Wednesday, February 27th, 2008

Eat colorful Fruits and vegetables.Load up on spinach, berries,apples, and carrots are all high in antioxidants and fiber.

Eat Fish. Tuna, and salom are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Try eating 2-3 servings of fish per week.

Do Not Smoke.If you smoke, quit right now. Smoking triples your risk of dying by increasing your blood pressure and making blood more prone to clot, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes. Within a year of quitting, you will decrease your risk of a heart attack by 50 percent.

Balance exercise and your diet. Try to balance the calories you take in with the calories you burn by physical activity.If you have a bigger middle section, you are more likely to have fat in and around your abdominal organs where it can be released into the bloodstream as dangerous fatty acids that contribute to clogged arteries. For women, a waist size more than 30 inches is a red flag.

Exercise. Aim for at least 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity daily. Exercise – in any form - will lower your blood pressure, reduce stress and boost your “good” cholesterol.

Do not use salt. Keep your blood pressure at 120/80 mmHg or below. As women age, they become more salt-sensitive, which contributes to elevated blood pressure. Women over the age of 50 should cut sodium intake to 1,500 mg a day.

Monday, February 25th, 2008

Signs and symptoms

Knowing the signs and symptoms of a stroke may make it possible for the right care and to get immediate treatment. The signs and symptoms of stroke usually occur suddenly; frequently there’s more than one.

Signs and symptoms include:

• Sudden numbness, weakness, or paralysis of your face, arm or leg — usually on one side
• Sudden dizziness, loss of balance or loss of coordination
• Sudden difficulty speaking or understanding speech (aphasia)
• Sudden blurred, double or decreased vision
• A sudden, severe headache or an unusual headache, which may be accompanied by a stiff neck, facial pain, pain between your eyes, vomiting or altered consciousness
• Confusion, or problems with memory

For most, a stroke gives no warning or signs. One possible sign of an impending stroke is a transient ischemic attack (TIA). A TIA is a temporary interruption of blood flow to a part of your brain.The signs and symptoms of TIA are the same as a stroke, but they last for a shorter period. It can be several minutes and to 24 hours and then go away without any apparent permanent effects. It is possible to have more than one TIA, and the recurrent signs and symptoms may be similar or different.

Wednesday, February 20th, 2008

Avocado is a great source of healthy monounsaturated fat that may help to reduce level of a bad type of cholesterol in the body. Avocado is also a good source of vitamin E and can help to maintain healthy skin and prevent skin the skin from aging. Avocado is rich in potassium which helps prevent fluid retention and high blood pressure.

Try avocado on salads or make a fresh guacamole.

Monday, February 18th, 2008

8 ounces sirloin steak, trimmed of fat and cut into 1-inch chunks
1 teaspoon fennel seed, roughly chopped or coarsely ground in a spice mill
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
3/4 cup reduced-sodium beef broth, divided (see Tips for Two)
1/4 cup dry red wine
2 bell peppers, cut into 1-inch squares
Freshly ground pepper to taste
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1. Rub steak with fennel seed and 1/4 teaspoon salt, turning to coat on all sides. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the steak in a single layer and cook, turning once, until browned on the outside and still pink in the middle, 2 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm.
2. Add garlic to the pan and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add 1/2 cup broth and wine, scraping up any browned bits with a wooden spoon. Add bell peppers, the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper; bring to a simmer. Cover, reduce heat to maintain a simmer and cook until the peppers are tender-crisp, 4 to 6 minutes.

3. Whisk the remaining 1/4 cup broth and flour in a small bowl. Add to the pepper mixture, increase heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer, stirring constantly. Return the steak to the pan. Adjust heat to maintain a slow simmer and cook, turning the meat once, about 2 minutes for medium-rare.

Recipe source:eatingwell.com

Thursday, February 14th, 2008

Exercise is really the way to “The Fountain of Youth”.

If you don’t beleive me, try following these simple fitness tips and see how you feel.

1. Consistent Cardio. 30 minutes, 5 days a week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise. Work at a pace that allows you to talk freely; if you can sing, you’re not exercising hard enough. To get started, choose an activity you enjoy and do 10 minutes, 5 days a week. Then increase by 5 minutes each week until you’re doing 30 minutes at a time. Dividing your exercise into three 10-minute bouts throughout the day works, too.

2. Intervals.45 minutes, twice a week (moderate-paced cardio exercise interspersed with 1-minute speed bursts every 2 minutes). If you’re just starting out, do 20-second intervals, slowly building up to 1 minute as your endurance increases.

3. Weight Training. 20 minutes, twice a week. Dumbbells is really all you need. You can use light hand weights or weight machines at your gym. Both options are great and only one of them is a must.

4. Yoga and/or Pilates. Try to fit in 2-3 sessions per week. These sessions can help lower your stress levels.

Try these tips for at least 6 weeks followed with a well balanced diet and I bet you will feel GREAT! Please consult with your physician before beginning an exercise and diet plan.

Tuesday, February 5th, 2008

According to a survey done by AARP, over 30,000 baby boomers and Matures are going Green! Green Baby Boomers tend to support local retailers that give back to their communities and choose locally produced products. AARP’s research study found that more baby boomers are more prevalent among Matures, and appear to directly correlate with their increasing age. These correlations may forecast that social and environmental consciousness will increasingly shape the purchasing behaviors of baby boomer shoppers.

Key findings from AARP include:

· Almost three-quarters (70%) of baby boomers say that they feel a sense of responsibility to make the world a better place.

· Good customer service is nearly twice as important among Green Baby Boomers as it is to other baby boomers (70% vs. 45%).

· Green Boomers are seeking authenticity and relevance, as well as real information about products in adevrtising campaigns.

· 50 percent of baby boomers at every income level are likely to buy brands that are environmentally safe, those at the lowest income level ($0-$50K) are most inclined to do so (57%).

· Green Boomers are consuming more media, particularly print, and exhibit higher brand loyalty across all categories of products.

Wednesday, January 30th, 2008

Mary Furlong is the author of“Turning Silver Into Gold”. She has been watching the Baby Boomer generation since the mid-1980s. Mary gives insight into Baby Boomers’ new lifestage transitions in housing, health, fitness, finances, family, fashion, travel, romance, and work.

Below are some interesting facts from Mary Furlong’s book:

• The average adult American woman is 5 foot 4 inches and wears a size 14 dress.

• Baby Boomers are the first generation in American history in which the majority have obtained at least some form of higher education.

• There are more significant life transitions in the 50s and 60s than any other phase of life.

• For Baby Boomers, health care is shifting from a medical topic to a blend of entertainment, fitness, beauty and spiritual well-being.

• One of the top concerns of Baby Boomers is having enough money to retire

• By 2020, healthy living will be a trillion dollar business.

• Gardening is the No. 1 hobby for baby boomers.

• The median consumer for a new Harley-Davidson cycle is a 46-year old male.

• Baby Boomers make up 60 percent of all divorced people over the age of 50 in the U.S.

• One in four Baby Boomers in the U.S. has a second home which is typically used for vacations.

Very interesting book. Its amazing how our society will change.

Friday, January 4th, 2008

Here are a few tips that can help save your life if you were ever in an emergency. Be sure to make a list of the folllowing and keep it with you at all times.

Mason and the National Institute on Aging recommend:

• Name

• A list of your medical problems

• A list of your medications (including herbs and supplements)

• Name and phone number of your doctor

• Name and phone number of family or close friends

• Whether you wear contact lenses

These are basic questions that medical personal would need to know if there was an emergency. Of course, there could be a long list to follow. Please see your doctor for any further questions. This is just a recommendation.

Source: www.cnn.com

Monday, December 17th, 2007

I love that Newsweek has dedicated an entire section to Baby Boomer’s. Its called Boomer Files. I would check this out daily to read interesting articles and keep up to date with current events.

They have articles like this one titlted:

Insuring Your Future Care

The article talks about insurance compnaies offering new forms of long-term-care insurance for boomers who might be willing to buy at a younger age.

Read the entire article at www.newsweek.com

Wednesday, December 12th, 2007

There is so much imformation on what to eat and what not eat to boost your brain. Here are just a few very easy tips to build into your daily routine.

Brain Boosters:

Supplements! Make sure your high-potency multi-vitamin has a sufficient amount of the substances your brain needs most to stay in top shape. Among them:

Folate: A member of the B vitamin group, this nutrient is found naturally in legumes, kidneys, oranges and leafy green vegetables. Few Americans get enough in their diet, so make sure your intake is at least the recommended daily dose of 400 micrograms.

Other B vitamins: Vitamins B6 and B12 are believed to be involved in the formation of the sheaths around nerve cells that contribute to communication between these cells. People with Alzheimer’s often have reduced levels of B vitamins.

Vitamins C and E together: The most effective doses are 400 to 1,000 International Units of vitamin E, and 500 to 1,500 milligrams of vitamin C.

Omega-3 fats: Eat at least two servings of tuna, salmon or sardines a week, but consider taking a supplement, too. Though there’s no recommended amount, most fish oil pills provide plenty. Make sure that a third party has verified the oil is free from contaminants, such as mercury.

Drinking and thinking. be sure to SIP the wine..no need to rush.

Alcohol kills brain cells, and the more you drink the more brain cells are destroyed. So it’s a no-brainer to keep your consumption in check—no more than one drink per day.

Minding your meditation. Reward yourself daily with a little meditation! As little as 15 minutes a day may be enough—whether it’s sitting in the car in traffic or relaxing in bed before calling it a night.