s ’ y a d o T Vol. 5 No. 1
Yes!
Financial Resolutions for the New Year Do Work Old Enough for Sex:
What Boomers Want in the Bedroom The Importance of Your Social Security Benefit Statement
Boomer Travel: Top 10 Places to Go in Winter 2016
FREE
Alternatives for Paid Services Boomer Healthy Eating: New TrendChicken Paillard
F– Being Old: A Call to Action: “SOSS”-Save Our Social Security Today’s BoomeR Featuring The Only B2B -Business 2 BoomeR Marketplace!
Up Coming CruisesBook Now! Hawian Isles Paradise Educruise Credit Union Leadership Forum May 28-June 4th, 2016 Bordeaux, Vineyards & Chateaux Credit Union Success Forum River Educruise June 19-June 26, 2016 Alaska—Voyage of the Glaciers Credit Union Growth Strategies Forum 2016 July 23-July 30, 2016 African Safari Adventure 2016 The Credit Union Survival To Thrival Experience August 1-August 10, 2016
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This Issue Januray / February 2016 Volume 5, Number 1
Boomer Travel
5
’s y a d To
Top 10 Places to Go in Winter 2016
Yes, Financial Resolutions 9 For the New Year Do Work Boomer Consumer Watch
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Founders: John Vardallas & Alexandra Maragha Editor-In-Chief: Alexandra Maragha Contributing Writers : Bob Trotter: Social Security Chef Eben Atwater: Healthy Eating
Free Alternatives for Paid Services
Advertising: Team
Social Security
For Letters to the Editor, articles and feedback as well as advertising inquiries email Alexandra@TheAmericanBoomeR.com
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The Importance of Your Benefits Statement
Old Enough For Sex
12
What Boomers Want in Bed
5 Things You Did in the 14 70’s You Could Never Do Today 20 Everyday Things to Improve Your Life in 2016
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Boomer Healthy Eating
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Chicken Paillard
New Blog: F-Being Old
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“SOSS”-Save Our Social Security
B2B Marketplace
TheAmericanBoomeR.com John Vardallas CEO/Founder Professional Speaker Business/Lifestyle Strategist Boomer Sage and Blogger JohnVardallas@TheAmericanBoomeR.com (608) 577-8707 Alexandra Maragha Founder & Editor-In-Chief Today’s BoomeR Alexandra@TheAmericanBoomeR.com Today’s BoomeR Vol.5 No.1 Today’s BoomeR is published six times (Jan/Feb, Mar/Apr, May/ June, July/Aug, Sept/Oct, Nov/Dec) a year by The American BoomeR.com 769 North Star Drive (Suite 207) Madison, WI 53718 All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
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EDITOR’S LETTER
’s
Today
Moment of Truth, Moment of You There is a moment in life, where if one can allow their sense of self to open to the purest and most vulnerable point receiving themselves as is in that moment, one can truly reflect. If fortunate enough to pause and listen to their inner self, the so called “moment of truth” can occur.
(feature)
In that moment one can take their next breath stronger, their next step sturdier, and follow with an internal evolution of realization, acceptance, claiming a choice and moving forward to place that becomes a choice in action. Through this realization and moment of self, a person is blessed to realize who they are, what they want and admitting to all aspects of their self creating a peace and calm within, while holding on to that element of calm through devotion and submission p. 10 to maintain and enhance that choice to live calm. This issue is to give elements of calm to ascribe to in the new year. Our feature is simple, with 20 simple things to do everyday to improve your life in 2016. Boomer finances include resolutions that do work and our consumer watch is all about the free alternatives to paid services. To stay calm this year, release stress through great sex where we reveal the things she wants and what he wants in the bedroom, or maybe while you take a winter vacation at one of our top ten places to go. Boomer Blogger Johnny V urges boomers to “SOSS”-Save Our Social Security to maintain a calm retirement and Boomer Chef Eben Atwater reveals a delicious dinner choice to an old traditional dish that is emerging as a new trend. And as you may reflect, we also looked back just for fun at five things you could do in the 70’s that are now cultural gems of an era. If your are truly able to have that human moment, take every part of it in, and feel every part of your humanity to find your calm, and as you continue following that moment of you, continue perhaps one of the most calming and humbling feelings of life; that of sincere gratitude. Not a moment goes by where I am not thankful and grateful for my calm. Happy, peaceful, new year. Enjoy.
p. 12 Alexandra Maragha Editor-In-Chief Send Letters and Feedback to: Alexandra@theamericanboomer.com
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Top 10 Places to Go in Winter 2016 Fodors.com
BOOMER TRAVEL
Winter is here so it’s time to start planning your first trip of 2016. From the peaks of the Alps to the beaches of Hawaii, there’s no shortage of exciting destinations to hit in the coming months. Whether you’re looking for a warm-weather escape or the ski trip of a lifetime, you’ll find inspiration on our list of the top destinations to visit this winter. —Michael Alan Connelly Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah If you want to enjoy the beauty of the national parks without the crowds, consider visiting between January and March. The otherworldly rock formations of Bryce Canyon draw more than one million visitors every year, most of whom come in droves every season except winter. However, the hoodoos—iconic red rock spires—look the most dramatic when topped by a heap of snow. Expect a chill, though the park's daytime temperature rarely drops below freezing thanks to its desert location. Winter’s crisp, dry air makes stargazing particularly vivid here, and the park offers free ranger-guided full moon snowshoe hikes and winter astronomy sessions. Unlike Utah's other national parks, Bryce Canyon receives plenty of snow, making it a popular cross-country ski area as well. Martinique Get ready to be enchanted by this cosmopolitan Caribbean island, where you can enjoy French gastronomy, shop for goods made by Chanel and Limoges, spend your days on white-sand beaches or in tropical rainforests, and stay up late in the nightclubs of Fort-de-France. American Airlines launched a Miami–Martinique route in April 2013,
Today’s BoomeR 5
silver-mining town. This season marks the debut of the new Park City ski resort, a combination of the former Park City Mountain Resort with neighboring Canyons, making it the largest ski resort in the United States with 7,300 skiable acres. Part of the resort opened on November 21, but the final steps of the $50 million plan—including the Quicksilver Gondola, which connects PCMR and Canyons—will not be complete until the week of
but it’s now easier than ever for East Coasters to make the trip thanks to Norwegian Airlines’ just-launched service between the island and New York City (three times a week), and twice-weekly flights from Boston and Baltimore. This is the first time Martinique has been accessible from the Northeast in more than two decades, so take advantage of these new flight options before the word gets out.
Christmas. Aside from skiing, Park City heats up every winter during the Sundance Film Festival (January 21–31, 2016) when Hollywood takes over for a week and a half. If you’re attending for the Park City, Utah first time, be sure to read The state of Utah is the #1 destination on Fodor’s Go List 2016, in 10 Do’s and Don’ts for no small part because of big developments in this former Your First Sundance Film
Festival. Punta del Este, Uruguay Feeling flashy this winter? Then head to this glitzy seaside escape, essentially the Hamptons of South America, where the active nightlife scene includes parties that keep going past sunrise. Clubbing aside, the beaches are the main draw for both summering families and the celebrity jet set, whether they want to swim, surf, or simply see and be seen. Punta is a popular New 6 Today’s BoomeR
Year’s Eve destination, and the start of January signals the arrival of the high season here, when the beaches swell with visitors. If you prefer a quieter experience, head to Punta in March, when the weather is still warm but the crowds are thinner. Miami, Florida Miami is a year-round destination, but there’s a reason it’s so popular in winter: The weather is just about perfect every day. On top of that, there are special events and festival seemingly every weekend.
Upcoming highlights include Art Deco Weekend (January 15– 17, 2016); the South Beach Wine & Food Festival (February 24– 28, 2016), which gets bigger and better every year; and the Ultra Music Festival (March
major metropolis with well over a million residents. The city captivates residents and visitors alike with its vibrant lifestyle as well as its pulsing nightclubs, globe-spanning restaurants, and worldclass museums. The beaches of San Juan offer waves for surfers and calm waters for families, and there are many culinary delights for food lovers to enjoy. Once you set foot in this city, you may never want to leave. Lake Louise Ski Resort, Banff National Park Have you ever skied in a UNESCO World Heritage Site? That’s precisely what you can do at Lake Louise Ski Resort, located inside
18–20, 2016), which draws electronic-music acts and fans from around the world. If you go, there are plenty of new hotels to stay at, and you have to check out our ten favorite buildings in the Art Deco District. San Juan, Puerto Rico With average temperatures ranging from 72–83 degrees in winter, the capital of Puerto Rico offers a perfect escape from snow and cold—and you don’t even have to bring your passport! You may associate the city with the colonial streets of Old San Juan, but this is a Today’s BoomeR 7
stunning Banff National Park. Voted Canada’s best ski resort at the 2015 World Ski Awards, this charming resort has beautiful views and one of the world’s best mountain-resort hotels, the iconic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. None of this is new, so why go now? Earlier this year, Parks Canada approved massive (and controversial) expansion plans for the resort, which will nearly double the daily skier capacity, from 6,000 to 11,500, in coming years. All of which is to say this could be the last winter to enjoy Lake Louise in its current, pristine form.
Les Trois Valleés, France
If you want the best skiing in the world, look no further than Les Trois Valleés (The Three Valleys) in the French Alps. Widely considered to be one of the world’s best ski resorts (if not the best), Val Thorens is Europe’s highest resort (7,546 feet) and equally renowned for its slope and après-ski scene. If you go, you can book an all-inclusive package at the new Club Med Val Thorens Sensations, which will save you the hassle of buying lift tickets, equipment rentals, and meals separately. Elsewhere in Les Lanai, Hawaii Trois Valleés, you can visit upscale Courchevel, home to more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other ski resort. For With no traffic lights or crowds, this small Hawaiian island offers a something less flashy, consider Méribel, which feels tucked away blissful retreat from the modern world—but big changes are in in the forest and is undoubtedly one of the Alps’ most gorgeous store for Lanai. In 2012, Oracle cofounder Larry Ellison purchased resorts. a 97% stake in the island for $300 million; now, four years later, his vision for the Pineapple Island is coming to fruition. Following Oman a multi-million dollar transformation, Four Seasons Resort Lanai If the Middle East is calling you, skip the overdevelopment of will begin welcoming guests again in February, with reservations Dubai and Abu Dhabi for the comparatively understated pleasures available starting March 1. (For most of 2016, the property is of this unexplored country on the Arabian Peninsula. Oman is offering guests a free fourth night.) Meanwhile, Four Seasons home to stunning beaches, isolated deserts, and opulent spas and Resort Lanai, The Lodge at Koele will also reopen to the public; it’s hotels—what’s not to like? Because it remains under the radar, been closed since the summer to house the crew renovating the the number of tourists isn’t overwhelming here, and in winter other property. If you choose to go before the resorts open, you’ll you’ll be able to enjoy a temperate, almost Mediterranean have one lodging option, Hotel Lanai, but no matter when you go climate, with sunny days and chilly evenings. The country's first you’ll feel like you essentially have the island to yourself. luxury eco-resort, Alila Jabal Akhdar, opened in 2014, and both Four Seasons and Aman have plans to open there soon. 8 Today’s BoomeR
Yes, Financial Resolutions for the New Year Do Work! Reuters
retirement.
We all know the drill by now: Make a New Year’s resolution to lose weight or reduce spending or finally finish that novel. Fail in miserable fashion. Feel bad about yourself and scarf down a tub of double-chocolate ice cream.
All the financial pledges in the world will not mean a thing is you have no firm strategy for how to pull them off. So how do you go from resolution to actual achievement?
It is enough to make you want to throw your hands up and not make resolutions at all. Like Cheryl Chen, a freelance writer in southern California.
?
It comes down to forming an action plan. “I used to do New Year’s resolutions, and then never kept them,” said Chen, 27, who stopped making resolutions al “If it’s a few seconds to New Year’s and you’re just throwing together around three years ago. “I don’t see the point in all something up in the wind, then it’s not going to work,” said the pressure. Everyone is always asking about them.” Dr. John Norcross, a psychology professor at the University of Scranton who has conducted multiple studies on the But before you swear off resolutions forever, check out new subject. “It requires preparation. You have to be serious data from mutual fund manager Fidelity Investments. about the endeavor.” Fidelity's just released New Year’s Resolutions study discovered that making financial resolutions does, in fact, For those who are dedicated to their goal, the statistics are help get your fiscal house in order. pretty impressive: Norcross found that 46 percent of people were able to keep their resolution for at least six months. In fact, of those who nearly or completely achieved their resolution for this year, 56 percent said their finances had “We actually stopped doing the study, because we found improved. Of those who fell short, only 34 percent reported the exact same thing every time,” Norcross said. “People better money circumstances. should be comforted that achieving your resolutions is possible.” “Financial resolutions are actually relatively easy to achieve,” said John Sweeney, Fidelity’s executive vice His main trick for success? Deliberately design your life so president for retirement and investing strategies. “With diet that you are more likely to succeed and not just rely on or exercise, you have to get up every single morning and willpower alone. That means making realistic and attainable resolve all over again, but with something like a 401(k) goals, publicly declaring them so that others will encourage payroll deduction, you just set it up once at the beginning of and help you, and rewarding yourself for your successes. the year, and then it becomes part of your lifestyle.” It also means tracking your progress, avoiding environments In the Fidelity survey, 37 percent of those surveyed planned where you will fail (if you are trying to lose weight, don’t on making financial resolutions for Jan.1. up from 31 percent walk by that French patisserie), and allowing yourself the last year. occasional slip-up, Norcross said. Draw up a specific plan in place for when you screw up, and gobble down a donut or The top three financial resolutions: “saving more,” cited by two. 54 percent of respondents, “spending less,” with 19 percent, and “paying off debt,” with 16 percent. After about three months, the new routine will have taken over and your behaviors will become automatic. The secret fears driving those money resolutions? Most said unexpected expenses, the economy and healthcare costs in a
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BoomeR ConsumeR Watch: Free Alternatives for Paid Services By Erin Huffstetler, Frugal Living Expert
Ditch your DSL or broadband Internet service, and replace Cutting expenses from your budget doesn't have to mean giving it with free 4G wireless Internet from FreedomPop. If the things up. Check out these great, free alternatives for services service isn't offered in your area yet, consider relying on free wi-fi hot spots until it is. that you're used to paying for: 1. Cable/Satellite Use Hulu to keep up with the latest episodes of your favorite shows – even shows on premium channels, like HGTV, Lifetime and History. Then, hook an antenna up to your TV, and find new shows to fall in love with. Most networks have two or three channels of programming now, so there's more free TV than ever before (go to antennaweb.org to see what channels are available in your area).
6. Cellphone Services Snag 500mb of free data from FreedomPop each month. Text for free using the Heywire or Textfree app, and make free calls using Viber, Skype Mobile or Textfree. That pricey cell phone package is so 2012, so kick it to the curb.
2. Movie Subscriptions Catch free movies on Hulu and Crackle. Then, hit the library for even more. Dying to see a particular newrelease movie? Sign up to receive text messages from Redbox (just text OFFERS to 727272), and they'll send you a free rental code the first Monday of every month.
8. Dental Care Do a search for dental schools in your area. Then, visit each school's website or call to see what dental services they offer. This can be a great way to score free (or cheap) dental care, regardless of financial need. If you're a lowincome individual, check with your local health department to see if they offer any free dental services; search for a free dental clinic in your area; or visit dentistryfromtheheart.org to see, if they'll be coming to a city near you.
7. Long Distance Cancel the long distance service on your landline, and use Skype, Gmail or your cellphone to make all of your out-ofarea calls.
3. Antivirus Software Trade in your paid antivirus subscription for a free download of Microsoft Security Essentials, or try one of the free programs from AVG or Avast. They'll keep your computer virus and malware-free, without charging you a 9. Haircuts cent. Look into the services offered by the nearest cosmetology school, where the cuts could be as cheap as free. Other 4. Magazine Subscriptions The next time one of your magazine subscriptions comes Options: Consider becoming a hair model, or find out if any salons in your town offer a free cut when you donate up for renewal, use one of the free subscription sources mentioned in this article to snag another year for free, or to Locks of Love. let your subscription run out, and get the latest issue from 10. Gym Membership the library, instead. These days, most library branches will Many church gyms have the same amenities that you'll allow you to check magazines out (or even download find at a paid gym – game courts, walking tracks, weight digital copies), so borrowing can be just as good as buying rooms, even exercises classes, and you usually don't have (maybe better, since you don't have to deal with magazine to be a church member to take advantage of the offerings. pile up). Call around to a few churches in your area, and find 5. Internet 10 Today’s BoomeR
yourself a workout spot sans the membership fee.
Social Security: The Importance of Your Social Security Benefits Statement By Bob Trotter, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist
It’s that time of year again: time to start preparing to file
Follow the link to the my Social Security page, and go to
your taxes. If you receive Social Security benefits, one of the “Sign In” or “Create an Account.” Once you are logged in, documents you will need when filing your federal income
select the “Replacement Documents” tab to obtain your
tax return is your Social Security Benefit Statement (Form
replacement 1099 form. If you create a my
SSA-1099).
Social Security account, you can also use it to keep track of
Your Social Security benefits may be taxable. This includes
your earnings each year, manage your benefits, and more.
monthly retirement, survivor, and disability benefits. About You can also obtain a replacement 1099 form by calling us one-third of people receiving Social Security benefits must
at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through
pay taxes on some of these benefits, depending on the
Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., or by contacting your local
amount of their taxable income. This usually happens only if Social Security office. If you live outside of the United you have other substantial income — such as wages,
States, please contact your nearest U.S. Embassy or
self-employment, interest, dividends, and other taxable
Consulate.
income that must be reported on your tax return — in
With a my Social Security account, gathering your Social
addition to your Social Security benefits. You will never have Security information for tax season has never been easier. to pay taxes on more than 85 percent of your Social Security Open your own personal my Social Security account today benefits, based on Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rules.
at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.
To find out if you must pay taxes on your benefits, you will need your Social Security Benefit Statement (Form SSA1099). You should automatically receive your 1099 form each January. It shows the total amount of benefits you received from Social Security in the previous year so you know how much Social Security income to report to the IRS on your tax return. The 1099 form is not available for people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), as SSI payments are not taxable. Whether you file your taxes early or wait until the deadline, Social Security makes it easy to obtain a replacement 1099 form if you didn’t receive one or misplaced yours. You can get an instant replacement quickly and easily by using your secure online my Social Security account. If you don’t already have an account, you can create one in minutes.
Your Questions Answered Question: My husband and I are both entitled to our own Social Security benefits. Will our combined benefits be reduced because we are married? Answer: No. When each member of a married couple works in employment covered under Social Security and both meet all other eligibility requirements to receive retirement benefits, lifetime earnings are calculated independently to determine the benefit amounts. Therefore, each spouse receives a monthly benefit amount based on his or her own earnings. If one member of the couple earned substantially less than the other or did not earn enough Social Security credits (40) to be insured for retirement benefits, he or she may be eligible to receive benefits as a spouse. To learn more, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/retirement. Today’s BoomeR 11
Old Enough For Sex: By Julie Taylor Let’s be honest: What you wanted between the sheets at 20 was probably very different from what you long for now. Maybe a sweaty, five-minute quickie once constituted a good time—now, a slower build-up to passion might be more apt to light After Fifty. At this stage, you need more attention from your fire. We polled experts and seasoned daters to your partner to build up your sexual self-esteem. discover the top three things men and women over 50 desire these days. Their answers just might surprise you. “Women crave whispers, caresses, and, of course, compliments from their lovers now more than ever,” she What She Wants... explains. Fabulous foreplay
“During lovemaking, I don’t want to worry about what my neck looks like,” confesses Sheila Clarkson, 59, of Las Joy Parsons, 63, of Oklahoma City, Vegas, NV. “Deep down, I still feel 19! I want my lover to OK, says more kissing and cuddling is at the top of 43% of boomer women desire more emotional intimacy her make me feel as desirable and hot on the outside as I sexual wish list. “Too many men I’ve dated recently just feel on the inside.” A man can make a woman feel sexy by stroking her skin, holding eye contact, or simply pop a Viagra and expect to get straight to it,” she confesses. “But I for one need an appetizer before I jump telling her how much she turns him on. And both sexes would benefit by relaxing their sexiness standards. Even to the main course.” if you’ve got a few wrinkles and sags, give yourself a “Female baby boomers need a longer warm-up period,” break! Remind yourself how amazing you still look rather concurs Joan Price, author of Better than I Ever than fretting about a few character lines. (Plus: Unless Expected: Straight Talk About Sex After Sixty. “The older you’re dating a man decades younger, you and he both a women gets, lubrication becomes an issue, so have ’em, anyway, so they cancel each other out!) extended intercourse can be uncomfortable and painful More emotional intimacy unless she’s properly primed for it.” Women need slowed-down lovemaking, she adds, not just the “wham, Forty-three percent of Boomer women desire more bam, thank you, ma’am” of days of yore. emotional intimacy in their relationships, according to a recent study of baby boomers conducted by Harris Guys should give their partners lots of foreplay (say, a Interactive. “In the past, if boomers were faced with no half-hour) before they take things to the next level, sex or casual sex, they just might have picked casual advises Price. Try hugging, kissing, and cuddling—this sex,” Price says. “Now, most women don’t want to will give her time to warm up, as well as pump up the bother unless there’s a true connection. If there’s no anticipation factor for both of you. bonding or emotional component, it’s just not worth To get their sexy back their time.” Most women have a harder time feeling desirable now Francis Becker, 55, of Tacoma, WA, says that emotional than they did back in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, says bond is indeed what drives her post-50 sexual Katherine E. Chaddock, co-author of Flings, Frolics, and encounters. “I need to feel like I’m reaching a higher Forever Afters: A Single Woman’s Guide to Romance plane with someone,” she confides. “After a long and 12 Today’s BoomeR
bitter divorce five years ago, I decided that before I slept with someone, he’d have to win my heart first. I don’t take sex lightly, and I don’t want my partner to, either. We need to connect on a spiritual level.” To build intimacy, start by opening the lines of communication. Share a desire, and encourage your partner to do the same. Studies have shown that telling your partner what you want in bed leads to deeper emotional intimacy. Enjoying time together without interruptions (both in and out of the bedroom) also fosters connectedness. So be sure to schedule uninterrupted play time to focus solely on each other.
What He Wants… Passionate positive reinforcement James Franklin, 62, of La Canada, CA, says the most important thing to him in the bedroom is knowing that he’s turning his partner on. “After 60, I don’t always perform like I used to,” he confesses. “So, during sex, it’s crucial for me to know that I’m still a great lover. It’s up to her to send me that message loud and clear.”
However, erectile dysfunction can bring out insecurities in a woman (“Why aren’t I turning him on?”), and that in turn can create an awkward moment all around. Psychologist Joel Block, Ph.D. the author of Sex Over 50, says that the message that a “woman’s sexual role is to attract while a man’s is to perform” is embedded deep within our psyche. “A man’s biggest fear is losing the ability to perform,” he says. “Men want an accepting partner so that they can feel emotionally safe. After all, feeling emotionally safe is the best attitude for good sex!” When and if things don’t go as planned in the passion department, it’s important for women to not make a big deal about it, says Chaddock. “Instead, take this opportunity to discover ways to give each other pleasure that don’t include intercourse,” she advises. “Give back rubs. Caress each other’s bodies. Instead of getting frustrated or saying ‘I give up,’ explore new avenues of pleasure.” More surprises in the sack
After making love for 30, 40, or even 50 years, guys of a certain age can get extremely bored by the same old, If a woman feels shy about verbalizing her erotic same old. And many boomer men say spontaneity is emotions, she can always fall back on more primal their ultimate turn-on. “Men in midlife don’t want to get means of communication. “Moans, groans, oohs, and trapped under the boredom rock,” says Dr. Block. “They aahs will let a man know that he’s on the right track,” are looking for spontaneity and a bolder approach, both advises Price. In fact, Chaddock notes that men prefer in the bedroom and out. Boredom simply isn’t conducive sweet nothings and sighs to sexual instructions: “Telling to passion.” That’s what Ray Brown, 71, of Jersey City, him what feels good is a turn-on. Telling him what he’s NJ, found when he started dating a new woman last doing wrong isn’t.” year. “She was only interested in one position, and she told me there was to be no talking during lovemaking— Less pressure to be the best ever ever,” he says. “After three or four encounters, I felt like Men of all ages tend to pressure themselves to perform falling asleep! I need someone who’s going to keep me at peak level each and every time. But when the bar is guessing, not someone who somehow manages to make set as high now as it was thirty years ago, many boomers sex boring. Now more than ever, life’s just too short.” feel they’ve set themselves up for a fall. “When body Want to inject some spontaneity into your lovemaking? parts won’t cooperate, the sense of failure you feel is just overwhelming,” says Ben Adams, 69, of Boston, MA. Watch a sexy movie together such as Wild Orchid, 9 ½ “It can ruin your night—and then some! You feel like less Weeks, or Like Water For Chocolate. Break out the Kama Sutra. Be sexually adventurous! “Put the ‘play’ back in of a man in your lover’s eyes.” your sex life,” Dr. Block concludes, and you’ll see how Of course, most women would never intentionally make hot things can be! their man feel bad when he has performance issues. Today’s BoomeR 13
5 Things You Did In The 70s That You Could Never Do Today By James Baxley The 1970s were a special time in America. We celebrated our 200th year of independence, we had disco, and we protested the Vietnam War. But with 200 years of independence, one would think that a person living in America was free to live their life the way they see fit.
There are five things that you could do in the '70s that you could never, ever get away with today because they are so despicable, at least to "p.c." police, they would have you arrested and Child Protective Services would take your children away... probably. 1. Drinking from the garden hose. There is a study going around the Internet by the Ecology Center which says basically that drinking from the water hose is bad for your health. The study says that water from the hose contains "lead" and "levels of BPA at 20 times higher than those of safe drinking water levels." I think we always suspected that it wasn't a healthy option from the start.
When we drank from the water hose, we didn't worry about BPAs and lead, this was the last thing we thought about as kids when we were out playing. We just wanted a Not so. quick drink. It wasn't as if we were drinking gallons of waThere were things we did in the '70s that we could never ter from the hose. Besides, kids didn't look at statistics and do today. Now, I'm not talking about murder or tax evasion findings when they were outside playing and thirsty. They or even a Brady Bunch reboot... nothing that drastic. I'm lived on the edge. talking about things done privately... inside the family. They played hard and lived hard. Children today? Not so edgy. Not so hard. 2. Playing outside unattended. There is a mother in Florida who faces up to five years in jail for letting her 7-year old son go to the park to play unattended, you can read about it here. The offense? Child neglect. The same for a Maryland couple who let their kids play unattended in their own neighborhood. You can read about it here also. The CPS actually picked up the kids and took them away. What is this world coming to? When I was growing up we played outside unattended on the weekends and just about every day during the summer. The only rules were 14 Today’s BoomeR
we had to have our homework finished and we had to stay the cigarettes. He knew the parent was waiting outside. within "shouting distance" When the street lights came We did this and it never led me to smoking... peer on, we had to be in. pressure and television did that. Parents, and society in general are so enamored with child 5. Spanking. Most people today equate spanking with -proofing the world that they can't see how they are child abuse or beatings. It couldn't be further from the actually ruining childhood. truth. Now, there are many examples of parents who abuse their children in the name of discipline. Those who are against spankings usually point to these as examples of spankings gone wrong. I was spanked when I was growing up, along
3. Sitting on your father's lap while he is driving. One of my greatest memories growing up was sitting on my father's lap pretending to drive while he was driving. If you were caught driving with your child sitting on your lap today, you would be taken to jail and have the book thrown at you. CPS would take your children, and your driver's license would be revoked for life. Now, I'm not saying this is the safest way to drive with children, but I don't recall growing up hearing about any children being injured. I am also pretty sure that no father took their children out on the express way driving at high speeds with them sitting on their laps... it was a neighborhood thing.
with my brothers and we grew up to be law-abiding, tax-paying citizens.
Our spankings didn't lead us to abusing or neglecting our children. Spankings weren't done every day. If a spanking 4. Children buying cigarettes for their parents. Children was carried out correctly, then only the threat of a spankbuying cigarettes for their parents was more of a way to ing would be enough to make the child think twice. There save time. The parent would drop the child off at the door was a hierarchy when it came to spankings; the mother of a convenience store and circle the parking lot. By the threatened to tell the father and the father carried out the time the parent made it around, the child was outside task. The only upside was you got to choose between a waiting to be picked up. It was a lot quicker than driving belt or a switch... OK, so not much of an upside. around trying to find a spot (if you were lucky), park, walk The difference between the '70s and today is vast. There into the store, buy the cigarettes, and then leave. are many, many things that you cannot do today that you The clerk usually recognized the child who came in to buy could get away with in the '70s. Today’s BoomeR 15
20 Easy, Everyday Things You Can Do to Improve Your Life in 2016 By Paige Smith
4. Only complain when you can offer a solution to the problem. Sometimes you need to vent to let off 1. Write down three things you're grateful for every day. Taking the time to thoughtfully consider steam, but complaining for complaining's sake is counter-productive and can make you feel angry or what you're thankful for reminds you that you upset in the process. If you have something to gripe already have many of the things you want -- and about, follow it up with a solution that will that's worth celebrating. minimize future complaining. Your Internet 2. Gossip less. connection is Frequent too slow? Can gossiping can be you make a detrimental to quick phone call your to your provider relationships and and try to get mental health. that When you feel straightened yourself on the out? The traffic brink of sharing on the way to something work is terrible? unkind or Can you leave participating in earlier or take a unnecessary different route? negative chatter, There's always pause and switch a way to the subject to a remedy a problem, and if you can't find one, then lighter topic or ask someone an easy-to-answer the situation is likely out of your control and personal question. complaining won't help, anyway. 3. Do five-minute phone calls with friends and 5. Look people in the eye when you speak. loved ones. Don't stress out about setting aside an Maintaining eye contact is easy to do when you're hour of your day to catch up with your sister or best listening to someone, but try doing it when you friend. Instead, opt for a quick five-minute call to speak as well. Looking someone in the eye builds say hi, ask what's going on, or wish them luck for an confidence and helps foster connection between important project or event. A few minutes of casual you and the person you're talking to. It also makes conversation with someone you care about lifts you appear more trustworthy, self-aware, and your spirits without sucking up your time. 16 Today’s BoomeR
self-assured.
deactivate that auto-subscription service? Can you eliminate your monthly pedicure? Can you cut your 6. Spend five minutes cleaning every day. In just happy hour bill in half? Do your best to find one five minutes, you can hang clothes, throw away trash, clean counters, sweep, and put your stuff in thing, however small or seemingly insignificant it its proper place. Cleaning just a little bit every day is may be, and get rid of it. Chances are you won't easier than spending several hours doing a massive notice the loss, but even if you do, the extra money you'll be saving will offset the pain of sacrificing clean-up every week. Having a tidy, organized space at home can make all the difference between your daily latte. feeling stressed and unsettled or peaceful and in 11. Make your bed when you wake up. It takes less control. than two minutes (if it takes longer, get rid of your 7. Plan a trip somewhere you've never been. Even throw pillows) and sets the day off on a productive note. Plus, crawling into a freshly made bed at night if you're a creature of habit or a total homebody, yields a sounder sleep than plopping on top of your making the effort to get out of your element is so wrinkled, tangled sheets. worth it. Whether you're visiting the neighboring city you've never seen or hiking Machu Picchu for the first time, experiencing the unfamiliar leads to renewed energy and creativity, newfound perspectives, fun memories, and -- at the very least -- an interesting story. 8. Practice self-kindness. Maybe this means limiting how often you criticize yourself, giving yourself permission to relax if you've had a rough day, or learning that it's okay if you can't please everyone all the time. Observe your habits, behaviors, and thought processes -- are you gentle with yourself? If not, try to pinpoint why and when this occurs, then do your best to actively offer yourself compassion and grace.
12. Carry a book with you. Keep one in your car, your bag, or your briefcase. The next time you find yourself waiting in line, waiting for an appointment, or waiting to meet a friend, open your book and read instead of pulling out your smart phone and scrolling through social media. Engaging with one story or idea, rather than bouncing between hundreds of little pieces of trivial, often irrelevant news, helps your mind stay calm, focused, and present.
13. Say please and thank you -- and mean it. The most basic manners go such a long way in creating a positive environment. Being kind is important. Being kind and sincere is even better. The more 9. Break a sweat every day. However you want to genuine kindness you give to others, the more do it -- running, walking to work, playing basketball, genuine kindness comes back your way. Hold open a door for someone, say hi, thank people for their gym training, furniture rearranging, sex -- make efforts, toss out a please here and there, and smile. sure you get in a sweat every single day. Staying active and getting your heart pumping has infinite 14. Do only one thing at a time. Multi-tasking is not physical and mental benefits, but beyond those, it always an enviable skill or a sign of increased always makes you feel good afterward. productivity. Focusing on more than one task at once usually has an adverse effect -- we accomplish 10. Check your bank statement every two weeks less and feel more stressed in the process. and choose one thing you can cut out. Can you Sometimes multi-tasking is inevitable, like when Today’s BoomeR 17
you're a parent or an elementary school teacher (or silence over thoughtless words that cause damage. really anyone who deals with small children), but 18. Drink a tall glass of water when you wake up. most of the time it's unnecessary. You can heat it, drink it room temperature, or add If you're reading an important report or article, lemon, honey, or berries -- it doesn't matter. Just don't interrupt your flow to respond to all the hydrate. Drinking a big glass of water first thing in group texts you're getting. If you're cooking dinner, the morning wakes you up, jumpstarts your don't try to answer emails at the same time. Give metabolism, helps your body flush out toxins, and your full focus and energy to one task at a time, makes it easier to continue drinking water then move on. throughout the day. 15. Take a walk after every meal. Whenever you can, go on a brief, lengthy, or leisurely walk after you eat. Even just 15 minutes of walking is enough to improve digestion, boost your metabolism, and prevent the groggy feeling that descends shortly after consuming a big plate of food.
19. Give praise freely. The old adage that doling out compliments only gives people an inflated sense of self-worth is ridiculous. Human beings need positive reinforcement and words of affirmation in order to feel connected and cared about. We need to feel appreciated, valued, and respected. So be generous with your compliments 16. Write down your dreams, hopes, and ambitions. Invest in a small journal to record your and praise. If you like your coworker's outfit, tell her. If you find yourself admiring your brother's life plans and goals. Don't censor yourself for any reason. Just write down whatever feels exciting and sense of humor, let him know. Sharing your kind interesting to you -- your dream to buy a small boat thoughts is the easiest, quickest way to positively impact someone's day. and learn to sail, your wish to be fluent in Italian, your hope to have two children. 20. Do at least one thing you love every day. Make Taking the time to write down your greatest wants, time and space in your life for activities you enjoy. many of which may have only existed in your mind, Give yourself permission to pursue your interests is a cathartic and empowering process. Plus, studies and cultivate your passions without guilt or fear. It can be as simple as buying your favorite muffin have shown that spelling out your dreams in ink from the corner store or as time-intensive as can make them feel less intimidating and more setting aside an entire afternoon to work on your attainable. latest fiction novel. Whatever it is, make sure you 17. Think before you speak. Words have immense do it and savor it. power -- they can uplift people or cut them down. Before you cast unfair assumptions or judgments about people, whether or not there seem to be real consequences involved, pause and ask yourself these questions adapted from a wise Arabian proverb: Is what I'm about to say true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? If what you want to say has no basis in reality, if it's hurtful, or if it's irrelevant, opt for 18 Today’s BoomeR
BOOMER HEALTHY EATING: “Two-Way” Trending Chicken Paillard
Recipes and Photos from Chef Eben Atwater
www.urbanmonique.com Twice in recent editions of The New Yorker magazine, I read about folks out to eat in the city so big they had to name it twice ordering Chicken Paillard. That struck me as odd, because that’s not even remotely a modern dish. You won’t find it on the menu in Seattle or Boston, I’d bet, (Although now that it was in the New Yorker twice, you just might). The dish got me thinking, and then, naturally, I felt compelled to dive into it a bit. That Chicken Paillard is going to arrive at your table as a thin cutlet, most likely pan seared or butter poached. You’d think, at first glance, that this will be a fairly unremarkable dish. Yet when you take that first bite, your surprise and delight alarms go off – This chicken is tender, juicy – Remarkable, in fact. How does that work in something that looks so pedestrian? What we have here is a classic example of making something look simple. There’s more than meets the eye. Paillard is a relatively old French term, and the really odd thing is that the root meaning is ‘bawdy’. How that segued into a trendy dish, I don’t know – the culinary variant refers to a thinly sliced or pounded piece of meat. Nowadays, the process is most often called escalope, (or escallope, if you like). That term first appeared in French cooking back in the 1600s, and harkens back to the mollusk that shares the name. A l’escalope meant, in the style of an escalope, such that whatever was being prepared thus was flattened to resemble that noble sea creature. Doing this to a piece of flesh has practical benefits other than visual legerdemain. Thinning chicken, beef, or pork to an even thickness equates to even cooking, which is of course, always desirable. Secondly, thinner also means faster cooking, and that means easier; also a desirable thing. Thinner also, as strange as it may sound, equals juicier as well; faster cooking time enables that trick. And finally, the amount of pounding I’ll advocate for does indeed tenderize your proteins as well. All of that means that this is a technique definitely worth doing. The process of escalloping is generally perceived as whacking on a hunk of protein until it’s flat, but that’s frankly not a best practice. Take a nice plump chicken breast like the one I’ll work with herein. That thing is a good 2″ thick as it comes from the butcher; flattening that out with a meat hammer would wear out a veteran roofer, let alone a home cook. Secondly, that much pounding goes well beyond tenderizing and enters the realm of making meat jelly – not very Today’s BoomeR 19
appealing, that. With all those warnings in mind, here’s how it’s done right – A slicer or carver works best for this operation, but any well sharpened blade of 5″ or more will suffice.
notably stretches your yield – A single, plump chicken breast will feed two well, potentially with leftovers remaining. Classic Chicken Paillard 1 – 2 fresh Chicken Breasts, bone in and skin on. 1 small Lemon 3 Ounces Unsalted Butter 1 Tablespoon Wondra Flour 1 Tablespoon Avocado Oil Pinch fresh Lemon Thyme Sea Salt Grains of Paradise
On a cutting board, lay the chicken breast skin side down. Carefully remove the breast from the bone, (bag and freeze bones for future stock production.) Trim any excess fat, skin flaps, etc. Escalope the chicken breast(s) as per above directions. Make a single cut, Chiffonade fresh sage, (dried is fine too). lengthwise, roughly half way In a heavy sauté pan over medium heat, combine butter through the thickness of the and oil and melt/heat through. breast. Slice breast into halves lengthwise. Turn your knife 90°, (parallel Season lightly with sea salt and grains of paradise. to the breast), and slice Lightly dust breasts evenly with Wondra. evenly from that first cut Carefully place breast skin side down in hot sauté pan, toward the outer edge of the and gently press to create full contact with the pan. breast, stopping when Allow to cook for about 2 minutes, then lift one side of what’s left uncut is roughly pan slightly to pool the butter and oil blend. equal to the thickness of the Spoon hot butter and oil evenly over the top of the breast remaining breast. for about another 2 minutes, until pan side of breast is Repeat that cut on the nicely browned. other half of the breast. Remove breast from pan and allow to rest for 3-5 Now you can gently minutes, and serve. unfold the breast to one There’s the deceptively simple way to take advantage of roughly uniform butterfly. this wonderful method. Now, here’s one that sounds Cover with parchment or fussy, maybe even difficult, but truly is neither – It’s easy, waxed paper, and use the fun, and oh, so rewarding. Roulade en Croute means flat side of a meat simply rolled and covered with a crust. It’s delicious, hammer to gently pound offers myriad variations, and quite lovely. While house the beast to uniform made is always preferable, I’ll share a dirty little secret thickness. about pie crust – Check out Pillsbury refrigerated crusts – Turn meat hammer to the There’s virtually nothing bad in them, they taste great, pointy side and very gently, evenly tap the top surface of and if you’re pressed for time, they’ll more than do in a the breast to tenderize. pinch. You can and should keep skin intact if you’re going to butter poach or pan sear, for added flavor and moisture Chicken Roulade en Croute retention. 1 Large Chicken Breast If you’re doing a roulade, remove the skin and save it for Single Pie Crust making schmaltz. 1/2 Cup Aged Provolone, shredded There you have it – a perfectly escalloped breast ready for 1/2 Cup chopped dried, sweetened Cranberries cooking. Again, the method allows you to cook the 1/2 Cup roasted, chopped Hazelnuts protein as is, or roll it up into some thing a bit fancier if 2 teaspoons fresh Sage, (dried is fine) you wish. Here are a couple recipes covering both opJane’s Crazy Salt tions. Another fringe benefit of the method is that it Fresh ground Pepper 20 Today’s BoomeR
Place breast on a heavy skillet. Lightly rub a little butter over surface. Season with Jane’s and pepper. Poke a few lines or holes in crust – You can also cut some small pieces and do a nice design over top – a flower, plant, etc looks
pretty cool when done. Place pan on a centered rack in oven. Bake for 20 minutes, then check internal
Prepare escaloped chicken breast. In a dry sauté pan over medium heat, toss chopped hazelnuts until lightly browned. Remove from heat, set aside to cool. Spread even layers of cheese, nuts, cranberries, and sage over the breast.
temperature with an instant read thermometer. When temp reaches 155° F, remove roulade from heat and allow to rest in the pan for 10 minutes. Cut generous slices and serve.
Although you won’t need it, a simple pan sauce certainly doesn’t hurt anything. Over medium heat, deglaze the pan you cooked the roulade in with a half cup of dry white wine. Stir up all the little cooked bits, Preheat oven to 350° F. Roll out pie crust to roughly 10″. then add a quarter cup of chicken stock, (or demi glacé, if Gently grab one of the long edges of the breast and form a you heeded our stock making post). Allow that to simmer roll. Transfer rolled breast to center of crust. Lap edges of and reduce for a couple of minutes until the sauce crust over breast, seal with a little water. thickens slightly. Melt in and incorporate a tablespoon of Fold crust ends in on themselves neatly. butter, and drizzle hot over the roulade. Today’s BoomeR 21
F– Being Old By John A. Vardallas Founder/CEO, TheAmericanBoomeR.com
HAPPY NEW YEAR BOOMERS! SINCE 2016 IS THE YEAR OF THE MONKEY-- HELP ME GET THE MESSAGE TO OUR POLITICAL LEADERS NOT TO MONKEY AROUND WITH OUR SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM.
CALLING ALL BOOMERS TO SEND A MESSAGE TO WASHINGTON
“SOSS” “SAVE OUR SOCIAL SECURITY” I WANT YOU!
URGE YOUR CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS AND PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES TO PRESERVE THE SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUND! BECAUSE TO US BOOMERS/SENIORS,
“ITS NOT AN ENTITLEMENT—ITS EARNED!” DON’T MESS WITH SS! YOUR NEVER TOO OLD TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Show Your Support & Take the Poll at www.TheAmericanBoomeR.com 22 Today’s BoomeR
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