Have there ever been any influenza, food poisoning or other serious outbreaks within the facility? Ask to see a recent state or provincial inspection report. Also ask about staff turnover, as most people will not continue working at a home where residents are being mistreated.
You should also ask if any activities are offered in which residents can take part and are any outings arranged to get the residents outside for some fresh air or a short shopping trip? Is there a secure outside area where residents can sit? What kinds of activities are held for special occasions like birthdays and holidays like Christmas and Easter? Also find out the visiting hours and if family members are allowed access to most areas. Overall, is the nursing home a peaceful place where you or a loved one could actually feel comfortable and at home?
If you get the feeling that you might not be told the truth about all or any of these things, schedule an impromptu second visit.
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