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Design Your life – Healthy living for Grandparents  Looking into the mirror at your grayed out hair and wrinkled skin, you probably reminisce about those blissful moments when you held your bundle of joy in your arms for the first time. Now, a couple of decades later, your bundle(s) of joy have flown the nest and you are back to thinking about what makes your life worth living. It is just a matter of time before you receive an answer to that question. Grandkids not only let you relive your life’s greatest moments but also make it much more fun to do so! Somehow looking after grandchildren is a lot more enjoyable and much less demanding affair. But to keep pace with those young and energetic hearts and to maximize your fun quotient, it is necessary to build up your strength and sustain it. Healthy living is not a fad that is meant for the younger generation. As archaic as it sounds, life definitely starts after 40 and it is in your hands to make it worthwhile. Here are a few pointers for you to become the healthiest and the most involved grandparents ever. Keep close tabs on your health The best way to keep your body healthy is to know what you are up against. Keep close tabs on your health by drafting regular check-up plans and sticking to it diligently. Getting screened for ailments that are common after the 50 age mark, everything from diabetes to heart, kidney ailments and cancer, should be in your top priority list every few months. Identifying your problems on time helps greatly with the treatment and its success. Watch what you put into your mouth Age transforms the way you and your body look at food. From changes in metabolism to modifications in taste buds, you need to adapt your lifestyle to suit your body and its demands. While minimizing sodium and sugar intake, it is necessary to maximize intake of fruits, vegetables, fibers, lean protein etc, Ensure that you always stay hydrated with water and other fluids. Cooking and eating need not be a lonely affair. Socialize and get more involved with people around you to make it more interesting. Bring in that zing Age is all the more reason to stay lively and active. Add some physical and mental activity into your daily routine. Take an hour of your time to invigorate your body through simple workouts like walking, jogging, yoga and fight your heart and bone ailments much more effectively. It is best to consult your physician and health advisor before starting any physical activity. As you age your mental acumen declines and that is not a secret but there are ways to reduce its effect. From books, simple puzzles, crosswords and small games to hobbies that motivate you, spare some time to bring back the zing in your routine. Get some shut-eye Sleep issues like insomnia are some of the major causes of physical ailments in older people. Though your sleep patterns might undergo changes as you age, simple practices like transforming your bedroom to look and feel more dark and comfortable, changing your bedtime, taking a bath before bed, avoiding television etc, can significantly boost the chances of getting a good night’s sleep. Discover happiness You are the one person in this world to know what brings you happiness. Be it long forgotten hobbies or contributing for worthy causes or participating in community development programs, be it socializing and finding new friends and connecting with your family or bonding with pets, pick your source of joy and work on it to peel away any discontent and depression from your life. By choosing to be healthy and happy you are transforming yourself into fantastic role models for your grandkids to follow. As much as grandchildren would like to hear stories from you, you should remember that the greatest story that you share with them will be that of your life. For More: Healthy Living Tips for Grandparents A Neat & Tidy Post: A Less-Cluttered Bedroom Healthy Living for Grandparents – A Must to Age Well and Enjoy Life!
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Tiramisu Layer Cake Italian dessert recipes aren’t that hard to make and especially this one. This is an easy version of the wonderful Tiramisu that is a favorite dessert for many. Using a box cake mix as a base makes it a real time saver and you still get the fancy taste without all the work! Let us know how you like this yummy Italian dessert!  Yield: 1 – 3 layer 9 inch cake Ingredients: CAKE:
FILLING:
FROSTING:
GARNISH:
Directions:
Enjoy this Delicious Tiramisu Layer Cake Recipe! Source: AllRecipes
Did you know there are hot springs destinations in Colorado? For hundreds of years Coloradans have flocked to the relaxing and healing waters that are distinct to natural hot springs. Due to the heat and minerals found in these hot springs all over Colorado, they are said to have healing properties which leave you feeling rejuvenated! Hot spring pools are, without a doubt, extremely relaxing and beautiful. Why should we make a trip to an Earth’s natural spa? The main benefits of hot spring pools are:
With all these therapeutic benefits, how could you not want to make your way to a hot spring? We created a list of some of the most popular hot springs to visit in Colorado. We hope you’ll go check them out! Just click on each title to go to their website. 1. Avalanche Ranch      Oh, those mood swings that seem to be an inevitable part of our lives! Did you know you can actually control them so the good days are even better and the bad days aren’t so bad after all? Regardless of your age, surroundings or background, you can reduce your mood swings and increase your overall happiness. Four proven ways to reduce mood swings and increase your happiness: 1) Diet and Mood Swings – What you eat really does make a difference in how you feel each day, especially your overall mood. Eating lots of fresh, organic fruits, vegetables, high-quality grains and lean protein is a good place to start. Your “happiness baseline” will be higher and you can keep on improving. You can also add dark chocolate and stay away from alcohol, nicotine and sugar for even more success in balancing mood swings. 2) Exercise and Mood Swings – Getting a “runner’s high” is the result of prolonged physical activity because it releases mood-enhancing endorphins. This equates to 30 minutes of aerobic exercise two to three times a week which can have a very positive effect on your overall happiness. Exercise also keeps your body healthier and gives you more energy which lessens the risk of going into a slump.  3) Rest and Mood Swings – We can’t emphasize enough the importance of getting a minimum of six or seven hours of sleep a night. Your body must have sleep to repair itself! Rest also encompasses quiet time in the form of meditation, sitting quietly sipping a warm beverage or any other method of quieting the body and mind without distractions. Our addiction to technology is a major contributor to the stress in America today! 4) Happiness Emphasis and Mood Swings – It is possible to elevate your mood by simple daily exercises.
These bonus tips will help you get started on your way to more happiness and less stress in your life:
Do you want to know the 6 Myths of Retirement? Of course, you do! Myth# 1: How much should you save for retirement ~ “Your retirement plan and withdrawal strategy should be as unique as you are, taking into account your current finances, future income, goals and dreams along with many other considerations.” Myth# 2: Medicare will cover healthcare needs during retirement ~ Medicare can be a godsend for doctor visits and hospitalization costs. However, it does not cover most long-term care needs such as extended nursing home stays, assisted living and many types of home health care. Keeping health care costs in mind is a vital part of retirement planning. Myth# 3: I can’t count on Social Security ~ You can’t count on Social Security payments to cover all your retirement needs. However, it can make sense to estimate what your payments will be as part of your overall retirement planning and budget. Consider delaying Social Security payments beyond your full retirement age up until age 70. You may receive significantly larger monthly checks.  Myth# 4:
I can work as long as I have to ~ Did you know that half of all early retirements are due to illness or disability? Also, finding good paying jobs later in life can be difficult. The bottom line: it’s probably best not to rely too much on income that you may make during your retirement. Myth# 5: I’ll spend less and pay less taxes in retirement ~ You may actually be spending more in retirement than you thought. Think about traveling, visiting children and grandchildren as well as pursuing new hobbies and activities. It all takes money! Myth# 6: Home situation will stay the same ~ Moving is often a major part of retirement. You may decide to move closer to family members. Or, you may need an assisted living situation or an area with more transportation and maintenance services at hand. Make sure you consult with a certified financial planner (CFP) and/or a lawyer with expertise in finance issues for retirement. Avoid the 6 Myths of Retirement. For More… 6 Myths of Retirement – Plan Now! In this day and age, a Baby Boomer may very well be a solo senior for various reasons! According to Sara Zeff Geber, about 20% of Baby Boomers today do not have children. There are also thousands of Baby Boomers whose kids are estranged, not functional or live far away. They will also age solo! On any given weekend in a retirement community you will find lots of visitors milling around the property and visiting the residents. Most of these visitors are family; namely, adult children and grandchildren of the residents. These families are making sure their oldest members get out of their homes and remind them they are not alone in the world. What happens when the older generation in our society who do not have family to take them to lunch and visit with them? Who can they count on for companionship? And, who will give them aide when they reach a point in life where they cannot do everything for themselves?  It is crucial that solo seniors carefully prepare to ensure a safe and secure future for themselves. This includes:
********************************************* Here are helpful resources for a Solo Senior to age successfully:
Join a Facebook Group for Solo Seniors ~ Elder Orphans Facebook group Start a Club ~ Start your own club Find a Life Care Associate ~ Aging Life Care Association 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! 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!! |
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