If we listen to all the messages about healthy living, healthy aging, never aging, etc., it's easy to assume that if we live a reasonably healthy life--eat well, exercise regularly, manage stress, keep our weight in check, not smoke, not drink too much--we'll sail actively through our 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and beyond. . . That we'll thrive all the way to immortality, or at least a greatly-deferred mortality.
Surprisingly, even if we do most things right, "stuff happens". Blame it on genetics, the environment, or just bad luck, life will sometimes stop us in our busy tracks. It's happened to me several times, even though I lead a healthy, active life.
I can watch my parents' generation soldiering through their 90s and say that I have at least 25 years before I need to worry about home care or other support systems of the very old.
But the truth is that stuff can happen anytime, so I've been getting pro-active about creating a support structure for myself now.
For instance, last year I made some simple changes to my house so that if I need household or errand assistance, there's a separate suite to house a future aide. What's important to me is living with my dog and my garden, so I want to make sure I can stay at home to enjoy both.
And, in a few weeks I need outpatient surgery. To keep me safe at home afterwards, I called a local home assistance agency and arranged for an aide to stay with me for a few hours. Does that make me feel like an old lady? No, it makes me feel like a smart, realistic Boomer. And, once I've had this "trial run" with home assistance, it won't feel daunting to ask for it in the future.
The next item on my preparedness list is researching long term care Insurance. I'm so glad my parents had policies that helped them when they needed it most. By signing up now for my own policy, I'll be paying a lower premium and will have the peace of mind that if and when I need in-home or institutional help, it will be covered.
On that note, I also know that getting payouts from long term care policies can be challenging. Thankfully, I've got an ally in Aspen Billing Advocates, a "client-centered medical billing advocacy service committed to reducing hospital and medical bills and maximizing health insurance coverage."
None of us can age successfully alone. It truly does take a village. If you're surrounded by family with time and inclination to help, that's great. But if, like many Boomers, you're living on your own, you need to start assembling your own village now, while you can make the choices that are important to you.
Because "stuff happens."
Using food to stay healthy . . . Fun foods that are good for you
Showing posts with label longevity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label longevity. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Domestic Arts as a Survival Tool
If you've cooked every day for many years to feed your family, along with perhaps working full-time, and commuting, it's understandable that during retirement you may look forward to eating out several (or all?) days a week, happily giving up most kitchen activities.
Your post-retirement calendar may be full of meeting friends for meals, attending theater, playing golf, volunteering, traveling, etc. These days, there are plenty of very healthy food choices you can find at restaurants almost anywhere you live or visit, including at major airports.
I'd like to suggest, though, that it's a smart aging strategy to develop the habit now of enjoying at least some of the "domestic arts" that you're so eager to give away.
Why? Because I've observed that people whose lives were "outer-directed" during their active years often experience a loss of daily necessity and meaning when they transition to advanced age.
Previously, their daily sense of meaning and goals were all accomplished in the world outside the home. Now, the absence of that sense of purpose, status, and value to others can leave them feeling depressed, unfocused and passively depending on family or professional aides, not only for their physical survival, but also for their state of mind.
I've noticed recently how glad I am to enjoy food design as a sort of personal art project, as well as feeling so much healthier when I cook and bake from scratch.
My crafts business, which gave me (and my hands and eyes) something to do every day for many years, took a nose dive this Fall, due to the increase of online shopping and hot weather late into the holiday gift show months. My sales plummeted, and I had to give up selling at shows and markets. Moreover, my hands have made it clear to me that they need a break from daily crochet. The constant repetitive motion is unsustainable, and I need my hands for the activities of daily life!
Luckily for me, I'd started this blog project, BoosterFoods, over Thanksgiving weekend. Although I hadn't intended on replacing most of my food staples with homemade versions, that's what's happened over the past few months. So, now when I run low on meals or baked goods, I have to cook or bake. I've sort of created a new "job" for myself.
Another reason why I think it's important to enjoy some domestic arts as long as possible is that they can keep us company when life forces more solitude on us than we want.
On rainy days, or cold days, or days when my car is in the shop, or when I'm just tired and stuck at home, it's really comforting to pull out a baking pan or a pot and make an energy bar, some soup, icebox jam, or whatever I need to replace in the fridge. The aromas, the textures, the tastes, the satisfaction of creation . . . fill an emotional void that would otherwise make the day feel less fulfilling.
And it's a funny thing, having a nibble of something just out of the oven to offer to a neighbor or a friend--and definitely some little treats to my dog!--can be an unexpected bonus.
Even if you live alone, you can have the fun of making small batches. Divide each batch into one container for the refrigerator and another one for the freezer.
I know that, as they age, some folks become unable to use their hands, eyes, minds for cooking and baking, due to injury or ill health. But if you start the habit now of making food basics yourself, that may actually help your mind and body stay healthy longer.
Right now, I'm enjoying a bowl of homemade chili that my neighbor brought over yesterday. When she stopped by this morning to borrow my ladder, I gave her a taste of flatbread squares, Apple Raisin Compote, and Caroline's Zucchini Soup, fresh out of the oven and stovetop. Mm, mm, good!
Your post-retirement calendar may be full of meeting friends for meals, attending theater, playing golf, volunteering, traveling, etc. These days, there are plenty of very healthy food choices you can find at restaurants almost anywhere you live or visit, including at major airports.
I'd like to suggest, though, that it's a smart aging strategy to develop the habit now of enjoying at least some of the "domestic arts" that you're so eager to give away.
Why? Because I've observed that people whose lives were "outer-directed" during their active years often experience a loss of daily necessity and meaning when they transition to advanced age.
Previously, their daily sense of meaning and goals were all accomplished in the world outside the home. Now, the absence of that sense of purpose, status, and value to others can leave them feeling depressed, unfocused and passively depending on family or professional aides, not only for their physical survival, but also for their state of mind.
I've noticed recently how glad I am to enjoy food design as a sort of personal art project, as well as feeling so much healthier when I cook and bake from scratch.
My crafts business, which gave me (and my hands and eyes) something to do every day for many years, took a nose dive this Fall, due to the increase of online shopping and hot weather late into the holiday gift show months. My sales plummeted, and I had to give up selling at shows and markets. Moreover, my hands have made it clear to me that they need a break from daily crochet. The constant repetitive motion is unsustainable, and I need my hands for the activities of daily life!
Luckily for me, I'd started this blog project, BoosterFoods, over Thanksgiving weekend. Although I hadn't intended on replacing most of my food staples with homemade versions, that's what's happened over the past few months. So, now when I run low on meals or baked goods, I have to cook or bake. I've sort of created a new "job" for myself.
Another reason why I think it's important to enjoy some domestic arts as long as possible is that they can keep us company when life forces more solitude on us than we want.
On rainy days, or cold days, or days when my car is in the shop, or when I'm just tired and stuck at home, it's really comforting to pull out a baking pan or a pot and make an energy bar, some soup, icebox jam, or whatever I need to replace in the fridge. The aromas, the textures, the tastes, the satisfaction of creation . . . fill an emotional void that would otherwise make the day feel less fulfilling.
And it's a funny thing, having a nibble of something just out of the oven to offer to a neighbor or a friend--and definitely some little treats to my dog!--can be an unexpected bonus.
Even if you live alone, you can have the fun of making small batches. Divide each batch into one container for the refrigerator and another one for the freezer.
I know that, as they age, some folks become unable to use their hands, eyes, minds for cooking and baking, due to injury or ill health. But if you start the habit now of making food basics yourself, that may actually help your mind and body stay healthy longer.
Right now, I'm enjoying a bowl of homemade chili that my neighbor brought over yesterday. When she stopped by this morning to borrow my ladder, I gave her a taste of flatbread squares, Apple Raisin Compote, and Caroline's Zucchini Soup, fresh out of the oven and stovetop. Mm, mm, good!
Friday, November 27, 2015
Light & Tasty Green Juice
Whenever possible, I prefer to use foods to stay healthy.
In addition to containing healthy ingredients, they need to taste good. My favorite basic veggie juice tastes light and happy. Enjoy!
LIGHT & TASTY GREEN JUICE
- 2-3 large leaves of kale
- juice of 1/2 lemon
- 3" to 4" of cucumber
- spritz of cayenne powder (optional)
- small apple, sliced
- (3) 1/8" slices of ginger root
(You can always add or substitute other fresh fruits or vegetables. Just be aware of the sugar content. For instance, carrots, beets, and fruits are high in sugar. Try to keep the juice mostly veggie.)
- Put all into blender. Add water about 1/2-way up.
- Grate. Then blend on high.
- Pour through strainer into a pot. Use a bowl to push maximum juice through the strainer.
- Compost or dump the scraps.
Soothing Anti-Virus Hot Toddy
When I feel a cold, bronchitis, cold sore, achiness, or flu approaching, I immediately start drinking this tea several times throughout the day and evening.
It features spices that are anti-inflammatory, as well as Vitamin C and Echinacea. The warm liquid helps soothe chest ache and congestion, too.
NOTE: No promises, guarantees or claims here. It usually works for me, and maybe you'll like it, too.
TIP: If you want to make up a larger quantity of this tea in advance, you can portion it into individual tea bags by ordering (bleach-free) bags from naturalteabags.com. This is especially helpful if you travel, since you may not have the individual spices at hand where you're staying.
NOTE: A little more about Echinacea: Echinacea is generally seen as a safe supplement that results in few side effects. However, it is noted that if you take it as an oral supplement, you may experience some tingling or numbness in your mouth. Additionally, if you’re allergic to plants in the daisy family or have asthma, it’s recommended that you steer clear of it. It’s advised that folks with a liver disorder, an auto-immune disorder (including HIV/AIDS), leukemia, connective tissue disorder, diabetes, or tuberculosis avoid this supplement. Though there’s little evidence to suggest that using echinacea during pregnancy results in any birth defects, it’s generally recommended that women who are pregnant or breastfeeding forgo taking this supplement. There are some noted drug interactions as well, so your best bet is to consult a health care provider if you’re using any medications before picking this up at a store. (from Go Ask Alice!)
It features spices that are anti-inflammatory, as well as Vitamin C and Echinacea. The warm liquid helps soothe chest ache and congestion, too.
NOTE: No promises, guarantees or claims here. It usually works for me, and maybe you'll like it, too.
SOOTHING ANTI-VIRUS HOT TODDY
- 1/4" slice of ginger root, peeled and chopped - put into a tea-ball so you can retrieve the pieces after steeping; OR 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- pinch of cayenne powder
- 1 tsp turmeric powder (anti-inflammatory)
- pinch of ground cloves
- contents of 1 capsule 1000mg Vit C (it's anti-viral)
- contents of 1 capsule Echinacea* (it's reputed to be anti-viral)
- 1 tsp honey
- juice of 1/4 to 1/2 lemon
- optional - non-dairy milk (Rice, Almond) to make it taste creamier
- optional - Yogi DeTox tea or Yogi Ginger tea
Add boiling water, cover, and steep for a minute or two.
Remove tea-ball.
Drink this several times a day when you feel like something viral is starting (cold, sore throat, cough, cold sores).
NOTE: A little more about Echinacea: Echinacea is generally seen as a safe supplement that results in few side effects. However, it is noted that if you take it as an oral supplement, you may experience some tingling or numbness in your mouth. Additionally, if you’re allergic to plants in the daisy family or have asthma, it’s recommended that you steer clear of it. It’s advised that folks with a liver disorder, an auto-immune disorder (including HIV/AIDS), leukemia, connective tissue disorder, diabetes, or tuberculosis avoid this supplement. Though there’s little evidence to suggest that using echinacea during pregnancy results in any birth defects, it’s generally recommended that women who are pregnant or breastfeeding forgo taking this supplement. There are some noted drug interactions as well, so your best bet is to consult a health care provider if you’re using any medications before picking this up at a store. (from Go Ask Alice!)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)