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Did you know that the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve has the tallest dunes in North America? The Sand Dunes of Colorado can reach as high as 750 Feet! The sand dunes constantly shift with the wind, water and time sculpting its appearance and beauty. The dunes are in the shadow of the Sangre de Cristo (“Blood of Christ”) Mountains. The Dunes stretch across 30 square miles with an average elevation of 7,500 feet.  Interesting Facts About the Sand Dunes in Colorado: 1) Members of the Ladies P.E.O. sponsored a bill to Congress asking for national monument status for the Great Sand Dunes. The bill was signed into law in 1932 by President Herbert Hoover. 2) In 2000-2004 the Sand Dunes in Colorado was expanded into a national park and preserve. 3) About 300,000 people visit the Great Sand Dunes every year because of the oddly beautiful combination of desert dunes and high mountain peaks, the spring-time flow of Medano Creek, and dark, quiet nights in the Dunes wilderness. 4) Camping, hiking, and photography opportunities are plentiful in the area. “Visitors must walk across the wide and shallow Medano Creek to reach the dunes in spring and summer months. The creek typically has a peak flow from late May to early June in most years. From July through April, the creek is usually no more than a few inches deep, if there is any water at all. Hiking is permitted throughout the dunes with the warning that the sand surface temperature may reach 150 °F (66 °C) in summer. Sandboarding and sandsledding are popular activities, both done on specially designed equipment which can be rented just outside the park entrance or in Alamosa.” Source… The Great Sand Dunes of Colorado is a “Must See” Attraction!
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Happy Valentines Day 2020! This is a special day to send love to those special people in your life. Enjoy this Valentines Day poem to celebrate this special day.  A Valentine is Nothing Like A Valentine is nothing like A chocolate or a rose. For in a week these shall be gone, But Valentines remain. If love were always sweet to tongue Or fragrant to the nose, Each day would be like Valentine’s, And we would go insane. A Valentine just hangs around Waiting to be kissed Long after special days have passed And every days are here. So one is wise to choose one well And chocolates to resist. For in the midst of mania It’s nice to have one near. Source… Related Post: Valentine Cupcakes Enjoy ~ Happy Valentines Day 2020 Short on time this Valentine’s week? These Valentine cupcakes are quick and easy. Make your favorite cupcake recipe or buy plain cupcakes from the bakery. Use white frosting and red hot candies to decorate them You now have a simple, eye-catching Valentine’s Day treat.  Source… We suggest that you use white or, even better, red velvet cupcakes. These flavors will add a special touch to this special day. These cupcakes are great for both young and old to craft. This will keep the little ones occupied for quite some time by frosting and putting on the red candies! ***************************************** Another idea!  Source… Chocolate or Red Velvet cupcake with vanilla frosting and a delicious strawberry to adorn the top! Enjoy Valentine’s Day with these Cute and Easy-to-Make Valentine Cupcakes! Gotta love those Winter Workouts! No matter what time of year it is, exercising in the cold weather has many benefits. Many people use exercise for weight control which is great but don’t forget the myriad of other benefits. Just to name a few: *Keeping your spirits bright during the short days of winter. *Combating “cabin fever” by getting out of the house and into the fresh air. *Controlling stress and keeping balance in life.  Walking and running are good ways to exercise outside in the winter. The key to sticking with an outdoors workout in cold weather is by layering with adequate and appropriate clothes for the weather. You will definitely want to invest in winter weather gear like a headband to cover your ears, gloves with special smart phone-compatible fingers, even “yaktrax” to put over your shoes to run on ice and snow without slipping. One of my favorite pieces of cold weather running gear is a neck warmer…absolutely love it! Layering up is the key to working out in the winter weather. And, don’t be afraid to modify your workout. If you normally run a bit longer but are worried about getting cold or it getting dark, go for quantity not quality. Maybe start a running streak where you run every day, even if it’s just a mile, but at least you get out and get moving regularly. If all else fails, head to the gym for a spinning or “Zumba” class. Another suggestion is walking or running on the treadmill. If the treadmill seems too boring, try downloading some new fast-paced music to put a “spring in your step.” An Arc Trainer or elliptical are also great pieces of cardio equipment for a great workout! For more details, Click Here Winter Workouts Can Be Invigorating As Well As Enjoyable!! Just in time for Valentines Day…clever snack ideas for Valentines Day are easy to make. Add a festive touch to this special day with these snack ideas for Valentines Day that even the kids and grand kids can help make. 1) Easy Marshmallow Valentine Treats Use strawberry marshmallows, dip them in melted chocolate and sprinkle them with little nonpareils. Decorate them with heart picks. So easy and fun!  2) Cupid’s Arrows: candy hearts + pretzel sticks  3) Heart Kabobs – Made with strawberries, cantaloupe, pineapple, watermelon and black olives.  4) Valentine Cinnamon Cookie Crunch Popcorn Mix  Snack Ideas for Valentines Day at Your Fingertips!
We take our eye health for granted. What can we do as we age to keep our eyes healthy? Here are 5 Simple Steps to take: 1. Get tested at least annually! Diseases of the eye can be spotted and then referred to a specialist. Pay attention to symptoms like blurred vision, light flashes, eye pain, swelling or irritation near the eye or eyelid. 2. Wear Sun Glasses. Protect your eyes from bright sunlight and its UV rays. UV extended exposure increase the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration. 3. Quit smoking! Your risks are increased for cataracts, optic nerve damage and macular degeneration. 4. Eat the right foods and nutrients. Omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zinc, and vitamins E and C have been shown in studies to reduce the risk of eye diseases. 5. Use safety glasses or protective goggles when participating in work tasks and various sports activities. Shield your eyes to protect them!  Another concern in our present-day world is the relation of technology and eye health. As we continually rely on technology, we increasingly have incidents of eyestrain. How can we protect our eyes in this digital age? Make sure you blink frequently when working on the computer. On average, we blink about 18 times per minute. However, when we stare at a screen this slows the blink rate. Not blinking enough will lead to itchy, dry and burning eyes. Here are a few additional ways to protect yourself from eyestrain:
Other contributing factors to developing eyestrain include devices with small print held at non-ergonomic angles too far from the eyes. Also, the blue light emitted from digital screens can cause eye strain and keep you awake at night! People who wear glasses or contacts are also susceptible to eye strain. Their prescriptions might not be ideal for mid-range viewing of electronics. Maintain Good Eye Health As You Age!
Yes, parents stuff can be a boomer burden! Many baby boomers and those in the over 50 group are facing the inevitable in life. They have aging parents or their parents have already passed away. Besides coping with the emotional burden, there is also the matter of the financial aspect of a death and also dealing with your parents stuff. It can certainly be overwhelming!  Top 4 suggestions for action to take now and later: 1. Start Now – If parents are alive and willing, ask if they would like help in deciding what they want done with their belongings when they die. They might also want to start giving things away to family and friends while they are still alive. 2. Savor Memories – One way to remember a loved one is to make shadow boxes containing mementos of their hobbies and activities. They take up much less room and provide pleasant memories of a loved one. They can also be made for other members of the family. They make nice mementos for grand children and nieces and nephews. 3. Don’t Wait Too Late – You will be surprised to know that your aging parent (s) would actually welcome help in culling out possessions. It is a good time for them to reflect back on their life. It is also an excellent way to find out more about their life that you maybe didn’t even know! Communicate with your parents early! 4. Dealing with Siblings – Keep in mind when working with siblings in this situation that there are differences in how things should be done. Some adult children just want to “get it done” without giving much time or thought to the process. There are also those that want to touch each item and reminisce to great lengths. Come up with a plan on how you are going to deal with your parent’s possessions that will be workable for all to handle. Professional organizer, Claudia Smith, advocates a simple rule of thumb. “We spend our first 40 years in life collecting things and the second 40 years getting rid of things.” How to Deal with Your Parents Stuff!
So, what is your coffee preference? How do you like your coffee? With cream and sugar, flavored, a complicated mixture of things, or straight-up black? These coffee preferences may best describe your personality. Whether you have a cup of coffee in your hand all day or just need a little boost in the morning, how you drink your coffee and what kind of coffee you drink says a lot about your personality. 1) Those people who take cream and sugar with their coffee are good at being pleasant and small talk. If you don’t have anything nice to say, you can just sit back and sip your coffee. 2) Then there are the folks who need flavored coffee. Sure, a peppermint flavor or a little hazelnut can have its place once in a while, but it’s not an everyday flavor. You’re the kind of person who needs to mix it up all the time and always have a surprise in store! 3) If your coffee type is a complicated one that’s ordered in a coffee shop where you need to say several words to describe it, my guess is that you’re the type of person who showers and puts on makeup before heading to the gym. Well, maybe that’s not all bad!! 4) For those of you who drink straight-up black coffee, I’m assuming you’re a get-it-done person. No muss, no fuss. You take your coffee straight up, and you dish it out straight, too. Chances are I’d have a coffee with you.  The kind of coffee – Dark Roast, French Vanilla, Dark Roast Decaf and everything in between will be left for another time. Frankly, for me it depends on my mood and the time of day as to the kind of coffee I prefer…although, I don’t like it too strong! So…What about you? How do you like your coffee…what is your coffee preference? Leave a ‘Comment’ below! What is Your Coffee Preference? Oh, no…arthritis pain! Sooner or later, according to statistics, those Over 50 will be dealing with some sort of arthritis pain in their bodies. Did you know? Within 20 years the numbers of those affected by this debilitating disease are projected to soar as more and more Americans turn 65 each day. By the year 2030, an estimated 67 million Americans will have arthritis unless the trend is reversed. This is reported by the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). However, there are ways to combat it: “Arthritis affects approximately 50 million people in the United States, according to the Arthritis Foundation. It is the second most frequently reported chronic condition in the United States. It costs the U.S. economy $128 billion annually. Gain insight on natural ways to help ease the pain of one of the nation’s leading and most costly health ailments.”  Did you know? Arthritis strikes 1 in every 5 American adults. It is the nation’s leading cause of disability. But, be encouraged! You can use natural remedies to help ease the pain of arthritis! Dr. Jones-Born provides tips on how to help ease arthritis pain using natural remedies. Remember to consult your health care provider to determine the right exercise plan and diet for specific health conditions. Natural ways to help ease arthritis pain: 1 Weight Loss 2 Chiropractic Care 3 Fish, Green Tea and Ginger 4 Acupuncture 5 Physical Therapy 6 Regular Exercise 7 Vitamin C and Flavonoids 8 Glucosamine and Chondroitin 9 Proanthocyanidins 10 Capsaicin (Chili Pepper) Cream The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers the following tips to help baby boomers avoid injuries:
Remember, variety is a virtue. Include in your fitness program several different kinds of exercises. Aerobic activity and strength training will help you keep your joints strong and flexible. This will help you reduce the risk of injury, especially from overuse. Source… Listen to your body. Your joints will let you know when you’ve gone too far. Living with arthritis can sometimes lead to extreme anxiety and depression. Professional counseling or an arthritis-specific support group will give you an outlet to talk about your emotions. They will also provide you with coping mechanisms. Be Encouraged – There are Ways to Combat Arthritis Pain! Looking for Creative Bookshelves? Look no more! Here are several DIY very creative bookshelves that offer much needed storage for books as well as for displays. They are, indeed, functional as well as attractive! These bookshelves also add a touch of character to your home. The best part is that these are beginner projects. Which one is your favorite?  READ Creative Bookshelf  Stepladder Bookshelf  Circular Bookshelf  Bookshelves with Wine Bottles All of these bookshelves have a unique twist which is sure to please you and the other book readers in your life! They are a good way to give your decor a little twist. Nothing outlandish, but making DIY projects that are just a little different creates a home with personality. Source… Enjoy These Creative Bookshelves DIY Projects! |
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