50+Living MAY 2022

50+Living of Western NC

A Healthy Outside

Starts On The Inside

Crunchy Ginger

Green Bean Salad 50pluslivingWNC.com

In-Home Care:

Who Do You Call?

May 2022

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50+ Living | May 2022

Arden 4 Long Shoals Rd. 828-333-4366 Woodfin 50 N. Merrimon Ave. 828-210-9544

Fletcher 3445 Hendersonville Rd. 828-376-3711

May 2022 | 50+ Living

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

5 How to Avoid Phone Scams

8 Women Making Music

by Peggy Ratusz

10 The Life of a Vegetable

11 Crunchy Ginger Green Bean Salad

12 I Can See Clearly Now

14 I Can’t Hear You

16 A Healthy Outside Starts on the Inside

18 In-Home Care: Who Do You Call

by Dow Stick

20 Just Be Your Beautiful Self

22 What Happens at the Dog Park Stays at the Dog Park

50+Living of Western NC

How to Avoid

Phone Scams

It’s all to catch you off guard and get you to share your personal information like bank or credit card information and details like your birthdate or Social Security Number. That’s why knowing how to spot a scam and how to protect yourself and your personal information is so important.

Here are five easy steps to protect yourself: • Don’t let yourself be pressured into giving information over the phone.

Keep personal information and passcodes private and never give it out during an unsolicited phone call.

hat do you do when your cell phone rings?

If you automatically answer whether you recognize the caller or not, you aren’t alone.

But, chances are good that the person on the other end may be a scammer looking to trick you into giving out personal information.

W

• Don’t download any “troubleshooting” apps because they’ll allow the fraudster to take over your device.

Vishing (or voice phishing) involves scammers calling you on your phone and phishing (fishing) for information.

Vishers impersonate banks, credit card companies or government officials, say they represent a charity or call you with too-good-to-be-true offers. Experts even predict vishing calls will make up almost half of all cell phone calls in the near future.

• Educate yourself about common scam practices. For example, the IRS will never ask for payments over the phone, as well as won’t ask for payment in cash, gift cards, wire transfers or your debit/credit card information. They generally reach out through the mail before they call.

“Impersonators, also known as ‘Vishers’, are getting creative about how they obtain access to financial accounts. They’ll often pressure you for personal information, passcodes or ask to take over your mobile device by posing as your bank and telling you there is fraud on your account,” said Chip Kohlweiler, Senior Vice President of Security at Navy Federal Credit Union.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and others have identified several common angles that scammers like to use, such as impersonating a government agency, debt relief and credit repair, extended car warranties and prize wins, among others.

• If you think a call might really be from your bank, insurance or credit card company, find their phone number on your statement or card and call that number.

• Some phone providers and many smartphones have call-blocking tools that’ll allow you to block calls from undesirable numbers. If you get a scam call, block the number.

“Never share your one-time passcodes with anyone especially over the phone unless you placed the call to the known number. Be skeptical of requests like this and call the number on your statement to speak to a representative,” added Kohlweiler.

Ultimately, the goal is to keep your personal information and financial accounts secure. With these tips in mind, you can avoid falling victim to fraud.

Navy Federal is federally insured by NCUA.

(BPT)

May 2022 | 50+ Living

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50+Living of Western NC

PUBLISHER Tammy Sheppard tsheppard.avlmedia@gmail.com GRAPHIC ARTIST Joan Hutt WEB DESIGN Alphie Hyorth CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Peggy Ratusz Laurie Richardone ADVERTISING INQUIRIES Mike Demos 828.273.0098 mikedemos@aol.com Bridget Hepler 828.551.9893 brisdon00@gmail.com

AVL Media Inc. P.O. Box 18416 | Asheville, NC 28814

828.230.7537

h All advertising published in 50+Living of Western NC is believed to be truthful and accurate. However AVL Media, Inc. assumes no responsibility and shall have no liability whatsoever for errors, including without limitation, typographical errors or omissions in 50+Living of Western NC. Any reference made to AVL Media, Inc. is not to be construed as making any representation, warranty or guarantee concerning the information on properties advertised in 50+Living of Western NC. The content of all ads contained herein are solely the responsibility of the advertiser. The opinions and statements contained in advertising or elsewhere in this publication are those of the authors of such opinions and are not necessarily those of AVL Media, Inc. AVL Media, Inc. reserves the right to edit or refuse any advertising submitted to this publication

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50+ Living | May 2022

May 2022 | 50+ Living

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Women Making Music Spotlight on Singer/Songwriter, Kathryn O’Shea

By Peggy Ratusz

Photography by Chelsea Denien few years back I was asked by the music director of our local all-female choir, Womansong, to join them for a special concert of the season. I was to sing alongside Kathryn O’Shea, the daughter of the choir’s accompanist, Lytingale. From our first embrace, we became kindred songsisters and getting to know her better over the years has been delightful.

A

How/Why did you decide to become a songwriter?

For this interview, I sent Ms. O’Shea a series of questions; and it pains me to have had to edit out so much of her rich and inspiring take on life, song and music. I encourage you to visit her music pages on bandcamp

Because my mother was constantly writing songs, I never questioned how to write a song; it wasn’t a mystery to me; but when I started playing banjo at 17, the songs truly started flowing. I walked away from acting and decided to put all my energy into a career as a singer/songwriter. I came home to myself.

https://kathrynoshea.bandcamp.com/ or support her through her patreon page here: https://www.patreon.com/kathrynosheamusic and to keep up with her music schedule here: https://www.facebook.com/oshea5256/music Talk about your back story.

I was born in Asheville and raised in Mills River. My parents ran a new-thought church together in Mills River so I learned very young how to put on a show. My brother Michael is a musician/producer too. The first time I sang into a microphone I was 4 years old at a Halloween party.

Mom says she ushered me on stage, handed me the mic and then ran to start the tape I was supposed to sing along to.

Before she could push play I started singing a cappella, pitch perfect (so she says) and didn’t stop until the end.

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I was writing songs before I picked up an instrument and it was long after that I decided to be a songwriter. I pursued theater and puppetry until I was 25. Oddly, I realized the theater lifestyle didn’t suit me, at the same time I realized I had an album’s worth of original songs written.

Tell us about your writing process.

When something noteworthy happens in my life, the logical next step is to write a song about it. Singing and songwriting has always been a reliable, deeply therapeutic undercurrent in my life. It’s important to notice the parts of life that flow effortlessly, understanding that those undercurrents make a person who they are.

When I write, I am typically deep in some feelings or experiencing a moment of clarity about something that has been weighing heavy on my heart, and the song itself serves as a little love note or reminder.

I sit down with an instrument and come up with a simple, repetitive instrumental part that I can loop on repeat without thinking about it. Then I hit “record” and start

singing. Whatever comes out is illuminating and helps clarify what words or ideas are simmering inside, ready to come out.

people through my songs has been a life force that keeps me going when imposter syndrome wants to tell me that I have nothing important or original to say.

When I wrote the lines “Couple of good friends tell me that it’s gonna be okay, so hell, might as well believe those things they say“ in my song “Sunflower,” no big traumatic event had occurred, I just felt I might crumble under the pressure of, well….all of it. I’ve learned to reach out to my friends to see myself through their eyes.

You re entl relea e a ingle ro u e an arrange our u Lee D er oul ou talk a out the in iration ehin riting it

Talk about practicing and singing.

I’ve been asked “how do you learn to sing runs like that?”

I obsess and polish them for hours on end. I listen to my favorite singers while I do the dishes and throw the kitchen window open on warm days. I sing what feels good; I emulate tones or copy difficult parts that are out of my comfort zone. Songs that used to feel above my skill set have become approachable.

I live in an apartment above some businesses and neighbors hear me when I do this and when I went to a restaurant on my block, the cook came out with my to-go box and said “is that you upstairs, singing all those crazy scales all the time?

We can hear you when we take our smoke break in the alley, and we love it!” hat o ou n vocalist?

om elling

hen li tening to a

The most compelling part of any vocal performance boils down to tapping into your own natural voice. Singers can fall into the trap of mimicking vocal tones that don’t suit their anatomy which can lead to vocal fatigue. As listeners we can intuitively feel when a singer is fighting their voice versus when they are working with it. As a vocal coach, I tell my students to focus on feeling, rather than the sound.

There’s a balance. I learn about my own voice by listening to and mimicking other artists. For me those singers are Yebba, Lianne La Havas, and Eryn Allen Kane. I have learned the most from my mom who is a brilliant vocalist.

Talk a out hat it eel like to e on tage haring our ong an hat kee ou ur uing o ortunitie to o o Music and lyrics are therapy. Sources of enormous fear and shame have dissipated when I find the courage to express them in a song. It’s magical expressing my vulnerability onstage. The act of putting something traumatic into words and speaking the truth of it into a microphone takes the power away from that particular scar. These feelings are universal and relatable! Listeners say things like “your music makes me feel seen and less alone;” the greatest compliment I could hope to receive. Receiving this validation, reaching

Yes!! Snakeskin is essentially a call to action, to remind the listener of the necessity to liberate ourselves from the prison of our own shame. “Free your head, free your head!”

When I began writing this song, I had done much work on myself. During the shut-down, I used the time to prune and revitalize nearly every major element of my world; my surroundings, my coping mechanisms, my approach to relationships.

It was emotional heavy lifting, but I felt stronger every step of the way. Still, no matter how many positive changes I made, a deep self-loathing lingered like a black cloud so that’s why I wrote, ‘I’m praying to escape the shame of a skin no longer mine.’ That’s where it started. I knew I’d shed the skin that no longer served me. But the feelings of insufficiency continued to cling to me. It wasn’t until I got farther into writing the piece when I learned something about snakes: when snakes shed their skin, they free their head first. They know the rest of the body is primed and ready for renewal too, but instinctively they start by freeing their head. I was struck, yet again, by the poetry of our natural world. hat an au ien e e er orman e

e t to e

erien e at a

For the first time, I am working on full band arrangements for all my songs! This is a goal I’ve been loosely working towards while simultaneously performing solo. I’ll have multi-instrumentalists, Laura Boswell and Patrick French on board who are outrageously skilled creatives and dear friends. My mom will help us flesh out some juicy 4-part harmonies. Lee Dyer will make guest appearances on trumpet.

So for upcoming shows, like our premier at LEAF Retreat in Black Mountain this May I won’t be alone. Performing at LEAF Retreat has been a goal of mine since I first started attending the festival as a little one. I thought it would take longer, but here we are! The gratitude for all that is happening and about to happen for me musically, is overwhelming. And I’ll have my friends with me which brings joy I can hardly describe.

Peggy Ratusz is a vocal coach, song interpreter, and songwriter.

For vocal coaching email her at peggymarie43@gmail.com May 2022 | 50+ Living

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The Life of a Vegetable

by Laurie Richardone

Have you ever thought about what a vegetable has to go through to arrive on your plate? We might have a greater appreciation for these Living treasures if we did!

They start from a tiny seed, much like we do, with the hope of being healthy, growing into something that will contribute to the world, much like us. Then it moves all around the world, altered to please, adaptes to all kinds of circumstances, again, much like we do. Our lives are enriched because of these living edibles. Vegetables are composed of energy, much like we are. I like to think of those nurturing living things that grow in the ground, kindred spirits.

My passion lies in connecting people to the food they eat, its source and its history. This has long been my enthusiastic mission: and writing is one way to reveal the deeper culture of seasonal food, and hopefully dust you with some inspiration .

Vegetables are important for human health because of their vitamins, minerals, phytochemical compounds, and dietary fiber content.

Studies have shown that a diet rich in vegetables and fruits can lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, and miraculously, prevent some types of cancer.

If that isn’t enough, plants have the potential to heal digestive problems, and have a positive effect upon blood sugar, which can help keep appetite in check.

cream cheese,or pancetta that has the capacity to create the perfect carbonara.

There is always something to learn from the people around us, like there is always something to learn about the magical plants that gently push their way through their mother… The Earth.

Cultivating a reverence for ingredients, and the creativity of putting them together by human hands and heart to make something that tastes really really good. The value of cultivating awareness and finding moments of gratification, and appreciation as we prepare — or even contemplate — something as simple as a cabbage.

This is a life well spent: Both for the vegetables and for us.

To your good health To receive a complimentary Ebook - food for gut-health and daily energy, visit LaurieRichardone.com

But let’s be honest, food has to taste good. The great news is chefs and home cooks alike are making vegetables delicious by approaching, say, a cauliflower with the same culinary imagination that they would otherwise apply to a Mexican short-rib braise.

Dozens of chefs are rapidly turning vegetables into something to live for.

If you are a curious cook, join me on my Podcast A taste for All Seasons

We know so much more about plants than we used to, about what they provide for us, which is a whole lot, including protein plus nutrients that aren’t found in meats.

You can listen to all the shows, on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and Google Podcast. We talk to local farmers, and wellness experts, where you can learn how to cook your way through the seasons.

That said, I am unlikely ever to completely give up applewood breakfast bacon, if it’s on the menu, or melt in your mouth smoked salmon on a Gluten- free bagel with

Laurie Richardone is a seasonal gluten free chef and certified health coach. To work with Laurie, visit LaurieRichardone.com

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50+ Living | May 2022

It is a cooking, cultural, and inspirational way for us to explore the world of food. And… as always, l will share a seasonal recipe, cooking tips, and kitchen essentials that will inspire you in the kitchen.

All recipes at laurierichardone.com

Crunchy Ginger

GREEN BEAN SALAD A crunchy warm salad, full of complementing flavors.

Delicious on its own: or with my almond crusted tofu & shiitake mushrooms.

Serves 4 Blanching The Beans

Ingredients 1 pound green beans, trimmed 1 tsp. grated ginger 1 tbsp. grated lemongrass, white part only (optional) 1 tsp. garlic, minced 1 small shallot, minced 1/8 tsp. red pepper flakes 1 lime, juiced, or to taste 1/2 -1 1/2 tsp. sea salt , some for blanching beans 1 tbsp. fish sauce (optional) 2 tbsp. toasted sesame oil, more for drizzling 1/2 cup salted toasted almonds,chopped

In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add 1 tsp. salt. Add beans and cook for 4-5 minutes. Tender but firm. Drain beans and set aside.

Preparing The Sauce In a non-stick pan on low to medium heat add 2 tbsp. sesame oil. Add minced shallot, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, and red pepper flakes. In 2 minutes add fish oil and lime juice. Add a pinch of salt.

Assembly Add the beans to the pan and coat with the sauce.

Put everything in a medium bowl. Add cilantro, almonds,and lime juice to taste. Toss well. Taste for seasoning. Drizzle sesame oil over the salad. Top with more almonds.

1/2 cup cilantro,chopped

Laurie Richardone is a seasonal gluten free chef and certified health coach.

To work with Laurie, visit LaurieRichardone.com May 2022 | 50+ Living

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I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW The Pain Is Gone

M

ore than half the adults in the United States wear contact lenses or glasses to correct their vision. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a whopping 45 million people choose contacts. Contact lenses, which today include more comfortable materials and advanced technologies, are a great choice and patients prize the comfort and convenience of not having to wear glasses to achieve clear vision. But what happens when wearing contacts becomes a source of discomfort?

Contact lens discomfort, like irritation, burning, dryness and grittiness, can be part of the experience with contact lens intolerance, which can start even if you’ve comfortably worn contact lenses for many years.

A common misconception is that these symptoms are a normal part of wearing contacts and should be tolerated.

However, If your eyes or lenses are uncomfortable or you are not seeing well, it’s important to talk to an eye doctor who can conduct an exam to determine the source of irritation when wearing contact lenses.

“Wearing contacts should generally be a comfortable experience,” says John Doane, M.D., cornea and refractive surgeon at Discover Vision and member of the Refractive Surgery Council editorial advisory board. “Things like stinging, pain, swelling, dryness or feeling like there’s something in your eye are not normal and could be signs of a condition we call contact lens intolerance. It’s important to speak with an eye doctor to determine the cause and take appropriate action so you can see clearly without discomfort.”

HOW TO SPEAK WITH YOUR EYE DOCTOR

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The Refractive Surgery Council, which helps people make informed decisions about vision correction options, recommends noting when you experience discomfort and logging how long you are wearing your lenses each day.

Gathering this information, along with the following, will help you be ready when you speak with your doctor and find the right solution for you:

What are your symptoms and how often do they occur?

When did they start?

also consider asking if you are a candidate for a vision correction procedure.

Are there specific environments or activities that trigger symptoms?

Today there is a spectrum of treatments available for different types of vision problems which means more people are candidates for laser vision correction procedures, including LASIK, SMILE and PRK. For those who are not good candidates for LASIK, the SMILE procedure, the most recent FDA-approved laser vision correction procedure which stands for Small Incision Lenticule Extraction, may be an option for patients with nearsightedness and astigmatism. The bottom line is, with the many ways to see clearly without relying on glasses and contacts available today, your vision correction choices warrant a conversation with your eye doctor.

What are you doing to help manage your symptoms?

Options for relief “Many people try home remedies to reduce these symptoms, such as warm compresses, eye drops or limiting contact wear to a few hours at a time. This might provide temporary relief but is not a lasting solution.

These symptoms shouldn’t be ignored. In some cases, alternative approaches can allow a patient to continue to wear contacts but about 6 million people in the U.S. discontinued contact lenses last year due to intolerance,” said the Kansas City-based Dr. Doane.

In addition to answering your eye doctor’s questions, your appointment is an important time to discuss your vision correction options. Inquire if your eyes are healthy enough to continue wearing contact lenses and what steps you need to take to keep them healthy. You might

Don’t a e t e e i om ort Your vision is an invaluable sense, impacting how you see and interact with the world. If you are experiencing discomfort wearing contacts, make an appointment to speak with your eye doctor today. To learn more about eye health, contact lens intolerance and more, visit AmericanRefractiveSurgeryCouncil.org/blog.

(BPT)

May 2022 | 50+ Living

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every day, and how you can protect your hearing.

I Can’t

Hear You!

Home projects Tools around the home, including lawn mowers, leaf blowers and power tools, can be about 90-112 dB. This is considered a dangerous noise, especially when you use them for long periods of time. Because home projects can take hours to complete, it’s best to play it safe and protect your hearing.

Live music events

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id you know hearing trouble is the third most common chronic health condition? According to the CDC, about 40 million Americans between 20 and 69 experience noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in one or both ears. The CDC reports that noise above 70 decibels (dB) over a prolonged period may start damaging your hearing, and noise above 120 dB can cause immediate harm.

Not sure what decibel level you’re experiencing? Here’s an easy rule of thumb: If you have to shout to hear conversation, it’s too loud.

Because hearing loss occurs over time, people exposed to loud noise earlier in life may not experience the resulting hearing loss until later in life.

“More and more employers are taking hearing protection seriously,” said Thiago Zambotti, vice president and general manager, General Safety, Honeywell Personal Protective Equipment. “It’s becoming increasingly common for older people to suffer from hearing loss but that damage is being done many years earlier. This is largely preventable if you take steps to protect yourself.”

Here are common noise hazards you may encounter

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When music is played for large audiences, the noise level is increased to about 110-130 dB. Even smaller venues using amplification can be dangerously loud. This is why you may have experienced sensations such as ringing ears after an event. Listening to music at this volume for over an hour causes hearing loss, which is why musicians struggle with hearing loss more than most other people.

Exercise classes Fitness trainers often blast music to pump up everyone for the workout. Loud music in a small room can be about 80-116 dB, which increases everyone’s risk of hearing loss the longer they’re exposed to it. You may also be endangering yourself by using earbuds to listen to loud music while working out, jogging or biking.

Boating/driving/motorcycle riding When driving with loud music, you may not realize the damage it’s causing, but wind noise can also be dangerous.

If you’re boating, wind noise alone can be about 80-100 dB, on top of engine noise that may reach anywhere from 70-90 dB. According to the American Academy of Audiology, individuals driving with car windows down for more than an hour daily are three times as likely to have hearing loss. Motorcycle riders are exposed to engine

noise that can reach up to 100 dB or more, in addition to wind noise.

Work environments Some jobs are recognized for needing hearing protection, including factory work, construction and transportation.

If you work in one of these fields, make full use of hearing protection your company provides. However, many other jobs may require more hearing protection than is realized. People who work in a music venue or run a fitness class, plus farmers, mechanics, ambulance drivers/EMTs, police officers and firefighters, are also at risk. According to WebMD, other occupations showing a higher level of hearing loss include teaching and food service (noisy classrooms, diners and restaurant kitchens).

“Unlike most other occupational injuries, noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is pain-free, invisible, usually gradual, and so often goes unnoticed until the damage is done,” said Zambotti. “Although it’s the most prevalent occupational disease in the world, NIHL is preventable, if wearing the right protection.”

How to protect yourself: Wear high-quality hearing protection that fits well, such as protective earplugs or earmuffs.

Take “quiet breaks”.

Shorten the duration of your noise exposure.

Use power tools and equipment outside when possible.

Turn music down and if exercising, consider boneconduction headphones, a Bluetooth helmet or taking one ear bud out.

Because hearing loss occurs over time, limit incidents of exposure to overly loud environments as much as possible.

Visit Honeywell.com to learn more about hearing loss and products to protect you.

(BPT)

May 2022 | 50+ Living

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A Healthy Outside Starts On The Inside

E

ating well and exercising regularly are key components of a healthy lifestyle. Rather than thinking of these two efforts independently, it’s important to understand the connection between eating and exercise so you can maximize your workouts and feel your best.

Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist Dalina Soto shares tips on how to prioritize your wellness, with a focus on maintaining a well-balanced diet with plenty of water and wholesome foods that support your exercise routine: Stay properly hydrated Proper hydration fuels the body and mind while curbing hunger pangs. Hydration is especially important when you exercise because the more you move, the more water your body needs to replenish.

A smart first step is to keep a water container nearby all day as a reminder to sip regularly. When working out, bring a source of hydration with you. While sports drinks provide hydration, they also typically have a lot of sugar, so it is best to stick to plain H20.

Eat a wholesome breakfast Many people like to work out in the morning, but before you move your body, it is important to eat breakfast first.

Set your alarm so you can eat an hour or more before working out. This helps ensure you have energy for your workout and enough time to digest food to avoid an upset stomach.

Some ideas for a quick and healthy breakfast include whole-grain cereals, fruit, yogurt and eggs. When choosing eggs, consider Eggland’s Best eggs, as they contain double the Vitamin B12 compared to ordinary eggs to fuel your workout with a boost of energy. They also have six times more Vitamin D and more than double the Omega-3s, which aid in muscle recovery and help support strong bones.

Don’t over o oo or

ater

Food and water can help you feel your best during a workout, but if you eat or drink too much before working out, you may feel sluggish or experience indigestion. This can negatively impact your exercise.

Good guidelines for eating pre-workout include enjoying 16

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larger meals three or four hours before and smaller meals at least one hour before. Light snacks can be OK right before a workout but pay attention to how your body feels because everyone is unique.

Snack post-workout Eating after your workout is essential to help your body recover and your muscles heal. Nutrient-dense snacks are a smart choice such as a protein smoothie, nut butter on whole grain crackers or pretzels with hummus.

Another satisfying option that combines many nutritious foods is deviled egg boats that can be made ahead and enjoyed all week. The Crispy BLT Deviled Egg Boats below are packed with protein and vitamins, making them the ideal pre or post-workout snack to keep your body energized before and aid in recovery after.

CRISPY BLT DEVILED EGG BOATS Prep time: 20 minutes; Cook time: 5 minutes; Makes 12 servings

INGREDIENTS Crispy garlic crumbs: 4 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil, divided use 1 clove garlic, mashed with fork 1/8 teaspoon sea salt 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs Egg filling: 8 eggs, hard-cooked or Hard-Cooked Peeled Eggs, divided 2 tablespoons very soft butter, divided use 2 1/2 tablespoons mayonnaise 1/2 teaspoon yellow mustard 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1/4 teaspoon sea salt 1/8 teaspoon freshly cracked pepper 1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped sundried tomatoes (not oil-packed) 1 tablespoon minced pickled jalapeños (regular or tamed, or minced dill pickles if preferred) 1 teaspoon white vinegar 12 inner romaine heart leaves 1/2 cup crumbled crisply-cooked bacon 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

Directions Heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil until simmering in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Remove from heat and stir in garlic and salt; let stand for 10 minutes. Return pan to medium heat and add breadcrumbs, folding until wellcoated. Toast until golden brown, stirring and watching to prevent burning; this will take about 3 minutes.

Scrape crumbs onto a large plate to cool; wipe out skillet, reserving for further use.

Slice 6 hard-cooked eggs in half lengthwise and remove the yolks to a large plate. Smash yolks with a fork until very smooth and scrape into a medium bowl. Stir in 1 tablespoon of the butter, mayonnaise, mustard, Worcestershire, salt, pepper, tomatoes and jalapenos, blending thoroughly. Stuff into cavities of egg whites and smooth the top with a butter knife to make an even covering of filling over the entire flat surface (there will be extra filling; reserve it.) On the same plate where the yolks were smashed, coarsely chop and finely smash the remaining 2 hard-cooked eggs. Fold into the reserved excess filling, add vinegar and remaining butter and set mixture aside.

Place flat sides of stuffed eggs on top of the crispy garlic crumbs, coating well and leaving on a plate until all are coated (do not coat rounded sides.) Return the large skillet to medium heat and brush remaining 2 teaspoons of olive oil over the pan bottom. When hot, place all eggs in the skillet, crumb side down, and fry until browned, about 2 minutes. Remove the pan from heat.

Cut ends from romaine leaves to make 5-inch long ‘boats.’

Spoon and spread the remaining filling mixture over bottom lengths of romaine boats and arrange on a serving platter. Sprinkle crumbled bacon over the filling and top with a crisped egg; sprinkle with chives.

(BPT)

May 2022 | 50+ Living

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In-Home Care: Who Do You Call?

A

s a nurse practitioner making house calls during the coronavirus pandemic, I passed numerous homemade yard signs imploring us to check on our neighbors. I witnessed such altruism in action as folks left groceries on doorsteps or took pent up dogs for walks on behalf of those homebound. The limiting or shutdown of in-person services because of the virus’ transmission risk compromised access to care for everyone but particularly for our older community members. When this population needs assistance at home, family and friends often fill in the gaps. It’s important therefore to identify who to call when someone’s care requirements change abruptly or surpass even our best neighborly efforts.

Home Health Care Home health agencies send licensed or certified health care professionals to the home. These include skilled nurses, nurse aides and social workers plus physical, 18

50+ Living | May 2022

occupational and speech therapies. A life-altering event like a stroke, traumatic fall or chronic wound are just a few examples of what this team addresses. Initiating this type of care requires a medical provider’s order and then the home health company bills a person’s health insurance. The services are not permanent and do not provide 24/7 caregivers but therapies can be re-ordered periodically as needs arise.

Home Hospice Care Hospice is a Medical benefit that provides medical services at the end of life. Most private insurances also cover this type of care. A person must have a life expectancy of six months or less as determined by one’s medical provider(s). People often don’t elect hospice care until the last days of life when in fact the support can give life-affirming care for much longer. The hospice team includes a registered nurse, licensed social worker, a chaplain, a nurse’s aide and even music therapy. The

care is delivered wherever the person resides whether in a private home, group home, assisted living or skilled nursing facility. Hospice staff is available by phone 24/7 and if around the clock care is required, inpatient hospice units can offer this for a limited time.

Private Duty Care For those with long-term care insurance or who can afford to pay out-of-pocket, there are private duty services. These agencies provide skilled nursing, certified nursing aides or personal aide/companion level care at an hourly rate. A registered nurse often does the initial evaluation to determine what is needed. A doctor’s order isn’t necessary nor is a specific diagnosis or condition required for enrollment. This care can be ongoing depending on a person’s funds. Regular health insurance does not typically pay for private duty care.

Geriatric care managers are an important example of privately paid, in-home assistance. Care managers are usually nurses or social workers by training and offer expert advice about local health care resources. They are invaluable in times of transition such as when an older adult is new to an area or has had a change in overall health status.

Area Agencies on Aging Many cities and counties have collaborative councils committed to serving older adults. A wealth of programming exists through these agencies, and it is best to call or go online for specific information. An intake interview is usually free and may connect a person with local resources until a more comprehensive plan can be formulated with the person’s family, medical team or social services.

Department of Social Services Community members should not hesitate to call upon Adult Protective Services or APS through their local Department of Social Services. These professionals are often experienced social workers who investigate cases of neglect or abuse that are threatening an adult’s safety and well-being. Neighbors or family may fear they are “getting people in trouble” or that they themselves will be held accountable for the difficulties at hand, when in fact, exposing what is wrong may be the only way to improve a dire situation. Reports to APS can be made anonymously and caseworkers look to keep adults in

their home. Examples of assistance include referrals to medical or mental health care, housing repairs, food programs and caregiver funds.

A sincere thank you to all organizations and professionals who provided and continue to offer inperson services and care despite the threat of COVID-19.

D. Dow Stick MSN, APRN, NP-C is a certified family nurse practitioner and freelance medical writer. writenursedow@gmail.com May 2022 | 50+ Living

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Just Be Your

Beautiful Self

Those with the means can create any look they want.

Some people opt for fillers, Botox, or even cosmetic surgery. Keeping your hairstyle and wardrobe current is easy. So is having your nails and eyebrows groomed regularly. Anybody with sufficient disposable income can look beautiful according to the conventions of contemporary society.

Good beauty and grooming standards are only a part of what it means to be sincerely attractive. What is more, not everybody finds conventional beauty standards lovely. Some people find contemporary standards of beauty too generic and uniform. They prefer a natural, more laid-back look.

Love Yourself If you want to be liked and loved by others, you must first love yourself. Self-love has nothing to do with arrogant behavior. Instead, it means you should love and accept yourself despite all of your imperfections. When you can admit, tolerate, and laugh at your personality flaws while simultaneously working on them, you have learned selflove.

It sounds simple, but true self-love takes honesty and introspection. Acknowledging and loving your shadow self is not as easy as it sounds. However, healthy self-love is more attractive than the hottest new haircut could ever be.

Have Good Posture

D

o you sometimes ask yourself what you can do to enhance your attractiveness? Do you spend a lot of money on products and services to make yourself more attractive? This article will tell you what people often consider charming, and it is not all about your looks.

Beauty and Grooming Where beauty and grooming are concerned, anything is possible if you have the funds. The beauty industry is worth billions. The same is true of the fashion industry.

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How you carry yourself when standing, walking, and sitting has a bearing on your overall attractiveness level.

If you make sure your spine is always straight, your shoulders are back, and your head is held high, you will give the appearance of having healthy self-esteem, even if that is not the case. Conversely, if your posture is stooped, others might perceive this as an indication of insecurity and timidity.

Make Eye Contact If you want others to think you are striking, do not be afraid to look them in the eye now and again when conversing with them. Making eye contact when communicating fosters trust. However, try to avoid overdoing it. Never stare someone directly in the eye and refuse to look away. Eye contact is usually intermittent, not constant.

Educate Yourself Widely If you have a wide range of conversation topics, people are more likely to perceive you as interesting rather than dull. To have a wide range of subjects to talk about, you have to discover more about them. Never stop educating yourself on topics of interest, finding out more about the world, and trying to learn as much as you can about many things.

Have Plenty of Interests Go out and explore the world. Find hobbies and interests that you enjoy. People who go places with wide-ranging interests are attractive because they have active lives rather than empty ones. They also have a lot of conversation topics. If you never go anywhere or do anything, you cannot be surprised if others find you forgettable.

Have Aspirations What do you dream of doing in your life? What steps are you taking to accomplish your goals? Having ambitions and aspirations conveys that you are trying to better yourself and evolve rather than merely existing and stagnating. Having no aspirations may give the impression that you do not care about yourself or the world around you very much.

a little shallow. After all, there is much more to life than being thought charming and appealing.

Be Yourself If you want others to think you are attractive, it is sensible to be yourself instead of trying to be someone else or blend in with the herd. People who fearlessly show their individuality without being overly concerned about the opinions of others often seem very appealing and fun to be around. Do not worry about other people thinking you are strange. Ask yourself if it is better to be weird or boring.

Beauty Is in The Eye of the Beholder In the end, someone will find you alluring, or they will not. Everybody has a unique taste when it comes to what is appealing. People having unique preferences is positive.

After all, everyone looks different, and nobody has a personality exactly like someone else’s. If some individuals do not consider you alluring, try not to lose sleep over it because other people will. When you hear people say that there is someone for everyone, believe them. You would have to have an utterly horrific character for everyone on the planet to find you unattractive.

Do Not Compete Competing with others will ultimately make you feel less than. When you feel insecure, others pick up on it because of how you communicate. For instance, if you lack confidence, you might ask your date if another person in the room is more attractive than you. This question will immediately tell your date that you are second-guessing yourself. It may put them off you.

As long as you compete with other people over things, you will not be confident or happy simply because there will always be someone you consider better than you. If you want to feel confident and enjoy peace of mind, only ever compete with yourself.

Stop Worrying About How Attractive You Are Personal insecurities may make you worry about how alluring you are to others. However, constantly worrying about being attractive can cause others to see you as being May 2022 | 50+ Living

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What Happens at the Dog Park

Stays at the Dog Park

D

og parks are great playgrounds, and they’re designed specifically for dogs and their humans to get exercise and have fun. They give dogs the chance to get outside, run, play, and socialize with other dogs in a way they can’t do in a city.

doesn’t respond well to you and there’s no fence to keep them inside, the consequences could be tragic. Search for fenced dog parks in your area by going to a site such as BringFido.com. Know your options and which parks are fenced and which aren’t.

Why should you take your pup to a dog park? With rates of dog obesity rising, a dog park keeps your fur baby active. Nothing beats chasing after a tennis ball or another dog at full speed. Dogs love to run and when they get the chance to run around in an open space, they are happier and healthier.

emove Your Dog’ Lea h Park

Dog parks are a chance for your dog to socialize with other pups. Plus, you can interact with other dog owners.

Everyone wins! Don’t be surprised if you make a few human and dog friends at your local dog park.

But the most important thing to do when you’re at a dog park is to keep your pup safe. Let’s look at some ways to keep your pooch happy and safe at a dog park.

Choose a Fenced-In Dog Park Many dog parks are fenced in, so you can let your dog run freely without them running away or running into a road. Non-fenced dog parks are riskier. If your dog 22

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on ntering the

Make sure your dog is on a leash when moving from the car to the park entranceway. You wouldn’t want your unleashed dog to run off or get hit by a car before they even get into the park. But once you enter the park, remove your dog’s leash immediately. Dogs can be aggressive toward a dog wearing a leash, and a fight could start. Plus, your dog feels less able to fend off other dogs when they’re wearing a leash. Anyway, the whole point is to give your dog some freedom to play. ake ure Your Dog

e

on

to You

Don’t take your dog to a dog park until they’re trained well enough to respond to you. Teach your dog to sit and stay before their first trip to the dog park and make sure they respond when you call their name. As soon as you notice a problem or disruption, remove your dog from the park immediately and away from the volatile

situation. Remember that most conflicts occur because of poor training and supervision. Make sure your dog has basic training and is responsive before their first trip to a dog park.

Make Sure Your Dog Is Tagged and Chipped Make sure your dog is tagged and microchipped before visiting a dog park. Tags are a way to identify your dog should they escape. Imagine the trauma of dealing with your dog running off without a tag and the uncertainty of whether you’ll find them. Research shows between 11 and 16 percent of dogs are lost or go missing at least once in a five-year period.

Also, microchip your dog. Microchipping is a more permanent form of identification. It’s a tiny chip, roughly the size of a grain of rice, inserted under the skin between your dog’s shoulder blades. Animal control or a veterinarian can scan the chip to find out who owns a pet. And because it’s implanted in your pet and not tied to any one collar or tag, it can’t fall off or be removed by someone else. It’s an extra layer of reassurance should your dog escape while entering or leaving the dog park.

Bring Water If your dog is a bit timid, make sure it has water at all times. Dogs can be dehydrated quickly when playing with other dogs (especially if they are young and full of energy). Some dogs have water fountains and bowls for dogs but don’t count on it. Be smart and bring your own.

The Bottom Line Enjoy the dog park with your dog but do it safely by following these tips.

References: LosPetResearch.com. “Lost Pet Statistics” “5 Health Risks Lurking at the Dog Park - Vetstreet.” 29 May. 2015, vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/5-health-risks-lurking-at-the-dog-park.

Make Sure Your Dog is Fully Vaccinated If you don’t know your dog’s vaccination status, get them looked at by a vet before you put them in a park. Talk to your vet about canine booster shots that can help protect your dog from diseases it may encounter in the park. If you aren’t sure about vaccination status, it’s best to wait until you’ve visited your veterinarian. Kennel cough and canine influenza are two illnesses your dog can catch at a dog park. Plus, your dog should have proof that it’s up to date with its rabies vaccines. If your dog bites another dog or human and isn’t up to date, your dog may be taken from you for quarantine.

Don’t Leave Your Dog Alone at a Dog Park Some people take their pooch to a dog park and leave them to play while the owner sits in the car or runs an errand. Not smart! You’re responsible for your dog’s behavior while they’re at a dog park. Plus, your dog could escape from the park or get into a fight with another dog at the park while you’re missing in action. There are risks to your pet and potential liability issues associated with this practice. Plus, your dog feels more comfortable when you’re there.

May 2022 | 50+ Living

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