A Bad Reputation Healthy Favorites In Moderation
Re-Inventing RETIREMENT The Sky Is The Limit
Reinvigorating The Past 2012 DĂŠcor Trends
boomers...living life to the fullest FEBRUARY 2012
boomerbuzzmagazine.com
The “I’ll Just Have One More” Martini 3 oz. gin or vodka 1/2 oz. dry vermouth 3 olives 1 automobile 1 long day 1 diminishing attention span 1 too many Combine ingredients. Drink. Repeat. Mix with sharp turn, telephone pole.
Never underestimate ‘just a few.’ Buzzed driving is drunk driving.
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CONTENTS
FEBRUARY IN THIS ISSUE
EDITOR’S LETTER FEATURE HEALTHY BALANCE AT HOME THE EPICUREAN STYLE WATCH BOOM VOYAGE REDEFINING WEALTHY & WISE BOOMER BUZZ BLOG SPEAK MEDICAL MATTERS RESOURCES
6 Welcome 10 Re-Inventing Retirement 12 Have a Heart and Love Your Heart 18 2012 Décor Trends: Reinvigorating the Past 22 Flavorful Fun 22 Looking Naturally Beautiful After 40 30 Discover The Ultimate In Old World Charm 33 They’re Leaving the Nest, Not You 36 Understand The Medicare Precipice 38 Relationship Buzz With Beverly 40 the beat goes on 44 The Mid-Life Depression Trigger 50 General Directory
COVER ALICE & BOB HINCKLEY PHOTO BECCA MENIG
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info@boomerbuzzmagazine.com
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EDITOR
EDITOR’S LETTER Welcome All Baby Boomers; Those of you Born Between 1946 and 1964. Remember 1946? Following the end of the war, the United Nations held their first meeting. New products, such as Tide detergent and the electric clothes dryer hit the market, easing household chores, and Dr. Benjamin Spock taught parents ways to raise their children. Frank Sinatra’s first studio album was released and Marilyn Monroe went blonde. For those on the far end of the boomer time line, 1964 gave us Medicare and ushered the Civil Rights Act into law. Ford introduced the Mustang, the Beatles made their American debut on the Ed Sullivan Show and Cassius Clay defeated Sonny Liston for the heavyweight boxing title. Elizabeth Taylor married Richard Burton. We Boomers are the generation of change; redefining traditional values and remodeling the world, our way. On New Year’s Day 2011, the first Boomers turned 65, the age historically linked to retirement, Early Bird Specials and rocking chairs. With an average of 10,000 people crossing that threshold each day for the next nineteen years, Baby Boomers will continue to redefine life and the inevitable changes that are still to come, with youthful exuberance. boomerbuzzmagazine.com is here for and about you. In the inaugural issue, our mission is to help you navigate through information, options, and ultimately decisions. We will bring you engaging, insightful features with videos on topics you find interesting and important. The magazine will combine tradition with multimedia, in a flipbook, digital reader format which you can enjoy at your convenience. Monthly features include Healthy Balance, Fit at Any Age, At Home and Style Watch. Redefining Retirement, Healthy Wealth, Boomers & Business, Medical Matters, and Senior Resource Guide will provide just what their names imply. And on a lighter side, you can check out Boomer Buzz and Blog Speak. If a change of scenery is in your plans, Boom Voyage details travel opportunities, whatever your budget and destination. Can’t travel? Gourmet food and wine experiences presented in The Epicurean will take you there. boomerbuzzmagazine.com offers something for everyone. I want to extend heartfelt appreciation to my friend and business partner, Bill Freda. We are linked not only by the same birth date but by this same vision of a grand magazine; just for you, the Baby Boomer. Thanks Bill!
It is with great enthusiasm and excitement that I present this premier issue of boomebuzzmagazine.com. We’ll be reading, learning and changing together in the pages to come. I hope you enjoy them and I look forward to hearing from you. boomers...living life to the fullest
HIDDEN TREASURES
Just like PBS’s “Antiques Roadshow”, bring your special keepsakes to show everyone. Tell us your story and find out if your treasure is really valuable! A local antique expert will be on hand to guide us. Complimentary wine, cheese and hors d’oeuvres will be served. The first 10 participants to R.S.V.P. will receive a copy of the book “Antiques Roadshow Collectibles”. Seating is limited.
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PUBLISHER William Robin Company, LLC
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Robin Roberson
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Linda Moncrief
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Sherry Koven
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Mariah Scott Rushing
CREATIVE DESIGN Jeremiah Grey Marketing Works Mel Stock
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Holly Kuper
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Justin Arnold Nancy Baldwin Julese Crenshaw Joy Freda Emily Harvey Michele Howe Beverly Jones Sonja Kabell DeeDee Lowder
Jeff McKissack Ron Maddox Becca Menig Mary Millholland Jacki Muehlenbein R. M. Oliver Jet Parker Cynthia Stock Nick Trout V. Michelle Moll
THE ENTIRE CONTENTS OF BOOMER BUZZ MAGAZINE ARE COPYRIGHT 2012 BY BOOMER BUZZ MAGAZINE AND MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN ANY MANNER, EITHER IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITH SPECIFIC WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THE PUBLISHERS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. BOOMER BUZZ MAGAZINE DOES NOT ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR UNSOLICITED MANUSCRIPTS, ARTWORK OR PHOTOGRAPHS. THE VIEWS EXPRESSED HEREIN ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF THE PUBLISHERS.
boomers...living life to the fullest
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FEATURE RETIREMENT
Re-Inventing Retirement by Jet Parker
be thought as a journey RetirementRetirement should beshould thought of as aofjourney full of possible experiences, a rebirth of sorts.The The full of possible experiences, a rebirth of sorts. traditional definition,withdrawal withdrawal from from the the traditional definition, workforce; to seek privacy or seclusion, does workforce; to seek privacy or seclusion, does not not necessarily apply to those retiring in 2011. necessarily apply to those retiring in 2011. Retirement offers many new experiences and Retirement offers many new experiences and opportunities to boomers; ones that open the doors opportunities to boomers; ones that openofthe doors to more personal purpose, exploration unfulfilled to more personal purpose, exploration of unfulfilled aspirations and unexpected career opportunities, but aspirations and unexpected opportunities, not necessarily an end tocareer working. It is a chance but to not necessarily an endtry to something working. Itnew is aand chance to re-invent oneself, different, re-invent new and different, not oneself, to slide try intosomething retreat. Retirement is being redefined boomers for generations to follow and not to slide by into retreat. Retirement is being the aspect of retirement age is being rewritten. redefined by boomers for generations to follow and the aspect of retirement age is being rewritten.
Recently, when asked the question, “What is the most important issue you face as a boomer today?” Recently, when asked the question, “What is the Doug Poretz, Co-Founder and Chairman of Nuuko, most important issue you face as a boomer today?” www.nuuko.com, a marketplace where enterprise Dougexperts Poretz, (either Co-Founder and Chairman Nuuko, individually or as a of group) and www.nuuko.com, a marketplace enterprise enterprises can meet in where a safe, respectful experts (either individually or as a agroup) andI'm environment, answered “Having meaning. enterprises can meet in a safe, respectful building this new business on that need. A couple of environment, I’min years ago I answered initiated the“Having effort to asellmeaning. my interests a successful co-founded helped building this newcompany businessthat on Ithat need. Aand couple of that became pretty As inthea years build ago I initiated the effort to sellsuccessful. my interests likelihood of that sale happening increased, I started successful company that I co-founded and helped thinking: "What next?" Because I would make build that became pretty successful. As some the decent money from the sale of my business interest, likelihood of that sale happening increased, I started the answer was wide open. So, I asked friends, some thinking: “What next?” Because I would make some older who already confronted the issue of hitting decent"retirement money from of about my business interest, age,"the andsale some my age just going the answer was wide open. So, I asked friends, some through the same thinking I was, and some younger older and whojust already confronted the issue of hittingI beginning to define the questions.
boomers...living life to the fullest
“retirement age, ” andassome my age going discovered one thing: muchabout as people talkjust about kicking back and thinking traveling and playing golf, younger few through the same I was, and some reallyjust wantbeginning to devote their lives to leisure pursuits. I and to define the questions. They want to be thing: useful -want to stay engaged discovered one asthey much as people talk about they want to be in the game. This is especially true few kicking back and traveling and playing golf, of those who built expertise over a long career. The really want to devote their lives to leisure pursuits. person who was a senior executive in charge of They want to be useful -- they want to stay engaged distribution channels for 40 years does not want to they be in game. Thisand is especially true lose want touch to with thethe issues, trends people that ofwere those whoof built expertise overtime a long a part their life all that just career. becauseThe person senior executive in charge they leftwho theirwas job aand are now presumed to be of distribution channels for 40 years does not want to "retired." And, of course, they want to generate lose touchI with the issues, that trends andasked people that income. also discovered when what they awould to do, thethat vasttime majority said were part prefer of their life all just because "consult." And ajob few of them Butpresumed most didn't. they left their and aredid. now to be Because although the executive may have been a “retired.” And, of course, they want to generate guru about distribution channels, he knew nothing income. I also discovered that when asked what about how to find a consulting client, how to they would prefer to do, the vast majority said determine a fee or even structure and manage an “consult.” And a few of them did. But most didn’t. engagement. But they have enormous talent -- those Because haveand been a that havealthough already leftthe theexecutive "normal" may workforce guru aboutthe distribution he knew especially wave that channels, is emerging. Whatnothing an about how to find a consulting client, incredible untapped resource that would be ifhow thoseto determine a fee oraseven and manage people floundered they structure search for ways to occupyan engagement. But they have enormous talent their time at the very same time enterprises have--a growing acquireleft as the much intelligence as those thatneed havetoalready “normal” workforce possible. and especially the wave that is emerging. What an incredible untapped resource that would be if our new business setsearch out to for address those Anyhow, people floundered as they ways to that need, and as we began to do research, we occupy their time at the very same time enterprises discovered something we didn't quite expect: the have a growing need to acquire as much platform we envisioned for Boomers started getting intelligence as possible. positive responses from people much younger. It became clear that age wasn't a limiting factor when
FEATURE RETIREMENT
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Anyhow, our new business set out to address that need, and as we began to do research, we discovered something we didn’t quite expect: the platform we envisioned for Boomers started getting positive responses from people much younger. It became clear that age wasn’t a limiting factor when seeking an opportunity to market and sell expertise, on assignments that interest you, on a schedule and from a venue and at fees you control. So, I guess it is fair to say that a lifestyle conceived of for people in the 50s and 60s and 70s is very attractive to those who are younger. And that’s another way of addressing the fact that the 20s are the new 60s and 70s.”
What are you qualified to do? What are you good at and what skills do you have to offer? Have you spent years reaching goals which were not really important to you? If so, now is the time to assess the goals that are important to you. You can decide when and where to work. Or decide not to work but pursue that hobby you love. Do you want to keep busy and be challenged or relaxed, taking each day as it comes?
The New Retirementality, from Mitch Anthony, is all about the ability to achieve the freedom to pursue your goals, at your own pace, on your own terms … regardless of your age. He promotes the premise that most retirees have a lot of living to do, a good deal to offer society and are impatient with waiting until someone tells them it’s ok to do what you really want.
Ann Fry is on the leading edge of the boomer generation, author, lecturer, parent, therapist, has recently renamed her former business It’s BoomerTime into We Are Booming: Still Raising our Voices and Changing the World and she continues to encourage boomers to do whatever “lights you up!” Her mission speaks to what retiring boomers are considering at this time of their lives:
“I
• Shift the conversation “aging” … to create a new consciousness and alter the limiting stereotypes. • Encourage our aging population to pioneer the next generation into thriving and vibrant lifestyles. • Inspire the demographic to speak up and seek resolution and change for our country and world. • Take on volunteerism and “giving back” to leave the world a better place.
DISCOVERED ONE THING: AS MUCH ASPEOPLE TALK ABOUT KICKING BACK AND TRAVELING AND PLAYING GOLF, FEW REALLY WANT TO DEVOTE THEIR LIVES TO LEISURE PURSUITS. THEY WANT TO BE USEFUL...” Research from Retirementoptions.com indicates a new retirement renewal stage is emerging as one reaches age 50 and lasts until 70. It is a period of growth and development and the key to successfully navigating this time of renewal is to be prepared for it. Have you thought about what you want once you are free to take a more personal approach to your life? Free to pursue your passion, your dreams, new goals. Or if you are on the younger side are you evaluating your options with an eye toward what you really want from a lifetime career? You need to consider what you like and identify your personality and talents. And do not limit your imagination!
Most boomers facing retirement want enriching fulfillment whether in jobs or leisure activities. They are not ready to fade away and contrary to popular belief they are seeking their own sense of purpose and meaning.
Studies show that the majority of retirees work for pleasure, mental stimulation, and personal fulfillment, not financial need. Just as they planned their careers, boomers will plan their retirement which is likely to be the active development of ideas and a movement towards a more balanced life and diversified set of interests, relationships, and routines. Boomers will think about new avenues of involvement in every area of life, and will act and move towards the life they want to live. It will be a journey; a time that marks a passage from a life of work to a life of accomplishment, leisure and choice. Never count the boomer out! The generation of change will change retirement as we currently think of it and in all likelihood will become an untapped resource which can lead the talent pool of the future in every way. boomers...living life to the fullest
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HEALTHY BALANCE HEALTHY FAVORITES
W
e typically think of February as the month of love. Not only is February the month to celebrate your loved ones, it is also heart-healthy month. February is a great time to focus on how to love your heart and keep it healthy. According to the Center of Disease Control, heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States. Every 25 seconds, someone in our country will have a coronary event. I want to share with you a few simple tips to help you to help your heart beat like a drum! Keeping trim and fit is of central importance to your health. Having a healthy BMI (body mass index) will make an important contribution to lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease (among other things): for example, just losing 10% of your current weight will improve your health by 100%. Here are a few key tips about food: • Grilling, baking, broiling, stir-frying and steaming are great ways to prepare foods. • Use less oil in the preparation of your meal; you can substitute a low-calorie cooking spray. • Cut back on gravy, cream and high-fat sauces. • Trim and remove the visible fat from meat and poultry. • Prepare fresh foods as opposed to prepackaged foods. • Lower your sodium intake by using herbs, lemon juice and spices instead of salt. • Everyone in the family should snack on fresh fruit and vegetables - like oranges, apples, bananas, and carrots boomers...living life to the fullest
instead of chips, crackers, and pretzels. Physical activity is HIGH on the heart-healthy tips list. Getting regular activity will improve your overall health, help you burn calories at rest and put you in a better mood! Activity helps you to control both your weight and your blood pressure, and will significantly decrease your risk of stroke and heart disease. Here are a few tips to get you started: • Walking your favorite pet is an easy way to get going – and they will love you too! • Cut your grass and clean your house to burn calories! • Remove your dry cleaning, dust off that exercise equipment that is in your home, and get started right away. • Make it a family affair: get out and get active together with the kids and grandkids. • Make all these activities a priority and schedule them into your calendar. Adding trust worthy nutritional supplements to your daily routine is essential. Look for a pharmaceutical grade supplements like Coenzyme Q10. As you age, your body naturally produces less coenzyme Q10. The benefits associated with these nutrients include sound muscle function, healthy nerve function, and good cardiovascular health. Love your heart and help it be at its best. You can’t live without it! Sonja Kabell, Creating Healthy Lifestyles, Weight Loss and Wellness Consultant
HuNGEr lIstENs to MusIc, too. 1 IN 6 AMErIcANs struGGlEs WItH HuNGEr.
toGEtHEr WE’rE
Hunger is closer than you think. reach out to your local food bank for ways to do your part. Visit FeedingAmerica.org today.
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HEALTHY BALANCE HEALTHY FAVORITES
Healthy Favorites in Moderation V. Michelle Moll
Let’s face it, in today’s informed society most of us have an idea of what’s healthy and what’s not. Healthy eating includes choosing the best foods to meet your nutritional needs and consuming the right amount of energy to maintain your ideal weight. Most foods, if eaten in moderation, are not bad for us and can fit into an overall wholesome meal plan. The question becomes, what’s in moderation? How restrictive or generous should we be in our interpretation? For me, moderation is determined by my current hunger status and monthly cravings. And moderation means eating the food in a healthy form rather than an unhealthy one; Loaded versus unloaded, fried or grilled, cream or low fat, sauce or not. The following 6 foods traditionally have a reputation for being bad but are really healthy, or can be healthy, as long as they are consumed in moderation and prepared properly. You don’t have to give up favorites, just think smart when eating them.
The Healthy Spud
There’s nothing better than a good baked potato! They are low in calories (161 for a medium baked potato, with 4 g of filling fiber) and a recent roundup of 160 studies found that potatoes contain a nutrient called resistant starch, a fibrous substance that offers healthy benefits and aids in weight loss. Potatoes have valuable vitamins and minerals, like C and B6, potassium, iron and thiamin. And they can protect against colon cancer, assist in lowering cholesterol and help the body tolerate glucose and insulin. But most people only care about how they taste when loaded with sour cream, cheese and butter or sprinkled liberally with salt and dipped in sugary catsup – all the reasons potatoes get a bad rap. Have you tried one in boomers...living life to the fullest
years fixed so you could actually taste the potato? If not, next time you order up those super-sized fries or decide on loaded or unloaded, think about the benefits you could gain with a little moderation and remember the healthiest part of the potato is the peel. Then enjoy!
Where’s the Beef?
Does your mouth water at the thought of a good juicy steak? Calorie-for-calorie, beef is one of the most nutrient-rich foods so a good steak can be healthy for you. As with so many foods, it’s really a matter of making a smart choice; a 4-ounce serving of beef qualifies as “lean” if it has fewer than 10 grams of total fat and no more than 4.5 grams of saturated fat, so read the label. Steak house-size portions offer enough beef . Experts are recommending that we eat lean beef for its wealth of iron (which many women don’t get enough of), zinc and conjugated linoleic acid - oh, great, CLA!? What the heck is that and do you really care?! Just so you know, it’s a good thing – CLA reduces fat and preserves muscle tissue. And beef is the #1 source of protein. Stick with lean cuts like sirloin or flank steak with servings of no more than 4 ounces, and avoid ribs and ground beef constantly and beef is fine for you. But more than that and you need to think twice. The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) states: “Ground beef adds more fat – and more artery clogging saturated fats – to the average American’s diet than any other single food,” so beware or at least aware before making burgers staple in your diet. And, when buying beef for those outdoor bar-b-ques, choose lean beef, though it costs a few cents more. The benefits are worth it! For two people, not a wise selection.
HEALTHY BALANCE HEALTHY FAVORITES
Love at First Bite…Chocolate
Nothing exudes love like chocolate and for many of us a day without chocolate is a day without sunshine! Oh that luscious delicate confectionery delight - creamy milk chocolate, rich decadent dark chocolate, and smooth buttery white chocolate. Yummy! Chocolate, and dark chocolate in particular, is rich in substances called polyphenols which lower the risk of heart disease by preventing LDL, or ‘bad’ cholesterol, from adhering to arteries. There is mounting evidence that some of the chemicals concentrated in cocoa products called flavanoids (also found in green tea and red wine) may actually help your heart. Chocolate improves vascular reactivity, the ability of blood vessels to dilate when stressed, in both healthy people and people with heart disease, and the Journal of the American Medical Association reports that a small dose of dark chocolate lowers blood pressure without causing weight gain. Help our hearts… What could be better?! There is a “but” though, chocolate is high in fat and calories -- but having a small piece of chocolate or a cup of hot cocoa daily, can be beneficial. And according to researchers at Yale University, chocolate smells good and sniffing it can stimulate regions in the brain different from taste. So if you think chocolate tastes unbelievably delicious, smell it first and the experience should be mind blowing!
Feel Like a Nut?
Are you nutty about nuts? Well you are not alone. If you can restrain yourself from overeating them, nuts can definitely be a part of a healthy diet. But you need to be aware that nuts do contain a fair amount of fat (80% per nut) and even though most of it is healthy fat, it’s
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still a lot of calories. That’s why you should eat nuts in moderation. They contain largely monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats which have heart-protective benefits and in fact, if you buy a package of walnuts, you’ll see a new label claim stating that eating 1.5 ounces daily, as part of a low saturated fat and lowcholesterol diet, and not resulting in increased caloric intake, may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. In addition nuts are a good source of protein, vitamin E, selenium, fiber and the phytochemical resveratrol, which is known to lower cholesterol. Many dishes can be enhanced with nuts and your cravings can be thus satisfied, but other than handful snack you should ideally use nuts as a substitute for saturated fats, such as those found in meats, eggs and dairy products. or instance, when making cookies, sprinkle on some nuts. Or instead of making a deli meat sandwich, try a nut butter toast. The trick is to restrain yourself from overeating them
Cocktail, Fried, Grilled or Salad? Shrimp, That Is.
There has been a great deal of controversy over whether or not this small crustacean is a benefit or a threat to health. Shrimp was considered high in cholesterol which in food doesn’t raise blood cholesterol levels nearly as much as saturated fats and trans fatty acids do. But shrimp is no longer viewed an a villain because it has very little fat, and what fat it does have, is of the unsaturated and omega-3 fatty acid variety, which helps with rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of inflammation. In addition, they are a great source of protein, selenium (neutralizes the injurious effects if free radicals which is the main cause of cancer and other degenerative diseases.), vitamin B12 while low in calories -- there are 14 grams of protein and only 66 calories in a dozen large steamed shrimp. The key to assuring the healthy benefits of this salt-water shellfish is how the shrimp are prepared and how many you eat. boomers...living life to the fullest
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HEALTHY BALANCE HEALTHY FAVORITES
Active… Safe.
Choose steamed over fried without heavy breading or thick sauces and you can enjoy this tidbit to your heart’s desire.
by Jeff McKissack
“Chocolate, and dark chocolate in
particular, is rich in substances called polyphenols which lower the risk of heart disease...” An Awesome Fruit, The Avocado
The awesome avocado has a bad reputation because it’s rich in fat; however their flavor, texture, nutrition and culinary versatility make them a very desirable, tasty fruit. Avocados are rich in fat, but monounsaturated fat, which studies show, may increase HDL (the good”) cholesterol and generally improve heart health. However, the calories are so high that moderation is required when eating them. A healthy serving is about 30 grams, or about one-fifth of an avocado, which has about 50 calories. They are high in fiber, particularly soluble fiber, which promotes regularity, helps regulate the body’s use of sugars, and lowers blood cholesterol levels. They also contain potassium, a mineral that helps regulate blood pressure, vitamins E, K and B6, copper and their active compounds may help prevent cancer. Gram for gram, avocados provide more potassium than bananas, and potassium is critical for nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, and heart function. Additionally, avocados provide a good amount of magnesium, which your body needs to metabolize carbohydrates and fats. Despite the calories, avocados can be a healthy food item and can be substituted for butter or cream cheese and also go well in sushi rolls, soups, salads, and as a side dish. So eat up, just smartly! To achieve balance and moderation in your eating, focus on giving yourself as much natural, real food as you can for most of your meals while increasing your intakes of fruits and vegetables and adding more hole-grain products. With a few minor adjustments to thinking and eating smart, you’re on the road to improving your health and your weight. Make moderation a part of your eating—and enjoy all foods! boomers...living life to the fullest
W
e all know that age means nothing related to an individual’s social and athletic abilities any longer. Boomers and seniors both now enjoy longer life and more active lifestyles. But while these benefits have improved, the state of our society has not. Remember the days when you could keep your door unlocked, run your errands and return home knowing nothing would happen while you were away? Remember the days when you saw a stranger on the roadside, their car broken down, and you could lend assistance with little or no thought to your personal safety in doing so? Remember the days you could travel abroad and were welcomed in almost every country as an American traveling overseas? Well, I am glad you can remember those days, as they are unfortunately behind us now. The fact is our society; our economy and even our foreign policy now dictate that we have our own personal “threat detection system.” But how do you enjoy life without being in a constant state of concern or paranoia? Two things I think are keys to doing so are relatively easy strategies, if followed. First, whenever your instinct is telling you something or someone is not right – listen! The instincts are our internal early-warning system. They have been gifted to you from eons of genetic engineering, but they only work if followed when they respond to the possibility of harm. And by the way, that harm could be physical or fiscal. There is very little in my mind that separates a Ted Bundy from a Bernie Madoff type of individual. Both of these men “conned” their victims into trusting them. But in one case (Bundy) it cost people their lives while in another case (Madoff) it cost people their life savings. But neither of these put a gun or knife to someone’s head to get in their car or transfer millions of dollars. People did so willingly because they did not listen to that internal early-warning system – the instincts.
HEALTHY BALANCE ACTIVE & SAFE
Second, while we hear much about “profiling” in ournews and society, most people really are not profiling. Instead they are “stereotyping.” They base their judgments and decisions to trust someone on the other person’s gender, age, attire, vehicle, race, etc. Remember the old saying from our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents? “You can’t judge a book by its cover.” Never was this saying as relevant as to when it is applied to assessing potential threat from an unknown person. If approached by an older person, a child or a female our guard is often lowered as we assume this person can pose us no threat. The problem in such an assessment is that this person may not be alone. They may simply be the “bait” to lure your cooperation into a compromising situation related to your safety. This is when you have to go back to our first point, trusting the instincts rather than simple appearances.
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I want people of all ages to enjoy life, but part of enjoying life is simply taking precautions along the way. Another proverb we are all familiar with suggests “it’s better to be safe than sorry.” I want you to enjoy your nights on the town, to enjoy your travels abroad, to enjoy jogging or biking down the trails in your city, to enjoy walks through your neighborhood or down the streets of the cities you visit, to enjoy going to parties or dancing with your friends. You have earned the right to enjoy a fruitful and active life. So stay active, but stay safe as well. Jeff McKissack is author of Power Proverbs for Personal Defense. An authority on the subjects of profiling and threat assessment, Jeff best sums up his work by saying, “I teach you how to spot trouble before trouble spots you.” More information on Jeff is available at www.DefenseByDesign.com
While at first the task before us may seem daunting, assessing every such situation when interacting with people we do not know, or do not know as well as we “think” we know them. But the instinct will be your guide. I am absolutely convinced after presenting to over 350,000 people during the last two decades that people really know more than they think they know. The problem lies in when they do not act on their inward compass that tells them if they are moving in the wrong direction with person or persons unknown. The balance lies in the context of any situation. If someone bumps your car in traffic at 11am at a busy intersection, you can then assume it would be safe to pull over to the side to exchange insurance information to remedy the harm done to your car. However, if that same scenario were to play out at 11pm on a less traveled road, you might think twice before acting as above. It is about reading the context of the situation and truly honing into your instincts to truly and safely evaluate any potential threat. boomers...living life to the fullest
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AT HOME REINVIGORATING DÉCOR
2012 Décor Trends: Reinvigorating The Past Today’s Styles Take Inspiration from Classic Design by Nancy Baldwin
Remember the good old days? Remember when life was simpler, not so hectic? It wasn’t really so long ago that a gallon of gas was $1.25 and concerns about the economy were fleeting. Now we’re caught in a pressure-filled, over-worked lifestyle that leaves little time for relaxation at home. So it’s no surprise that our shopping habits have changed, and home décor stores and manufacturers have responded. Influenced by consumers’ subconscious wish for a less demanding, simpler life, producers of furniture and decorative accents have designed home décor that harkens back to earlier years. Shoppers can expect to see furniture and accessories which combine classic elements with contemporary details, incorporating texture into upholstery fabrics, metal and wood. Interior designer Pam Norman, Plano, Texas knows this trend all too well. “Vintage is a big trend,” she remarks, explaining that this style doesn’t have just one look but has several “branches” which merge classic with modern. Most obvious is the movement toward adapting traditional furniture to fit more closely within a contemporary world, with Gen X and Gen Y consumers the most enthusiastic supporters of this trend. While the familiar lines of traditional furniture foster a feeling of comfort and safety in our unfamiliar world, younger shoppers see this decor as dated and stuffy. “The younger generation wants to embrace their grandmother’s or mother’s furniture, but put their own stamp on it,” explains Norman. “They like the classic ‘bones’ and structure of the lines, but they want to make it their own.” boomers...living life to the fullest
These consumers are likely to purchase a traditional Queen Anne or Chippendale chair at a flea market, strip the finish and whitewash or repaint the chair a light blue or bright orange. Contemporary textured fabrics are then added to give the piece a fashionable flare. Manufacturers have been quick to recognize this trend and have added updated classic pieces to this year’s lines. Bold finish colors and fabrics brighten traditional occasional tables, case goods and upholstery. It’s also no surprise that the vintage trend incorporates the use of repurposed materials. Ever mindful of our carbon footprint and impact on the world, young eco-friendly shoppers and manufactures alike are working to reuse existing materials, especially natural products. “Necessity is the mother of invention - born out of a desire to be mindful of our planet and use what we already have and make it different,” notes Norman. “Also, the economy has created a need for saving money.” Nowhere is this more evident than in the rapid rise of industrial home décor which Norman describes as a branch of vintage. “Industrial harkens back to another era. People are using things salvaged from factories and laboratories.”
AT HOME REINVIGORATING DÉCOR
First becoming popular with young urban loft dwellers who collected factory crates and carts for use as makeshift furniture, the look has morphed into chic tables and lighting created by top designers. Hallmarks of the trend are galvanized steel boxes, plank wooden tables with wheeled legs, metal file cabinets and industrial pendant and task lighting. “It’s functional, artistic and has a reclaimed feel. It gives an edge to a room,” explains Norman. “There’s a fascination with the mechanical parts being very artistic. Real artisans are creating the reclaimed industrial look.” In fact, so popular is the trend that Gen Xer’s are “going to salvage yards and warehouses” to find unique pieces to be repurposed into trendy furnishings. “They’re very creative about repurposing,” laughs Norman. Natural and repurposed materials are a trademark of both the classic vintage and industrial look. Each style merges traditional frames with natural fabrics, reclaimed wood or metal to create chic, contemporary fashion décor.
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of furniture.” Industrial furniture is softened by rough hewn wood “reclaimed planks or almost a driftwood appearance with steel wheels.” While the contrast between classic vintage and industrial chic might seem to make decorating a challenge, nothing could be further from the truth. “I can see doing a vintage slip-covered sofa with an industrial steel and reclaimed wood coffee table,” remarks Norman. “It’s functional and artistic. The steel and wheels and gears are a fun and great mix with softer edged furniture. Creating that juxtaposition of soft with hard edges can be a great look.” These trendy looks won’t be going away any time soon. Retailers including Restoration Hardware, Gray Living and Wisteria offer classic furniture in a bleached driftwood finish and natural fabrics side by side with industrial tables, stools and lamps. “It’s a strong reminder of the past when things were made with care and meant to last,” states Norman, a reminder of a simpler life.
“There is a huge awareness of being mindful of our planet,” states Norman. “You’ll see more of that natural element – turning nature into sculpture.” Classic furniture frames are upholstered in burlap, cotton, linen or organic wool in natural colors of stone, driftwood, sage and charcoal. Textural fabrics show the clean lines of wood furniture without distracting from the silhouette. “We’re seeing a real, simple, neutral look,” comments Norman. “It shows the sculptural element
Nancy Baldwin is a freelance writer and home décor industry veteran.
boomers...living life to the fullest
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AT HOME COLOR YOUR LIFE
Are You In The Mood
R
emember mood rings? The popular 70s-inspired jewelry statement fascinated our generation for years, because of what the colors represented. It was exciting to test our moods and the colors thus reflected in the crystals of the ring. Our thoughts and emotions are stimulated by colors because the brain is stimulated by and reacts to them. We have favorite colors because they make us feel a certain way. The chartreuse color of my first prom dress or “that” Mach I that I learned to drive stick shift in with a special boy, a snowy winter day that kept us out of school can each evoke unbelievable feelings-positive or negative. But negativity undermines happiness. Changing our thoughts to positive ones and uplifting our sense of being increases our happiness factor. Adding color to our homes, colors our lives. But you should take stock of the color schemes in your house before you peruse the color wheel and head to the store. Is it primed for happiness? Becoming familiar with colors and how they relate to each other is integral to understanding how color evokes moods. Color is ubiquitous. Yet what does it all mean for you? With color, you have a magic wand that you can use in hundreds of ways every day to create more joyful moments. While certain colors elevate your personal, vital energy, others darken your spirit. You have to think of color as that mystical mood ring force that can enhance and enliven you. By surrounding yourself with color you can lift your mood, change your outlook, invigorate or calm yourself. Paint a wall, a room or the boomers...living life to the fullest
whole house and feel the difference. There’s a reason cheerful, inspiring people live with fresh colors! The color wheel is divided into warm (red to yellowgreen) and cool colors (green-blue to violet). Warm are known to excite; cool to soothe. Primary colors (red, blue, yellow) are pure, meaning that no mixing is needed to achieve them. Secondary colors (green, orange, purple) are created by mixing equal parts of two primary colors. For example, if you mix equal portions of red and blue, you get purple. Tertiary colors (intermediate ones) are made by mixing a secondary and a primary color. It is usually in the tertiary colors where you find the right balance. While your home’s neutral palette may go with everything, all that beige may really be getting you down. Or maybe the color on the walls isn’t eliciting the right mood. It’s a living space, so let it live with vibrant splashes of colorhues that can brighten your attitude, stimulate lively conversation, even lift the fatigue of a busy day at work. Get out the brushes and paint some positive happiness onto your walls with bold soulful colors you love. It will be as exhilarating as the mood ring was! The beauty of a space stems from architectural flow combined with a careful eye for color. You have to wrap your heart, mind and soul around pure, dynamic tones, and trust your intuition when selecting your personal palette. Don’t be swayed by trends or guided by what’s displayed in stores. Think passion which heightens
d To Color Your Life?
AT HOME COLOR YOUR LIFE
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by DeeDee Lowder
awareness, stimulates and arouses you-red. Think water that calms, relaxes and transfixes you-blue. Or think sun to recharge, revitalize and energize you-yellow. Gradations of these feelings, attributed to the primary colors of the color wheel, come through selection of secondary colors: Green (blue and yellow) adds balance and stability, while orange (red and green) creates order and a cheerful sense of well-being. Purple (red with blue) protects and comforts you. Now that you know more about which colors evoke which moods, it should be easier to begin selecting colors that not only fit your design palette, but your emotional palette as well.
Warm colors, such as apple green or coral, impart coziness and can add ambience to a room with limited natural light. They work well in areas where you wish to stimulate conversation and promote interaction, especially important for families. Yellow is cheerful and lifts spirits. It is ideal for a kitchen, breakfast room, or laundry. Think red when you want to invigorate your environment or make a bold statement, perhaps in a living room or office. And you might try terra cotta orange in the den or family room where you congregate and share activities. Greens and blues balance a room with lots of sunlight. They are colors from nature that are refreshing, calming and offer coolness. These hues are excellent in a bedroom, bathroom or study where you relax, as they are peaceful and tranquil.
Neutrals, like taupe, beige or pale gray impart a restful influence and can de-stress. Use them in a family room, media room or library. Primary colors are wonderful in children’s rooms and playrooms since they set a playful, happy mood, but they also make excellent accent wall colors for family rooms. Dark rich colors such as burgundy, chocolate or slate add a formal sophistication and sense of drama to dining and living rooms. Purple is the color of royalty and connotes luxury and wealth. It is also feminine and romantic. However, because it is rare in nature, purple can appear artificial, so be careful in selecting where to use it and consider softer variations like lavender or plum. White can be stark and sterile. If you want to use it, add a touch of rose or gray which make it more appealing and comforting. The human eye can distinguish approximately ten million colors and each has its own personality, whether it is happy or sad, old or young. Find the emotions you found in the mood ring by varying the tone and intensity of the hue. Encourage introspection, stimulate interaction or create tranquility with a touch of color. Your home is a blank palette and, it can be as fun and exciting as the predictions of the mood ring, to color outside the lines! boomers...living life to the fullest
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THE EPICUREAN FLAVORFUL FUN
Most people who buy tea usually just reach for the regular bags on the supermarket shelves. If they are real connoisseurs, they may occasionally try other varieties from a specialty shop but it is definitely black tea that makes up most of the 165 million cups drunk in the UK every day. However, even tea lovers can get bored of drinking just one type of cuppa all the time; and this why flavored tea is becoming more and more popular. You can buy tea that has been flavored in many large supermarkets these days, whereas in the past flavored tea was only ever found in specialty stores. Make sure you check what you are really getting when you buy one that has been flavored, though, as some of these varieties of so-called flavored tea have never been near a tea plant in their life. These are called tisanes and are prepared by using the leaves of plants such as peppermint, cammomile and nettle. Real flavored tea is simply that; normal leaves that have had flavor from various sources added before heading to the shops so you can buy tea with a little something extra. There are dozens of common varieties of flavored tea already available and new ones are being developed and introduced to the market all the time. Some of the most common varieties that those who buy tea often can try, instead of their regular selection, include; jasmine, which is often used to flavor green tea; mint, which can be added to tea leaves as well as making an infusion itself; fruits such as raspberry and blackcurrant and various herbs and spices such as cinnamon, fennel and vanilla. These teas are all prepared the same way as regular tea, whether you use it in bags or leaf form. Previously, you could only buy tea that was flavored with some of boomers...living life to the fullest
the more exotic ingredients as leaves, but as the market for flavored tea has grown and demand has increased for even unusual varieties, you can now get tea bags of flavored tea in many stores making it as easy to prepare as your regular morning cuppa. Some flavored tea even has extra health benefits on top of the antioxidants found in many of the more common varieties. Buy one infused with mint if you suffer from stomach problems such as indigestion; fennel tea can help ease the symptoms of colds and flu; ginger tea has been known to relieve morning sickness while diabetics should buy tea flavored with cinnamon as it is naturally sweet and also ideal for those trying to cut down on their sugar intake. Most tea drinkers will continue to buy tea from the supermarket shelves, but if you ever fancy a change, or are struggling with a cold and think some fennel flavored tea might help you out, it is good to know that there is such a huge variety of unusual and exotic products available for those who want to buy tea that is a little bit different and a little bit special. Emily Harvey is freelance writer interested in health and well-being related subjects.
THE EPICUREAN ARTICLE
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hen we set out to buy ingredients for our family’s meals many of us these days tend to be significantly more conscious of the things which are good for us, than those which are not. Cutting out certain ingredients and replacing them with others is obviously a great way forward, and it is often the ingredients which we buy which have a huge effect on our family’s health. However, if you do buy ingredients and not just ready meals, then the chances are that you’re already off to a great start. But one of the ‘facts’ which you may well have kept in mind when buying your ingredients may well be wrong. When you choose meals and ingredients for recipes you will often look out for ‘saturated fat’, and avoid it. After all, medical evidence has clearly proved the fact that saturated fat is closely linked to heart disease. So cutting out your saturated fats will lead to a healthier heart, which has to be good news, right? The problem though is the French. Let me explain. The French are well known for having a diet rich in saturated fats, including a significant amount of butter (they seem to cook everything in it!), massively more cheese (well, we all knew that!) as well as other dairy products. Yet at the same time the number of incidents of coronary disease in France is much lower than most other countries, including both the US and the UK. So what’s going on?
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The fact is that nobody is entirely sure, as there doesn’t seem to be any one factor which could account for the paradox. But there are several smaller factors which are almost certainly contributing significantly towards this healthier diet. So here are a couple of ideas you can bear in mind when you’re planning to buy ingredients for your brood. First of all, red wine seems a good idea. Only in moderation of course, and certainly not for the children, but it is believed that a component of red wine called resveratrol could contribute towards longevity, cancer prevention and even reducing the effects of aging. Secondly, buy fresh fish. Having fish three times a week has such a positive effect that it virtually counters those puddings! Thirdly, forget avoiding the full fat and no fat products. Most of these have a massively higher concentration of sugar. Full fat products usually have little or no added sugar, and are therefore likely to be healthier. Finally, think about your portion sizes. This is a really important point, because the French tend to have more courses, but smaller portions, and this seems to be a very important factor in explaining why the French are significantly healthier as a nation, despite their penchant for cheese and wine! Justin Arnold is a full-time writer with an honours degree from Leeds University.
boomers...living life to the fullest
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STYLE WATCH LOOKING NATURAL
There’s no Magic to it. I Promise! Looking Naturally Beautiful After 40 By Joy Freda
Hold your head high and show your age proudly. We are living in a modern world, and an advertising era, where beauty tips make being naturally gorgeous at any age as easy as drinking water, getting that full eight hours of sleep, and keeping your skin moisturized and glowing. It’s not quite that simple but with a few strategic steps you can achieve soft, glowing, supple skin after 40. You may worry about the right makeup, but what really counts when it comes to great skin is the right moisturizer. It’s critical. Always start your morning or night regimen with a clean face. There are lots of wonderful cleansers out there and you only need find the right one for your skin type. And by the time you reach “boomer” age you should know your skin well. But as a refresher - skin types are generally divided into three groups — dry, oily, and combination — and each type has different needs. Determining yours is the first step in skin care. Drugstore beauty products, especially cleansers, can be great. You do not need to shop at expensive department stores or online where you are entranced with those come hither ads that say: "Just pay shipping! Use the product, then pay the full price later". But what if the product isn’t right for you? And then what is the full price? Once a month that product shows up, so you can stay looking lovely, but how about also staying broke, and having a really difficult time cancelling that commitment, when you find that the product really does not erase those deep boomers...living life to the fullest
wrinkles called marionette lines. What is that?! Have we been reduced to being likened to a puppet made of wood?! Don’t fall for the hype; hold your beautiful face up high with pride, and let us get you started on your path to natural beauty! There are three magical words when it comes to moisturizers. I will not pull a rabbit out of a hat but RETINOLS, ANTIOXIDANTS AND PEPTIDES will perform magic on your face by attacking those dry fine lines that you keep checking in the mirror every day as if they will miraculously disappear. Find a moisturizer for your skin that has these important words listed on the label, then put away that mirror or keep it with a promise to yourself to no longer obsess about those lines! Retinol is an active form of vitamin A. Derivatives of it in topical form are used to treat acne and also to improve other forms of skin damage from aging and UV damage from the sun. An antioxidant is a substance, such as vitamin E, vitamin C, or beta carotene, thought to protect body cells from the damaging effects of oxidation; in the case of skin against the harsh winter or summer climate and air. It is important to find an antioxidant cleanser that works well with the antioxidants to help manage the oil, but if you have dry skin choose a gentle one that doesn’t strip your skin of the oils it needs. What is a Peptide used for in skin care? They direct and communicate with the skin cells to behave in a certain way, such as producing more collagen or thicken
STYLE WATCH LOOKING NATURAL the skin and delivering copper to the deeper layers promoting regeneration of skin cells. Both help your skin look fresher and younger. As we grow up, and please note I did not say as we grow older, our skin may require a little more help. Hydration is necessary in the morning and the evening. This is the second step to lovely youthful skin. When you keep your face hydrated, those fine lines look better, your skin tone more even and smoother. Plus, those deeper wrinkles love moisture! Moisturizers are now made with many different products and deciding which one to purchase can be confusing. For the evening you will want a nighttime serum cream and moisturizer because while you sleep your face actually absorbs all the outstanding attributes of your beauty products. If your face becomes greasy, or you break out, stop that product and find one better suited to your skin type. You may be thinking, oh sure, now I will be paying lot of money for a bunch of different products, till I find the perfect one. Keep in mind, research. Ask your friends, check with the beauty experts in your local drugstore or beauty supply shop. Believe me, they are there, and very helpful. And read the labels – many say for normal, dry or oily skin. Then, there are those cute little ladies who sell products by coming to your house, no longer wearing little pillbox hats, but carrying a bag of unbelievably great products that can be a wonderful for achieving the desired results. And these companies have advanced in the beauty business without breaking the bank. And when you see a friend or another lady who has glowing beautiful skin, do not hesitate to compliment her and then discreetly ask what products she’s using. She will become your next BFF. Don’t we all just love compliments! For daytime, and under your makeup, use a day cream, eye cream and a silicone rich primer so your makeup will apply more smoothly and evenly. Again with cream be sure to match it to your skin type. Eye creams should also be selected with your specific needs in mind. Most wrinkle creams may reduce wrinkles on your face but are not designed for sensitive skin around the eyes. But don’t worry! There are eye creams that are strong enough to get rid of wrinkles around your eyes, eliminate dark circles and even reduce puffiness. And the best makeup primer is a multi-tasking one. It should
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smooth the skin, fill the fine lines, absorb oil and allow your foundation to last all day long. With these few steps you will be amazed at the compliments you will receive on your sparkling radiance. Take it from someone who has tried it all, these few products will make a huge difference in your skin’s texture, tone and appearance. I promise!
To counter aspects of the signs of aging, bella di luce skin care products renew the skin to restorative health by increasing and accelerating the natural process of exfoliation and cell regeneration. Their products contain combinations of active ingredients of the highest quality, concentrated in the purest form to revitalize and rejuvenate your skin.
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boomers...living life to the fullest
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STYLE WATCH TRUTH OR MYTH
Truth or Myth: You Should Not Wear Long Hair When You Get Older. By Ron Maddox
Myth! So frequently, I have a client in my chair telling me they want to grow their hair long one more time before they turn 40...or for some it’s 50. This is totally a bill of goods we’ve been sold in past years and is completely untrue. In this professional’s opinion, your age has absolutely nothing to do with how long you wear your hair. I know women in their late teens and early twenties that do not look good with long hair. I also know women in their fifties and sixties that don’t look good with short hair. And then there are those that can wear any length and look great...God bless them! Having said that, I do think style appropriateness applies. Whether a style is appropriate for you has everything to do with who you are as an individual and nothing to do with your age. Sometimes, longer hair can have the effect of pulling your face down in an unflattering manner and creating a tired look. In that case, longer hair may have the ability to make you look older. When I consult with a new client, I take many variables into consideration. I ask questions about their profession and their lifestyle. I assess the shape of their head, the bone structure in their face and the texture of their hair. I look at the way they dress and how they carry themselves. But, most important, is their personality. A good hairstyle looks good on the client. A GREAT hairstyle not only looks good, but it captures the essence of their personality. This can be tricky because some clients don’t want what would suit their personality most ideally. Another big key that needs to be taken into consideration is the manageability of your new style. If it looks great when you leave the salon, but you can’t make it look good the next morning in your boomers...living life to the fullest
bathroom, the stylist hasn’t done their job properly. Now, there are some clients that can’t style their own hair no matter what you do. They believe they have no talent for it and because that’s what they believe, it usually is true. If you want to learn to manage your own hair, anyone can learn to do that with the right tools, right products and a little professional instruction. If just takes a bit of commitment and some practice. Finding a Great Match in a Hair Professional When you seek a hair professional, it’s important to find one that will do an in depth consultation with you where they ask many questions that will give them a feel of how to best serve your needs. This also allows both parties to gain rapport. I usually set aside double the normal amount of time for a haircut when seeing a new client for the first time. It’s important that you feel a sense of trust when a professional is about to alter your appearance. If the service provider has not taken sufficient time to gain your trust, you may want to rethink whether you are in the right place. The relationship you have with your hair professional will likely be one of the most intimate relationships in your life. Think about it...you should be IN LOVE with this person. I have many clients that have been with me for the entire 21 years I have lived in Dallas. I love these clients and cherish my relationships with them. I hope you are blessed and fortunate to have the same. If not, feel free to give me a call. I choose not to work with clients that I don’t enjoy. Likewise, you shouldn’t see a service provider that you don’t enjoy. Life is just too short for that. We get to choose our relationships in life...why not choose wisely?
STYLE WATCH BREAKING THE RULES
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For Women…
The big rule for 2012 is to break rules and be liberated in your fashion choices. Who really follows fashion trends anyway? It is more fun to be a trendsetter than a wannabe. And the greatest accessory for the year 2012 is a smile. And believe it or not, models for YSL smiled for the first time ever on the runways. The colours for the year are golds, oranges, pinks, salmon and neutrals. The sea is the big inspiration this year for patterns, prints and embellishments which represent peace, tranquility and meditative calm. Prints leaning towards baroque design, abstract art motifs reminiscent of Mondrian, deep sea designs with starfish and shells, digital prints, bird prints will be seen predominantly. Silhouettes are soft and flowing, flirty with feminine details and whimsical carefree drapes are big. The 1920s drop waist is big and it’s back and the waist is at the hip.
For Men…
Checks will rule — in structured and unstructured garments. Colours like fuchsia, lavender, purple, yellow, mint green, lime green etc, will be the hot tones for this summer. The silhouette will become slightly more relaxed, but the slimmer look will prevail. There will be more regional influences in dressing. Ornate would come in with more force and the festive season will see more bling. The Brogue Boots – For footwear, Brogue boots will be making waves—and why not? It’s simple yet stylish design oozes masculinity. Artyz and British footwearmakers Alfred Sargent come together on this unorthodox country wingtip brogue boot. A mis-match of colors, three different usages of leather make up the upper including black, light brown and dark brown. Fashion Dos and Don’ts for the Season Wearing loose clothes instead of clothes that fit properly and close to the body without being too snug is one of the bad trends people follow. Party dresses worn all black can be replaced with feminine and a stylish floaty. A-line dresses always work and the trick lies in the fact that a floaty dress will enhance the blending of the upper and lower part of the legs, creating a uniform and polished look. ‘Jeggings’ for men did not make the cut and therefore did not last too long this 2011. The boyfriend jeans played their role this year but are now being overshadowed by leggings and 70’s style well-fitted denims.
PHOTO Eugene Kan
boomers...living life to the fullest
Swing into Spring with East meets West styles from
Silk Threads!
Dallas Bodacious Boutique Canal Clothing Sharon Young Boutique
Fort Worth Hip, Chic Boutique MPulsive
972.432.9599 www.SilkThreads.com
STYLE WATCH HAUTE COUTURE
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Haute Jewelry for Spring
Bold, Feminine & Futuristic.
boomers...living life to the fullest
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BOOM VOYAGE OLD WORLD CHARM
A
fter the dreary grey of winter, the first signs of spring start popping up and a relaxing vacation sounds like just what the doctor ordered. But where should you go - a cruise, multi-city road trip or an idyllic location? There are so many exciting, inviting choices! Perhaps you have been on an ocean cruise ship and enjoyed it, but are ready for something different. Maybe you have never been on a cruise because you have visited many of the destinations where they typically dock or you fear sea sickness. The thought of driving from place to place is not very appealing and all you really want is to relax and take in the sights and sounds of anywhere but home. What you want and need is a vacation odyssey. Imagine the picturesque windmills and bright tulips of Holland, the gothic castles in Germany and the lush vineyards of France. Envision immersing yourself in new cultures in some of the most fascinating cities in the world, meeting new friends and enjoying continental cuisine as you gently glide through a plethora of colorful scenic landscapes bursting with folklore and tradition. Discover European River Cruising! Spectacular views are abundant from all over the ship and river cruises allow you to enjoy the turns and twists along the river; the hidden villages and towns along the way. The flat bottom of river ships assures smooth boomers...living life to the fullest
sailing and they dock directly in the heart of every destination, thus you can enjoy more time exploring. Your hotel room will be with you as you experience spectacular scenery, UNESCO World heritage sites, world-renowned art in famous museums, architectural gems, vineyards, and fairy tale cities. River vessels offer elegant interiors, spacious accommodations, gourmet dining and exceptional service. Couple that with panoramic views and you have a vacation made for the gods. The Danube River is one of the most popular cruise vacations. You will view charming century old towns nestled along the fertile banks of the Danube while you gracefully travel in elegance and comfort, visiting some of Europe’s most important cultural centers. With 2,200 miles of river running from the Black Forest in Germany to the North Sea, the selection of different cruise options along this beautiful river are plentiful. The Danube is one of the most vital waterways in central and eastern Europe, traversing ten countries housing four capital cities and is the only river to run east-west. You’ll treasure every moment of these cruises - the art, music and culture assure it is memorable. Other river cruises include the world’s most romantic river, the Rhine, and its tributaries the Mosel, Main and Neckar. European history comes alive with castles and towering walls, wineries and grand snow-capped peaks. Uncover the splendor of the Normandy region of France, the birthplace of impressionism. Its history, beauty and
BOOM VOYAGE OLD WORLD CHARM
Medical Travel Tips
by Jacki Muehlenbein culture are unsurpassed; you can visit the gardens that inspired Claude Monet or walk through Richard the Lionheart’s Chateau Gaillard, explore Paris, the City of Lights with its magnificent architecture and museums or spend a day on the beach at Le Havre. The Rhone and Saone cruises give you a glimpse of southern France and outstanding ports like Avignon and Lyon. Or you could immerse yourself in the history of London, Oxford and Westminster as you cruise by the rolling hills, dense forests and country lanesof southern England on the river Thames or discover Portugal and Spain on a cruise along the Douro River Valley famous for its steep terraced vineyards of Port wine grapes.
PLAN AHEAD
The shore excursions last from a half a day to a full day. Depending on the cruise you select, you can visit Regensburg with the oldest surviving stone bridge in Germany, Passau, the vehicle-free city of Bratislava, Amsterdam, Nurnberg, Budapest, Vienna, or Bonn, the birthplace of Ludwig von Beethoven, Antwerp, Viviers and so many more wonderful places.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
The length of a river cruise varies from 6 days to over 30 days depending on the number of countries and sites you would like to explore. Most cruising is in the spring, summer and fall but you can celebrate the holidays on cruises to visit the Christmas markets in Germany, Hungry, Slovakia, and/or Austria. There are also theme cruises such as World War II, multi-generational familyoriented, or music focused.
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• Know about medical facilities in the destination(s) you’re going to visit. • Plan for the climate, language and the culture of your chosen destination. • Be sure to make arrangements for wheelchair or guide dog accommodations, as well as airplane seating well in advance. • Purchase travel insurance and make sure that it covers pre-existing illness if needed.
• Your doctor’s number. • Your travel agent’s numbers if you booked through one. • Contact Number of the airlines you’re flying with. • Number for the U.S. embassy for each destination. • Emergency contact numbers. •
Make sure that you follow the news (TV, newspapers, and radios) for any changes in weather, flight cancelations or rescheduled flights. Knowing problems ahead will enable you to act appropriately and be prepared with solutions. boomers...living life to the fullest
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BOOM VOYAGE OLD WORLD CHARM
You will choose between two types of river cruising: barge and river cruises. Typically, the river cruise ships carry between 100 and 200 passengers while the barges are smaller and carry from only a couple guests to no more than 50. The barges havefewer amenities, less decks, and cover less territory than river cruise ships. Some companies allow you to charter the whole barge and others offer self- drive cruising. Barges are typically all-inclusive pricing and travel within one country or region in a country and are more expensive than river ship cruising. River cruise ships travel within the same country or to multiple countries. The ships have several decks and are long and narrow due to the size of the canal locks and bridges on the waterways. Most offer a restaurant, bar, fitness center, spa, and a few have a swimming pool, and library. Some offer lectures about the areas being traveled and provide guides who speak the native languages. As you cruise down the rivers, you can view the scenery from your cabin since most have floor to ceiling windows and even a few have balconies or enjoy the panoramic views from the ship’s upper deck. Although there are over one hundred cruises allowing you to explore the European waterways, the ships and barges are smaller than ocean liners, so you will want to book your excursion early. Travel the heart of Europe in grace and style while experiencing an awe-inspiring adventure, a change from the pace of everyday life and mundane vacations spots, with an ultimate European river cruise. I promise you will not even remember the chill of those winter mornings you left behind! Jacki is a freelance travel writer and Certified Vacation Benefit Specialist in Dallas, Texas. boomers...living life to the fullest
TRAVELING WITH A DISABILITY •
If traveling with a disability, call airports and airlines well ahead of to learn about services, including seating s and shuttle services. Notify them of your requirements.
•
Booking direct flights when possible, as they are easier for those with disabilities. Allow extra time for any plane transfers or other transportation, as well as rest room breaks.
• Know about the destination’s public transportation system and how it accommodates disabilities. •
If you’re traveling abroad, be sure to check the rules and regulations about your aids, whether it’s about the availability of a wheelchair, guide dog or medication.
Travelling with Medication: • Make sure that your medications are legal in the country you are visiting. You can do this by simply contacting the country’s embassy, high commission or consulate. •
Have a letter from your doctor that describes your medication, how much you will be taking, and, that it is for your own personal use. Leave all medicine in its original packaging, so that you know the dosage instructions. If using a pill box, bring the bottle/directions with you. Labeled bottles may lessen delays with Customs.
• Carry your own needles and syringes if you inject your medicine. When buying needles and syringes overseas ensure you buy packs that are sealed and sterile.
REDEFINING LEAVING THE NEST
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T
he baby chick will be flying the coop and you aren’t sure what to expect. Your best friends cried for weeks after their child left home but a co-worker rejoiced in the freedom of the empty nest. Despite popular belief, empty nesting – the name given to the feelings many parents have when their last child moves away from the home – does not always mean distress, loneliness or abandonment. Granted, the change can be difficult at first; After all you have spent twenty years as a parent. You may feel sadness, concern for the child without you there to guide them, adjustments in your daily life now that you have more time, fear about what your role is and what it all means for your marriage. All of these are normal considerations but you can find your way and empty nesting can be a positive experience. Some parents feel a sense of independence. They look toward empty nesting as time to be more relaxed; after all they have prepared their young to go into the world and their job is somewhat over and they now have breathing room. And many have desires they can now fulfill, like traveling, going back to school or just taking a class of interest, impromptu (and long overdue) romance or turning a now mostly unused bedroom into a den or hobby room, maybe an office. But with a pullout sleeper couch! You need to face this as a time of flight. Embrace the exhilaration as your child soars from your nest and explores the world beyond their former borders. Watch them land solidly on their feet, finding their way as you taught them. There can, and most likely will be bumps along the way, and that’s to be expected, but you can take heart in their journey knowing if they follow the roadmap you provided they will have a smooth flight, eventually building their nest. Nesters who have traversed the journey before you offer up the following tips to adjusting to the “empty nest” syndrome: • Think of this phase of your life, and that of your child’s, as a beginning and not an end. • You armed your child, so now give them space to adjust to their new surroundings. Do NOT hover! • Plan special time to reconnect with family and friends rekindling relationships you enjoy. Make an effort to forge a new friendship with an acquaintance you have fun around, but haven’t had time to truly get to know.
• Use this time to reclaim a hobby, activity or creative endeavor you stopped when you had children or start one you’ve always wanted to try. • Pamper yourself. You deserve it! • Renew your marriage and romance with your spouse. Or enjoy a new relationship with the opposite sex. • Travel, but not necessarily to your child’s new digs. Most empty nester seem to have one common word of advice: share your feelings. Talk about your misgivings about the role that is changing your life; the good, the bad, the ugly. Cry and laugh because it will release the tension and renew your spirit. But be sure to do this with other empty nesters, as those who have not experienced this rite of passage will not understand what you are going through. And final words of wisdom from those who have gone before are to not make big moves. Give yourself time to adjust before making major changes which might not be the ones you really want or need. When your “chicky” comes home for the first time recognize that he or she is now a young adult and both of you have to respect the other for who you are now in your new roles. They’ll see you as a person, not just a parent, who has become a contented empty nester and you will view them as a strong nestling making their way in the world. And before you know it both of your worlds will be right again! To learn more or if you want more information, the following resources may be of help: ‘Empty Nesting: Reinventing Your Marriage When the Kids Leave Home’ by David H. and Claudia S. Arp, Scott M. Stanley, and Howard J. Markman. ‘The Empty Nest: 31 Parents Tell the Truth about Relationships, Love and Freedom After The Kids Fly the Coop’ by Karen Stabiner. ‘Barbara & Susan’s Guide to the Empty Nest: Discovering New Purpose, Passion & Your Next Great Adventure’ by Barbara Rainey and Susan Yates ‘When Your Kids Goes to College: A Parents’ Survival Guide’ by Carol Barkin.
boomers...living life to the fullest
N at h a n S cot t Nathan Scott, a financial advisor for Morgan Keegan & Co., provides investment advice and planning for small corporations and high net worth individuals. He attended University of North Texas from 1992 to 1994. Building on a 15-year career in consultation sales, including mortgage banking experience, Nathan joined Morgan Keegan in 2010 and continues his focus on providing service to his clientele. He works in partnership with his clients’ other advisors (legal, tax, accounting, etc.) to provide comprehensive solutions to simplify their lives. Nathan is currently involved in various Chamber and charitable organizations in the DFW area with a passion for giving back to his community. Nathan and his wife Elizabeth have been married for seven years and have two sons. ABOUT MORGAN KEEGAN Founded in 1969 in Memphis, Tennessee, Morgan Keegan & Company is today one of the largest regional investment firms in the nation, offering full-service investment banking, securities brokerage,and wealth and asset management. Morgan Keegan serves the diverse financial needs of individual,corporate and institutional clients throughout the U.S. and abroad. Morgan Keegan has over 300 offices in 20 states, more than 4,100 employees and over $900 million in equity capital. As the securities and investment management subsidiary of Regions Financial Corporation, Morgan Keegan is partenered with one of the nation’s largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, trust and mortgage services with $132 billion in assets.
Morgan Keegan
A Regions Company Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc. | Members FINRA, SIPC Not FDIC Insured | May Lose Value | No Bank Guarantee Not a Deposit | Not Insured by Any Government Agency
NATHAN SCOTT 5956 Sherry Lane | Suite 1900 Dallas | Texas | 75225 214-435-1332 | FAX: 214-691-5588 nathan.scott@morgankeegan.com
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WEALTHY & WISE MEDICARE PRECIPICE
Understanding The Medicare Precipice by Nick Trout
F
or years you have paid into Medicare and now as you retire assume you deserve full benefits. They owe you your fair share! And likely, you’d vote for benefits not to be cut so you get your money’s worth. Unfortunately these assumptions may not happen. Financial analysts estimate that what has been paid into the Medicare system cannot begin to cover the complete value of care you can expect to receive after you retire. A couple retiring in 2011, who have together earned about $90,000 per year, have paid approximately $115,000 in Medicare taxes over their working lives. But it is probable that they will receive over $350,000 in medical services, including hospital stays, physician care and prescriptions. This is three times what they paid in. Three times! Now multiply that by the number of baby boomers retiring over the next twenty years and you’ll have a clear picture of what we are facing with the Medicare system.
In actuality, the money paid on Medicare taxes is used to pay the bills incurred by those currently enrolled in the programs; it is not being saved for you to draw from when you retire, which is a common misconception about how Medicare operates. And, herein lies the dilemma of those in Washington who are dealing with the deficits that could continue to have a major impact on the economy. With a generation of baby boomers reaching retirement in droves now, health care costs are a considerable and unpredictable portion of the government’s budgetary problems and Medicare is smack in the middle. Consumers are calling for major changes, politicians are arguing about how best to make the required adjustments and there’s even talk about phasing out Medicare, replacing it with fixed payment private option plans. And then add President Obama’s health care law to the picture and it’s colossal.
Although most Americans are concerned about the state of Medicare’s long term financial competence, there is a large divide between perceptions and the truth in the numbers. Wake up and smell the roses! We must realize the size of this gap. Just because you have paid in, does not mean your money is there waiting for you to take it out.
One must understand the reasons for the benefits and taxes being so out of line. First, health care costs have increased rapidly. Thirty years ago a person would expect to receive around $75,000 of medical care after retiring. Today equivalent care would be worth about $180.000.
Now take Social Security. The taxes and associated benefits of it come closer to matching than they do with Medicare. The same retiring couple will have only paid about 10 percent more into the system than they will receive (paying over $600,000 in with expected benefits of $550,000).
Another reason is that Medicare costs are not totally covered by payroll taxes paid in. Some of these funds are earmarked for inpatient care which is paid from a huge trust fund. Again, with the boomer market reaching retirement age, health care costs and inpatient care costs are estimated to substantially escalate.
boomers...living life to the fullest
WEALTHY & WISE STRATEGIES & ADVICE
Retirement Strategies & Retirement Advice As we boomers get closer to retirement we begin to think about our retirement strategies and the retirement advice we have been given. How has it worked out for us and what possible improvements or changes should we make as this late stage of the game. An amazing 24 percent of boomers admit that they have no retirement plan whatsoever and 53 percent of boomers have no confidence in their retirement savings and plans. So what does all that add up to? First many of us are planning on working for a longer period of time. This only makes sense as the lifespan of a US citizen has increased over the past twenty years, and the age for eligibility for social security has increased. In the past people looked to get out of the rat race as soon as possible, and I know that my father retired at 62 and started collected his social security checks. For him it was a wise choice because he died at 67. Imagine working a lifetime and retiring at 65 and then only getting two years retirement. This leads to the question we cannot answer. How long do any of us really have? Because of that question perhaps we should be looking at how we can both relax and enjoy our retirement and still work and/or have a steady income. This is the retirement strategy we would all like to take. So how can you make that happen? It has to be a two-fold retirement strategy. First to reduce our debt and the level of our subsistence cost, and second to get income from some work that we enjoy doing. Reducing debt is something everyone, at every age, should be thinking about. The average American is carrying between 10 and 20,000 dollars worth of credit card debt. (Different sources calculate that differently, so we’ll work with that range.) This means that even conservatively speaking we are paying a thousand dollars a year in interest alone! Over a lifetime if you would invest a thousand dollars a year and get a 5% return you wouldn’t be concerned about the cost of retirement.
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by Robert Britt
But for some reason Americans choose to pay the interest and later pay the cost. So get rid of that debt. Choose to life more simply and apply the cost differences to your cards to get rid of them. Don’t think of them as credit cards; think of them as debt cards. It’s more accurate that way. Get out of that hole. The second part of reducing costs is to think about your home and the cost of living in your area. Do you need 2,000 square feet, or could you manage on 1500? The slight reduction in house size also impacts all your associated costs such as utilities. Maybe you can relocate to a smaller home closer to where you want to retire or to an area that has a lower cost of living. Now, on to income and retirement. Work is work because most people aren’t doing something they enjoy. For a late life shift think about working at something that engages your passion. Once you’ve reduced your cost of living and dropped your debt you don’t have to worry so much about the salary level or the hourly rate. Reaching retirement should mean not worrying about stuff and just enjoying life. Do you enjoy golf? Maybe working part time as a greens keeper at the course will bring you pleasure. Do you love children? Maybe becoming a surrogate grandparent at a day care center might be just the ticket for you. This isn’t the sort of retirement advice you are probably used to hearing, but it might be the right retirement strategy for you. Life is about discovering and exploring your passions. Retirement doesn’t mean what it used to. Boomers aren’t buying up rocking chairs they are buying rocking guitars. Life doesn’t have to slowly grind to a halt. With the right outlook your golden years can truly be the best time of your life. All it takes is a retirement strategy and following the right retirement advice. Rob Britt is a published author and successful ghost writer, staying up to date on the latest trends in health, fitness and wealth creation.
boomers...living life to the fullest
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BOOMER BUZZ ARTICLE
Relationship Buzz with Beverly By Beverly Jones
“You waited until I was 55 damn years old to divorce me. “These were the words my ex-husband said when he was served with the divorce papers. Being over 50 and divorced or widowed can be a traumatic time for anyone who has spent many years with a mate. It can be especially scary when you have to make major decisions about your future. Contrary to my ex-husbands statement, I was looking forward to the freedom and I was not scared to be alone. Many of you may have been on the other side of the divorce. You didn’t want it. You were surprised by it. You are still in pain from it. If that is the case you are not ready for this column. Nor are you ready if you recently lost your mate. However, if you are looking to find ways to get back into the dating scene; wanting somewhere to get answers to your questions about what it is like since you have been out of the mix for many years; and looking for things to do as a single around town, you are in the right place. Each month we will answer 1 or 2 questions in this column. We will also talk about the places available to connect with someone who may become your companion or mate. Nancy from Dallas asks “Should women over 50 try online dating?” Nancy, this is a great question for men and women. Let me answer with another question? Do you remember what it was like before there was an internet? If you didn’t meet your mate in high school, college or work it was a hit or miss proposition. There were dating services way back then. You would pay a large sum of money only to be introduced to someone that you expressly told your interviewer you didn’t want to meet. Yes, this happened to me several times. Dating services can only be as good as the people they attract. The same goes for the internet. At last count I found over 50 dating sites. The one you choose depends on your preferences. Religion, ethnic background and sexual orientation are a few examples of sites with specific cliental? There are free sites and paid sites. Some free sites let you post your profile but will not allow you to contact anyone or read any emails until you pay the monthly fee. There are a few totally free sites. My personal free site favorites are http://plentyoffish.com and http://www.tagged.com. Online dating is becoming more and more popular, especially among older adults. Iowa State University researchers found in a study of 175 newlywed couples that those who met through social networking or online dating sites tended to be older than those who met without the help of the internet. Match.com stated that in the last
boomers...living life to the fullest
year 17% of couples who married met on a dating site. According to eHarmony UK, traffic to dating sites in the U.S. rose over 13 percent in 12 months, ending in July 2010. Internet use only increased by 9%. The numbers may not seem to be very high but this is based on who responded to their surveys. So should a woman or man use the internet to find a match? Your odds of finding someone that you are compatible with increase greatly when you do. Especially, over the age of 50. Jennifer from Frisco asks “How do I know who to look for when I start dating again?” Before you start your search, online or offline, be perfectly clear about what you want. Do you want a companion to go out and have fun with? Do you want to get married? Do you just want to date and see what happens? You will ultimately choose the online dating service based on what you want. Next take inventory of yourself. What do you have to offer to a potential partner? What are your good points and what are your sticky wickets? Are you prepared to answer questions about yourself, your wants and needs? Knowing yourself and who you are and what you stand for will go a long way when you are “interviewing” potential partners. Do you know what your deal breakers are? These are the things you will not tolerate at all. Examples are: Smoking, excessive drinking, height, weight, religion, ethnicity, must love dogs, etc. Are you willing to move to another city or state or country? Are you ready to help raise a child? There are a lot of things to consider when you are in your middle years. Take your time. Ask your best friends how they would describe you to a potential blind date. Note these in your inventory. Jennifer, look for what you ardently desire. Date often and with the idea that the person you meet may not be the one but enjoy the ride. Be brave enough to say I think we are not compatible and move on. “In the next issue let’s talk about knowing how to be safe when dating someone you met on an internet dating site. Jennifer and Nancy will receive a copy of my book “From Prude to Siren, 3 Stages to Fantastic Sex and a Rewarding Relationship” available from Authorhouse.com, Barnes and Noble and Amazon. Send your questions to askbev@ boomerbuzzmagazine.com”. By Beverly Jones Beverly Jones is a freelance writer, author of several books, experienced speaker, trainer and intuitive.
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y personalized license plate reads “60schk.” I believed it made a statement about who I am, until a white-haired man from my gym said “Sixtyish chick, huh?” I was only in my early 50s. When I clarified how to read the plate, he asked me what a “sixties chick” was. This one dressed in a maxi-dress of fabric from India. It still smelled like dye after several washings. The print was brick red and orange in a geometric pattern of diamonds and circles. The style was elasticized beneath the bust line with enough flare to conceal a baggie of pot, weight gain, or an unplanned pregnancy. I’ll get back to that. Strands of beads were accessory musts. And the perfume of the day consisted of natural oils. I loved vanilla scented oil and believed I smelled like a home-made cookie. The oil burned my skin because I was allergic to it, but I wore it anyway. I stopped wearing bras, much to my mother’s horror. Even small busted women bounced when they walked. Mom acted as if I were walking around naked. One picture I treasure from the “sixties chick” era was taken at my first protest. A naïve observer, I used my Kodak Brownie to capture real live radicals: San Francisco, 1968. Regardless of gender, all those in the picture had long hair, parted in the middle, restrained by a bandana or a halo of flowers. They carried signs and threw flowers from a walkway above the street. This group of people was diametrically the opposite of the working elite of my parents’ social group. I identified with them immediately. They inspired me to learn how to tie-dye then made-inthe-USA t-shirts. I bunched fabric in rubber bands and dipped different ends in RIT Dye. The dye came in small cardboard boxes like Jell-o and left my fingers as discolored as Jell-o powder left my tongue. I adopted bell bottoms with embroidered hem tape for daily wear. The external package was nothing compared to the choices offered by the acceptance, no, the encouragement, of “free love” and uncomplicated, irresponsible (I don’t want to imply everyone was irresponsible so what if we say…and sometimes irresponsible sex or just uncomplicated sex) sex. For a woman, there were options never before available for sexual exploration and pleasure without the implied role assignments mandated by previous generations.
by C. Stock But, women were still the mothers, the ones left with the responsibility, and angst over pregnancy remained a silent partner with sexual liberation. OR But women still remained a silent partner of sexual liberation as they would be the mothers, the ones left with the responsibility and angst over unplanned pregnancies. Loss of virginity took on new meaning for the “sixties chick.” It was not just about sex. It was about changing values, perceptions, and asserting differences between who you had once been and who you had become. I became political and shook Bobby Kennedy’s hand the night before his assassination. I felt the loss as much as my parents grieved over the death of JFK and realized no one was untouchable or safe. My best friend and I attended anti-war rallies. There, our values confronted our parents. My friend’s father, a nuclear physicist, shared his own brand of long-distance melt down when he saw a picture of us protesting the use of napalm in Viet Nam. We were proud of that picture and never considered the possibility that it might end up in some government file being accumulated to profile traitors. Loss of virginity took on new meaning for the “sixties chick.” It was not just about sex. It was about changing values, perceptions, and asserting differences between who you had once been and who you had become. Moved this paragraph above as it fit better. Today, I AM that sixtyish chick the man at the gym approached. I turn 60 next week. I have a fading, twenty year old tattoo of a female symbol bisected by a lightning bolt. I still only wear a bra when I go to work. I drive a hybrid. And I read about carbs, and, of course, fiber on food packages. I believe we should bring our troops home. I am trying to start a second career. When my “60schk” plate comes up for renewal, I’ll pay the fee. I am still that girl. Cynthia Stock is a Registered Nurse and freelance writer working on her first book.
boomers...living life to the fullest
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BLOG SPEAK THE BEAT GOES ON
the beat goes on
They had so ch fun; my parents and their friends. I’d give anything to be hanging out with them, the way it was back then. My mom says we measure our lives in decades. To a great extent, I measure my life by their decades. Such vivid details I’ve stored; the earliest and most nostalgically memorable, are of Cooper Drive. There we lived smack in the middle of The American Dream. It was a small house in a new suburb. Hip black and white linoleum tiles were laid out in a dizzying pattern. We had a tiny concrete patio outside the sliding glass door. Occasionally, Big Dan, our distant neighbor’s Basset Hound, would lumber up to our door and my dad would call his owner, who would come and lead the old dog home. The kitchen had a built-in, curved, counter top. I’d sit with my dad on the bar stools while my mom fried oysters for him. He’d eat them in batches while they were hot, passing some to me. I don’t know if I really liked them or if I just really liked sitting there with my dad. That was the decade the music started for me. There was always music. My mom was a jazz singer, my dad, a jazz aficionado and her biggest fan.
boomers...living life to the fullest
BLOG SPEAK THE BEAT GOES ON The stereo cabinet housed a turntable and beneath were two doors which you slid left to right or right to left, depending on which album (stacked alphabetically) you wanted. From that little cabinet came trios, quartets, sextets, big bands, and Sunday operas. My favorite-----Bossa Nova! “Tall and tan and young and lovely….” Getz/Gilberto/Jobim would be playing as my parents dressed to go out for the evening. Mom’s dress always had a zipper up the back. She’d hug me goodbye, leaving the slightest trail of Arpege. There were spontaneous, neighborhood parties too. It was a cocktail world back then; wine was rare. My dad had a tall martini pitcher. Whenever he made a batch, I’d hear the clink-clink, clinkclink of the long, glass stirrer as it hit the sides of the glass pitcher. Then the doorbell would ring and the music would start.
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I believe each day gives us some“ thing; a few minutes of afternoon light casting intricate shadows on a dining room wall, or a delicious Pesto because the basil got kneehigh. Maybe some things broke my heart....... I write about them all. My name is Becca. I live in Dallas but I left my heart in Florence, Italy. I’d like to thank you for reading.
”
I wish I could find that pitcher. I’d give it to my friend Cindy. She had a Friday afternoon martini party long ago. She served the classic drinks in sixties-style martini glasses. You know the ones--just small enough to assure your martini will still be cold when you reach the olives. My parents are in their eighties now and have lost most of their friends. They look at me and see decades they wish they could have back. I look at them and long for decades as rich as theirs.
The music continues. A day doesn’t pass that my dad’s not playing something from his vast collection and Mom and I have been hanging out at local wine bars, listening to live jazz. I’m soaking up all I can from this decade of theirs; one day, one song, and one martini (sangiovese) at a time. Cindy’s Sixties Martini Keep the martini glasses in the freezer. (More than one, just in case.) Keep the gin in the refrigerator. (Boodles highly recommended.) Put one or two drops of extra dry vermouth in the frozen glass. Swirl and pour out any that does not cling to the sides. (If you’ve had a really bad day, skip this step.) Fill the martini glass with Boodles, leaving room enough for two, large green martini olives or a nice sliver of lemon rind.
POSTED BY BECCA I live in Dallas but I left my heart in Florence, Italy. I’d like to thank you for reading. From 3906.blogspot.com
boomers...living life to the fullest
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BLOG SPEAK NO REGRETS
No Regrets. Really? Most of my contemporaries - who can proudly wear the label “boomer” - are welcoming their first or latest grandbaby into the world with coos and glee and cliche’ statements like, “They’re so much fun, and I can send them home at night.” Me, I’m a late bloomer. I had my one and only at 36 and as of June 2, he’s a high school graduate. I’ll wait while you do the math. Anyway, I believe I’m beginning to feel the pangs of empty nest syndrome coming on. But, it’s not the sadness of anticipating an empty house. After all, he’s still snoozing down the hall from me every night. Granted, sometimes his night doesn’t begin until two in the morning but he’s in there and I confess I still check on him from time to time to make sure he’s breathing. I suspect this thing we call empty next syndrome is really a “Geez, I could have done that a whole lot better” syndrome. I just can’t seem to shake the secondguessing that’s going on inside my head. Like, why didn’t I yell at that babysitter for giving him his first haircut instead of meekly walking away, composing a hundred “I should have said’s” in my mind? Why didn’t I buy him the new Nintendo 64 instead of giving him an old beat-up one I found at a garage sale? Why didn’t I listen to him when he told me he knew how to stand on a snowboard instead of contorting his feet into a position Mikhail Baryshnikov couldn’t execute? Why didn’t I take him to Disneyland for the one day we had, instead of a crowded, expensive, over-commercialized Universal Studios? (Granted, he was 17, but everyone deserves a chance to see the “happiest place in the world!”) I could drive myself crazy asking all the why’s in the world but, it won’t do me or him any good.
When they tell you to enjoy your children because they grow up so fast, they don’t tell you why. I always thought is was so you’d be sure to enjoy every minute of their childhood. And, as much as parents try to do that, there comes a time - many a time - when “enjoy” is not the word we would use. Like the temper tantrums we endured public places. Or, the time they decide to parrot the swear word we said earlier in traffic, in front of your boss. Or, the cute sarcastic come-back from the mouth of your darling 15 year old. But, love them we do, through rain or shine. And, the tantrums and the smart-mouths become distant memories. It’s the regrets and the “I should have’s” that burn a Kodak moment in your brain. One of my favorite singers, Phoebe Snow, died this year in April. I have an album (yup, real vinyl) of hers that is so worn from wear you can hardly see the cover photo. I sang every song on that album (perfectly, I believe) through my 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s. My favorite? “No regrets.” It was written for a man she loved - and lost - and the way she sings it makes you believe she really doesn’t have any regrets. What many of people don’t know is, she gave up a promising career to care for her braindamaged child. Oh, she stayed quite busy and kept singing but never reached the stardom she probably could have had. I completely understand. There are no do-overs in child-rearing. You only get one shot to do the right thing or do the “I hope this is the right thing” for each child you have. What they should tell you is “they grow up fast so get ready to cut yourself some slack.” My kid grew up to be one of the finest young men you’ll ever meet, despite my mistakes and second-guessing. No regrets? Yeah, right. That’s just not going to happen. But, I will say this, bring on the grandkids. I’ll even keep them over night. If my kid will let me. Posted by Mary Millholland
boomers...living life to the fullest
BLOG SPEAK PINK PLASTIC SKULL
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That and a Pink Plastic Skull Will Buy Me a Cup of Coffee Back in the days when a dime could buy you a cup of coffee, an old saying was, “that and a dime will buy you a cup of coffee.” And whatever the “that” was, was in fact useless since you still needed the dime for the coffee. Today a dime won’t buy me a cup of coffee, but I have something better; a pink plastic kitchen sink scrub brush. Last year the baby shower invites came hot and heavy in the mail. I played my share of baby shower games, ate the required chicken salads, and watched the unwrapping of baby presents. At one shower I finally won on the Baby Bingo game. So up to the prize table I went. I had been eyeing a bottle of wine sitting on that table early on, but at this late stage of the game it was gone. What was left on the table was an assortment of scented candles. I go out of my way to buy unscented candles since the phony candle aromas make me sick. One time I left a pine-scented candle outside for a week in order to air out the cheap men’s cologne smell it was emitting in the house. That didn’t work and it still got tossed in the trash. Next to the candles on the prize table were the bath oils. Since I prefer a shower over the one or two baths I may take a year, the oils didn’t call out to me either. Only one prize spoke to me. A hot pink plastic kitchen scrub brush with jet black bristles jutting out of the back of its skull head. Not that common of a sight at my local grocery store, and maybe a little crazy, but still useful. So I walked back to my table clutching my new gift. The skull buys me coffee. Soon after I won my brush, the grandmother-to-be made an announcement. She bet her son (the dad-to-be) that no one would pick this demented kitchen utensil. So she bought it and decided to award a special prize to the person that dared to pick a skull brush for their kitchen sink. The special extra prize was a gift card to Starbucks. I always knew that my strangeness would garner an appropriate recognition someday. That and a cup of coffee.
Posted by halfbakedlog
boomers...living life to the fullest
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MEDICAL MATTERS DEPRESSION TRIGGER
The Mid-Life De by Michele Howe
O
n the day I celebrated my forty-fifth birthday, my yearly custom typically included eagerly anticipating a sumptuous meal with my husband, opening thoughtfully presented gifts from my four lively teens, lunching out with treasured friends stretched casually over several weeks’ time, and savoring the largest section of the most decadent chocolate cake ever conceived. There were myriad activities I should have been looking forward to, but I wasn’t. In truth, the very thought of commemorating this previously ritually joyous event made me even more depressed. Depressed? Did I mention the word depressed? Couldn’t have… not me. Not the “I’m always in control of my subdued emotional persona” which I had effectively portrayed to the world for the past forty-four years of my existence. Then why? Why was it that I found facing the truth of my current predicament so very painful? Why did a simple elective shoulder surgery send me into a period of emotional despair? I wasn’t depressed before I opted to have my loose shoulder tightened. So what exactly was the trigger? Something transpired within my psyche during those subsequent post-op days that sent me spiraling into a black, obscure night of the soul. The worst aspect of this terrifying, albeit temporary experience, was that I felt powerless…utterly helpless… and entirely alone on this companionless journey. Although I never, ever, would have anticipated reacting in such dramatic fashion to an elective surgical procedure, I have had to face up to what happened to me during those early post-surgery weeks. If I had been privy to an outsider’s unbiased observation of my inner-emotional workings, I would have clearly declared that the woman in question (me) was undoubtedly boomers...living life to the fullest
depressed. Yet I couldn’t, wouldn’t dare, name it at the time. I was too ashamed; too humiliated by this debilitating label…in fact, I was horrified that others, including intimate family and friends, would come to the same conclusion that I secretly feared. I was not in control, rather, I was so emotionally out of control that I apprehensively worried my mind was coming unhinged. Having never experienced such drastic fluctuations in my emotional state before, I didn’t recognize the signals of depression. True enough, I wasn’t sleeping…. enduring continual shoulder pain for weeks on end will inhibit even the soundest reposer from gaining daily needed rest. I had also stopped exercising for a solid month post-surgery, something I’ve never done in my entire adult life. This too, may have contributed to how off-kilter my body felt as it responded to this drastic change in my former daily pattern. Most significantly, most terrifyingly, it was as though someone was pinning me against the wall…and no matter how mightily I struggled, I couldn’t break free. It was in this skewed frame of mind that I unwisely, almost obsessively, began contemplating life…. my faith, my marriage, my work, my future…. for hours on end. Pondering the past, present, and future through these murky, dimly lit lenses was not a good thing. I’d sit alone with a growing inner remorse while reliving past decisions and regretting poor choices. This habit alone increased my sense of despair, my lack of hope. Thankfully, I had outside support or I may have begun believing that my wild mental digressions into the hopeless were true. Because my family and friends continued to speak positive words of truth, accurately assessing my life, indeed my very person, I was able to heed that small, still-sane, voice in me that continued to resist these negative mind-speaks. It was a battle to be sure, one that I fought hour by hour, and often I found
MEDICAL MATTERS DEPRESSION TRIGGER
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epression Trigger myself placing a desperate telephone call to a trusted friend for perspective, to vent, to question, and for prayer. Now I can see that some of the most helpful advice I received during those darkly tenuous post-op weeks, were the suggestions to care for my physical body, to treat myself with a tender care, and to allow myself generosity of forgiveness, and time…. lots of time to rest, recover, and rejuvenate. Admittedly, I felt as though I was spoiling myself adhering to such loving counsel… but after a bit; I realized my friends were right. And so wise. My body needed a quiet period to heal…it was up to me to see that I made the right choices to allow this to happen. As I met with the surgeon after my operation, difficult as it was, I explained my emotional tailspin in brief. With a prescription for a sleep aid in hand and some fresh determination, I left the office feeling a bit more ready to proactively heal in the most “stationary” sense of the word. Sleep eventually became a blessed respite and my outlook improved dramatically. Daily exercising helped me “work out” some of the doldrums as well. I ate with authority…. meaning with full intention of building nutritious food stocks into every meal. And…I continued to lean on my family and friends, for conversation, for hugs, and for simple caring. It took a full three months before I realized I was almost “me” again. Still, every once in a while, when I grew especially tired or stressed, I felt that ominous dark cloud begin to dodge my every step. So, I would retreat a bit from life’s busyness, rest some more, and relish everyday simple joys. Who could have foreseen that during one of the most productive and most satisfying periods of mid-life that a simple elective surgery could wreck such emotional havoc? Certainly not me. Yet countless other women have experienced the same uncontrollable response to their own “mid-life triggers” into depression. Mid-life
women are all too often literally sandwiched betwixt and between their partners, children, parents, friends, and colleagues’ needs and expectations thus forfeiting their own health in the process. At some point, every woman must stand apart and carefully assess her life, both internally and externally with tempered realism. Otherwise, the sudden and frequently devastating onslaught of depression may render her incapable of functioning and feeling utterly hopeless. By exploring some common triggers that mid-life women may face if they find themselves suffering for a time with mild depression, women can move through this time of emotional tension more fully armed and better prepared.
Top Triggers Positive Life Stress Karen found herself gripping the doorjamb to her apartment as she tried to decide whether to go in or stay put. She realized that entering her home meant facing “The List” the daunting visual reminder of her daughter’s upcoming wedding. Of course, Karen was thrilled that her only daughter was marrying. Still, as a single mom for long years, Karen also realized how drastically her life would change once her daughter moved out and on. Uncharacteristically for her, Karen found herself hesitant, distracted, and almost panicstricken. But since when did I begin shrink from going home? This is nonsense, Karen decided, I need some perspective and quick before this emotional detour takes charge of me altogether. boomers...living life to the fullest
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MEDICAL MATTERS DEPRESSION TRIGGER
Job promotions, weddings, vacations, even the most coveted of life’s milestones can precipitate short-term depression in mid-life women. Surprisingly, many women don’t realize how much emotional toll these beneficial experiences can take on their mental and emotional psyche. As with everything in life, balance is key. Realistic planning is also highly recommended for all women, no matter what their age or station in life.
Negative Life Stress Jen left the funeral emotionally adrift. She puzzled over how moved other family members had been as they said their final good-byes to this distant relative. It was unnerving how easily Jen could turn her feelings off these past months. Maybe even a little scary if she was honest. Yet after caring for this elderly gentlemen almost entirely on her own for five years, Jen didn’t have much energy for feeling anything. Just meeting the needs of her young family and this extended family member had completely exhausted her reserves; only she didn’t yet realize it. Family emergencies, extended care-giving responsibilities, financial upsets, unresolved relational issues, childcare dilemmas, and workplace challenges… are part and parcel of the majority of women’s daily existence. Long-term perspective is a must coupled with a strong support group of fellow travelers who can come along side with empathy, care, and unconditional boomers...living life to the fullest
acceptance, more vital now than ever before. Enlisting (and lending) anticipated help before the next major landslide of distressing events is especially crucial at this period of mid-life. Shifts in Health Marisa was old enough to know better. Still, she clearly set aside her better sense when it came to taking care of herself. Busy with three teens and running a part time business from home hindered Marisa from seeing to it that she made (and kept) annual check-ups. It wasn’t until she noticed how her deeply heart pounded and how easily winded she became after performing even the simplest tasks that Marisa grew apprehensive and decided her yearly physical was well overdue. Receiving the news that she had high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, and a recent gain of over twenty pounds about pushed Marisa over the edge until she took stock and determined to begin treating herself with the same care she offered to her family. Sadly, many mid-life women neglect their health in both obvious and subtle ways. They avoid regular check-ups with the family doctor, gynecologist, dentist, and ophthalmologist, not recognizing how quickly most delineations from former good health can be detected and corrected. Simply showing up can make a difference. Women especially need to be checked for ever altering hormone levels, informed on how their current meds will affect their bodies and emotions, and what signs to be on the watch for according to their particular family health history. Health-Inducing Restoratives Exercise, Stretch, and Sleep Katherine, frequently dubbed the queen of spontaneity, heeded the wake-up call delivered by way of a minor stroke at age forty-three. Somewhat overweight, thoroughly inactive, this pharmaceutical rep realized she only had one life to call her own…better to handle it with care. Once Katherine received the all-clear from her doctor, she began an exercise plan in earnest and even learned the importance of regular sleep patterns which surprisingly to her, boosted her energy levels so that she could enjoy even more spontaneous activities with greater satisfaction. As women age, regularity in habits and scheduling
MEDICAL MATTERS DEPRESSION TRIGGER becomes primary. The body will respond to even the simplest minor alterations toward good health. Discover the least resistant path to consistently exercise, eat healthily, and sleep effectively and make these habits a priority. Realistic Expectations Megan truly understood her tendency to perfectionism. She saw its negative results in the despondent look her young son expressed after she’d redone his morning chore more times than she could remember. Inside, Megan hated herself for feeling so internally focused on such non-issues. So she determined to let these inconsequential blips go…and instead, she concentrated on bigger, timelier matters…like hugging her child and congratulating him on a job well done. Striving for excellence is exemplary…expecting perfection is counter-productive. All of life is riddled with imperfection, brokenness, and frailty. It is the wise woman who does what she can to make a positive difference. Wiser still, is the same woman who understands she cannot fix every thing, person, or situation…and she makes peace with that fact. Healthy Relationships When Jill discovered that her father had once again dismissed her rules on several key-parenting issues while baby-sitting her three sons, she was livid. It shouldn’t be so difficult; she huffed, to get one adult to respect the wishes of another. So why do I continue asking Dad to watch the boys? Hmmm. Maybe I just need to sit him down a final time lay down the law and then find a replacement sitter if it happens again. What seemed like a Godsend has turned into a weekly battle of the wills. Prudent women recognize healthy boundaries that include immediate family and close friends. Surround yourself with people who support your efforts, stand by your decisions, and are at the ready to offer assistance when required. Have the courage to distance yourself or even end ties with individuals who diminish the woman you seek to become. Michele Howe has published over 1200 reviews/articles and has been featured on numerous radio shows across the country. Her work has been published in MORE , Good Housekeeping and SheKnows.com.
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Tips for WINNING Over Depression Depression symptoms can be eased by taking smaller steps as well, most of which you can enact on your own. While they shouldn’t substitute for proper treatment, they can help you overcome the emotional lows and give you a sense of empowerment when confronting the condition. Depression Self-Help Tips 1: Cultivate supportive relationships Getting the support you need plays a big role in lifting the fog of depression and keeping it away. The thought of reaching out to even close family members and friends can seem overwhelming. You may feel ashamed, too exhausted to talk, or guilty for neglecting the relationship. Remind yourself that this is the depression talking. You loved ones care about you and want to help. Turn to trusted friends and family members. Try to keep up with social activities even if you don’t feel like it. Join a support group for depression. 2: Exercise Doctors at the Mayo Clinic and elsewhere recommend 30 minutes of exercise each day to help combat depression. Strenuous activity releases endorphins in the brain, which helps elevate mood 3: Healthy Diet Poor eating habits can contribute to depression. Junk food and fast food contribute little nutrition to your body, and skipping meals makes you more likely to feel irritable and depressed 4: Challenge negative thinking Depression puts a negative spin on everything, including the way you see yourself, the situations you encounter, and your expectations for the future. • Think outside yourself. • Allow yourself to be less than perfect. • Socialize with positive people. • Keep a “negative thought log.” Then stop thinking those thoughts boomers...living life to the fullest
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MEDICAL MATTERS NECESSARY TREATMENTS
“Necessity is the mother of all invention.” Author Unknown A cliché is merely a gathering of words whose combined meaning has withstood the passage of time. The particular arrangement above has been floating around Western Civilization for more than a few years and perhaps a revision would benefit the more jaded sections of our collective consciousness. I see a tendency, at least in myself if not in humanity in general, to think of invention in terms of neat gadgets. Gadgets, like the one I am using now, that make life more comfortable. I believe innovations are so much more than that, as these advancements in health care may demonstrate. Salt therapy has been around for some time now but advancements in delivery systems have only recently made it across the pond. Bowen massage technique is gentle rolling movements broken up by pauses and has numerous benefits and was born out of an Australian man’s desire to help his fellow laborers. These two alternative treatments address a broad range of ailments and both have entered, stage right, via the direction of necessity.
room, sit back in a zero gravity chair, relax, and breath like normal. Experience for yourself the benefits of a salt mine without having to become a miner or shell out thousands for a trip to an expensive natural spa. James Rizzoto is the first to bring salt therapy to Texas launching Salt Escape in a Plano, a Dallas suburb in June 2011. “I had watched my daughter suffer from asthma for years until I discovered this natural remedy,” Rizzoto said. Salt therapy is little known in the United States, the manager of Salt Escape, Tanya Holliman (Check name) said Salt Escape is one of only twelve such facilities in the United States. Rizzoto plans on expanding the therapy to include locations all over the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex.
I draw the curtain now upon an innovation to ancient knowledge, the therapeutic benefits of salt. The Egyptians knew of the salutary qualities inherent in salt, as did the Hindus. In the modern era in Europe Dr. Felix Boczkowski, a Polish health official, first wrote about the health benefits he observed in the miners at the salt mine in Wieliczka, they had good skin and did not suffer from respiratory illnesses.
Rizzoto further explains that salt “Is a natural antiinflammatory, bacteria can’t grow on it, and it acts as an expectorant to move the mucus out of your system while it’s opening up your airways.” The treatments benefit people suffering from a wide array of upper respiratory and skin conditions including allergies, asthma, bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, psoriasis, ear infections, eczema, even cold and flu symptoms, and that is only the short list. Rizzoto, desiring to help as many people as possible has managed to keep the price down with a single adult session costing as little as $45 and an annual subscription being only $99 a month for daily sessions.
For many years since, Speleotherapy or cave therapy has been common in abandoned European salt mines. Yet for the vast majority of the population the expense of traveling to such natural sites has been prohibitive. Watch as necessity takes the stage and her courtship with salt begins. This affair arises with a group of Russian scientists. If it’s too costly for the majority of the population to travel to natural salt caves then humanity strives to make their own and so necessity gives birth to Halotherapy. Encrust the walls of a room with salt, put salt on the floors, pump pharmaceutical grade salt through an ionizer into the
And so upon the stage of history necessity births innovation. Starting out with people suffering from respiratory illness traveling to salt mines, to Russian scientists inventing their own man-made salt encrusted caves, to an IT professional and baby boomer wanting a better life for his daughter brining the concept to Texas. Perhaps you’re unconvinced. There is only one way to remedy that, experiment. It could be you’re reading this somewhere far from any current Halotherapy locations. Take a trip to Dallas and visit Salt Escape, visit Halo Air/ Salt Rooms in New York, Galos Spa in Chicago, The Salt Room in Orlando, or The Salt Chalet in Los Angles.
boomers...living life to the fullest
MEDICAL MATTERS NECESSARY TREATMENTS
Perhaps you will become convinced, perhaps some necessity will move you to start a salt spa in your town. Please let us know if you do. Another story of necessity brining innovation is Bowen or NST (Neuro-Structural Integration Technique). Tom Bowen (1916-1982) of Australia, developed an interest in osteopathy while working in a cement works. He noticed the necessity to treat the aches and pains of his fellow laborers. Bowen, without any formal training, began giving massages to the local workers and soon discovered a natural ability to heal people with gentle touch. Since Bowen’s death in 1982 his massage technique has gained a wide following in Australia and Europe. While this treatment has been in the United States for twenty five years it is still relatively unknown. Brenda Briscoe of In-Joy Nutrition & Bodyworks in Dallas describes the technique on her website as follows. “The Bowen Technique (BowTech) and NeuroStructural Integration Technique (NST) — both referred to as Bowen therapies — are therapeutic systems developed to facilitate whole body healing. These methods are fairly new to the US and are quickly gaining in popularity because of their incredible effectiveness. Their purpose is to remove pain and other dysfunctions by restoring the structural integrity of the body. The procedures consist of a series of skin-rolling movements on specific points on the body. The movements are gentle and can be done through clothing. There are frequent and important pauses between sets of moves, giving the body time to benefit from each. Bowen therapy stimulates the healing process by activating the body’s natural ability to heal itself. Relaxation, as well as an organized healing response, is often felt after a series of treatments, resulting in an unraveling of neuromuscular compensations.” Brenda performed a session on a client she has seen since 2007 and it went precisely as she states in her website. She also performed the treatment on me and
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it felt like she was turning switches in my body. At one point it felt like electricity was shooting up and down my legs and I did experience a decrease in pain in my right knee and lower back. How did Brenda get into Bowen Therapy? Again necessity enters stage right. She saw a need and met it. Her step-daughter had scoliosis which was hindering her until Brenda discovered Bowen Therapies. Her daughter noticed increased energy and range of motion. While results may vary depending on the nature of one’s malady, Ashley McCarty, the person Brenda performed the treatment on for this interview came to her in 2007 with fibromyalgia and a host of other conditions. Since beginning this treatment she has reduced her medications from twenty-eight to four. Along with increased exercise and plenty of water intake she has increased her energy levels and has even begun the process of going to law school. “I would never have even considered moving to go to law school without Brenda and the Bowen therapy.” The Bowen Technique stimulates the autonomic nervous system, resetting muscles in the body to their natural state of rest allowing healing to occur. To find a Bowen practitioner in your area or to learn more visit the following websites http://www.in-joy.us/ or www. bowtech.com. These are only a couple examples from this era of daily innovations and data measured in zettabytes and it can often be overwhelming to process it all. However it is an exciting time to live as knowledge that in previous generations might have remained geographically restrained can now travel the globe in seconds. In the area of health, a necessity for all of humanity, innovations from all corners can bring a better quality of life to more people quicker which I hope shines a light on the power of necessity to bring more than simple neat gadgets into our lives. Perhaps it can bring greater and increased life as well, weather through salt or gentle healing touch. boomers...living life to the fullest
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RESOURCES ARTICLE
AARP 866-554-5377 Adult Protective Services 214-951-7902 Alzheimer’s Association 214-827-0062 American Cancer Society 214-819-1200 American Heart Association 214-373-6300 Area Agency on Aging (Dallas) 214-379-4636 Area Agency on Aging (North Central Texas)
800-272-3921
Arthritis Foundation 214-826-4361 Better Business Bureau 214-220-2000 Collin County Committee on Aging, Inc.
972-562-6996
Contact Crisis Line 972-233-2233 Dallas Area Parkinson Society 972-620-7600 Dallas County Older Adult Services
214-819-1860
Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind 214-821-2375 Jewish Family Service 972-437-9950 Legal Hotline for Older Texans 800-622-2520 Meals on Wheels Dallas 214-689-2639 Medicaid 214-767-6495 Medicare 800-MEDICARE (633-42273) Retired State Employees Association 512-451-0087 Senior Adult Services 972-242-4464 Senior Employment Program 214-823-5700 The Senior Source 214-823-5700 Social Security Administration 214-346-2381 Texas Department of Aging & Disability Services
800-458-9858
Veteran’s Administration Medical Center 214-742-8387
Senior Activity Centers llen
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1950-A South Valley Parkway
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108 E Washington St
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3815 B Sachse Rd
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