Today's Boomer Vol.3 No.6 November/December 2014

s ’ y a d o T Vol.3 No.6

Boomer Healthy Eating:

Holiday Favorites with a Twist

The Holiday Issue

Boomer Travel Up & Coming Retirement Spots for 2015

Entertain with Ease!

15 Simple Dinner Party Ideas

Social Security: 1.7% Benefit Increase in 2015

F– Being Old Just Say “No” 2 Kabuki for the Holidays!

Today’s BoomeR Featuring The Only B2B -Business 2 BoomeR Marketplace!

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This Issue Holiday Issue 2014 Volume 3, Number 6

Boomer Travel

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Up & Coming Retirement Spots for 2015

Founders: John Vardallas & Alexandra Maragha

Biggest Federal Tax Income 8 Changes in 2015

Editor-In-Chief: Alexandra Maragha

Social Security

10

1.7 Benefit Increase to You

11

Boomer Healthy Eating

15

Holiday Favorites with a Twist

18

Just Say No 2 Kabuki for the Holidays!

B2B Marketplace

Bob Trotter: Social Security Chef Eben Atwater: Healthy Eating Advertising: Team

15 Simple Dinner Party Ideas

New Blog: F-Being Old

Contributing Writers :

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Business 2 Boomers Marketplace

For Letters to the Editor, articles and feedback as well as advertising inquiries email Alexandra@TheAmericanBoomeR.com

The American BoomeR.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.3 No.6 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.

The American Boomer @American_Boomer Today’s BoomeR 3

EDITOR’S LETTER

’s

Today

Simply New in the New Year It’s the time of year where warm feelings are felt among the change and new beginnings brought by crisp and cold. Where togetherness, understanding and acceptance prevail as the best qualities and measures to give to others while engaging and seeking happiness, friendship, cheer and spreading love.

With pressures of the everyday lifted for (feature) p. take 10 advantage to simplify your holiday fun, life in everyway. Simplify your relationships to leave misunderstandings, miscommunication and misconceptions aside. Simplify your moments to take advantage and pleasure in creating beautiful simple food to entertain those close to you and also yourself. Simplify your time and commitments to those most p. 4 in important to you and gain more value your investments and simply enjoy what comes with being a Boomer.

All of us at Today’s BoomeR Magazine would like to thank you, all of our subscribers, readers, and advertisers for your continued support and we wish you all a happy holiday and new year. p. 12 Simply seek to lead vs follow the herd in the “Year of the Sheep” in 2015!

Alexandra Maragha Editor-In-Chief Send Letters and Feedback to: Alexandra@theamericanboomer.com

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6 Up-And-Coming Retirement Spots for 2015

BOOMER TRAVEL

(You've Probably Never Considered)

By Ashley Neglia, Grandparents.com

When it comes to the best places to retire, we’ve covered prettiest, happiest, and most affordable cities and towns. We’ve even covered which towns have a strong collegiate tie. Now, we’ve compiled some of the unsung heroes of retirement -- those places that don’t always make the national top 10 lists but are a boon for retirees nonetheless.

One thing to note is that many of the towns and cities we included are located in the South, specifically the part of the country known as The Sunbelt. Not everyone needs to retire someplace balmy, but we’ve found that the majority of people seek out warmer climates and are less inclined to want to deal with harsh winter weather, according to research conducted by TopRetirements.com. What’s more, many Southern states are veritable tax havens for retirees. Georgia, South Carolina, Florida and Alabama, for example, don’t tax Social Security benefits and have property tax breaks for seniors, according to Kiplinger. The key to remember, though, is that there are 76 million baby boomers in the United States envisioning their golden years in 76 million unique ways.

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If you thought living in Florida meant having to live at sea level, you’ve never heard of Mount Dora. At 184 feet above sea level, Mount Dora is considered one of the highest points in the Sunshine State. Centrally-located in Florida (about 45 minutes away from Walt Disney World), this charming lakeside retreat tucked amongst orange groves is home to the oldest continuously operated hotel in Florida and has a history steeped in hospitality and relaxation.

As a former playground for wealthy Victorians seeking sun and leisure, Mount Dora’s Lakeside Inn hosted at least two U.S. Presidents in its heydey, who spent their vacations rocking on the great veranda, fishing in Lake Dora and taking in the picturesque oak trees and Spanish moss. Craftsman-style bungalows, Victorian-era single family homes and some decidedly Mediterranean influenced creates a storied patchwork of archiHuntsville, Alabama tectural styles that ultimately give Mount Dora a Huntsville’s impressive history reaches beyond its city limits and — as the center of rocket-propulsion research and home unique, eclectic feel. Once considered the “Antiques to the S. Army Aviation and Missile Command NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center — has a strong foothold in American Capital,” Mount Dora’s past and present. Unlike more rural parts of Alabama, Hunts- shopping scene offers more than just trinkets and treasville has a sophisticated, city-like feel to it, said John Brady, ures from yesteryear. From President of TopRetirements.com. And as one of the top 30 privately-owned boutiques fastest growing metro cities in the country, according to the 2014 U.S. Census, it also has a thriving economy, which means to full-scale shopping malls, Mount Dora is a shopper’s finding work after retirement is possible if that’s on your retirement checklist. Huntsville was added to the National Reg- paradise. If you prefer not ister of Historic Places in 1973 and has three historic districts. to venture out in the midday sun, stores are even If a 150-year-old antebellum single family isn’t your speed, open late every second Friluxury condos, affordable apartments and eclectic lofts dot downtown Huntsville. Speaking of downtown, it’s also home day of the month thanks to to award-winning chefs, like Chef James Boyce of Cotton Row Mount Dora Village at Nite.

Restaurant, eclectic boutiques and even craft breweries (Huntsville is considered the epicenter of Southeastern craft Sequim, Washington brewing). With more than 40 event venues and a thriving arts scene that includes museums, a ballet and even a symphony, Situated across from rain-drenched Seattle, Sequim, WashingHuntsville residents have more than their fair share of cultural ton, is a veritable patch of clear sky in any otherwise cloudy sky. Thanks to a uniquely dry microclimate with temperate activities to choose from. Even its parks feature prominent gifts from around the world, including the iconic red Japanese weather year-round -- the mercury only rises into the 70s durbridge and cherry trees given to Huntsville by Japanese Major ing summer and typically doesn’t dip below 40 in the winter -Sequim’s beautiful blue skies have been attracting pilots to General Mikio Kimata. And when they’re not experiencing settle here for three decades. Sequim’s lack of rainfall also man-made beauty, residents take advantage of the town’s warm climate by experiencing natural beauty through hiking, creates the perfect climate to grow lavender, making it the biking, walking and even horseback riding through its nature Lavender Capital of North America, rivaled only by France.

This Pacific town is also home to another unique (and tasty!) preserve and wildlife sanctuary. cash crop -- Dungeness crabs -- which are harvested nearly year-round from November to July. Nestled between the Mount Dora, Florida snow-capped Olympic Mountains and Salish Sea, Sequim resi6 Today’s BoomeR

dents have access to both land and sea adventures. Its sunny weather also make it a terrific golf destination. There’s even a crab-shaped sand trap in homage to the Dungeness crab. If outdoor recreation isn’t your thing, Sequim has a thriving cultural scene and is only a short drive to Seattle or a 30-minute ferry ride to Vancouver (just don’t forget your passport!). It’s also home to Olympic Cellars, one of the first wineries in Washington State and the first to operate in the Olympic Peninsula.

naissance and has turned itself into a desirable retirement destination. What’s more, with a low cost of living — 12 percent below the U.S. average — and no state income tax, the state and local tax burden are the third lowest in the country, making it an affordable place to retire. With a bustling arts district, prime dining locations, prominent museums, including the Bessie Smith Cultural Center, historic buildings, battlefields and neighborhoods, and an aquarium to boot, Chattanooga has a little something for everyone. Chattanooga even has its own floating hotel — the Delta Queen — a steamboat that’s considered a National Historic Landmark. ChattaDahlonega, Georgia nooga’s relatively mild climate -- it can get humid in the summer months — also allows for a very active outdoor commuThere’s gold in them Georgian hills! Seriously. Dahlonega, Georgia, was the site of the first major gold rush in the United nity, who swim, boat, fish, run and even hike throughout the surrounding state forests.

States, not California. There may not be any gold left there today, but there are plenty of things to catch your eye in this Bluffton, South Carolina quaint town, like the gorgeous lakes and waterfalls found throughout the area, stately Georgian brick architecture or the rolling Appalachian To the west of tony Hilton Head Island is Bluffton, South Caromountains that sit to lina, a Lowcountry town on the rise. Over the past 20 years, the west. Dahlonega is Bluffton has become less of a local secret and more of vacaalso considered the tion and retirement destination thanks to its beautiful natural heart of Georgia wine surroundings and relaxed way of life. Named for the scenic country, which is known bluffs that overlook the May River, Bluffton has become a for its sweet Muscacultural powerhouse with art galleries and antique stores lindine, Merlot and Viog- ing Calhoun Street. It’s also a foodie’s paradise with awardnier wines, among oth- winning restaurants serving Southern delicacies, like fried ers. Even though it’s green tomatoes, shrimp and grits and she-crab soup. For hisstill an up-and-coming tory buffs, Bluffton’s downtown is chock full of civil war-era wine region, Georgia’s antebellum homes and grand churches listed on the National soil composition has Register of Historic Places. If you venture only 10 minutes been compared to Ita- from the heart of town, you’ll also found Rose Hill Mansion — ly’s piedmont region, a once-abandoned gothic revival plantation on the banks of which may one day the Colleton River. What really defines Bluffton, and the rest yield prominent wines. of this highly desired area, is what’s called Lowcountry living.

As a college town — it’s home to the University of North Georgia — Dahlonega is a bustling cultural center with arts and live music, festivals and plenty of history. It’s been a Tree City USA community for 13 years running and boasts an historic downtown with plenty of shopping and dining, walking tours, theaters, and even ghost tours.

Chattanooga, Tennessee The Chattanooga Choo Choo may be an old time favorite, but there’s nothing old about the cultural revolution happening in this Tennessee town.

With an across-the-board redevelopment that spans from the heart of its downtown to the river’s edge, Chattanooga is having quite the reToday’s BoomeR 7

The Biggest Federal Income Tax Changes for 2015

?

By Kristin Shaw

change.

Spoiler alert: The Affordable Care Act is the granddaddy of tax law changes this year. In fact, it's the largest single change to the tax code in 20 years. It's a complex one to dig into, so let's set it aside for now. Besides the ACA, there are a few interesting changes that could affect you when you file that 2014 tax return next year.

If you have an FSA this year and carry over $500 into 2015, you will be ineligible to participate in a Health Savings Account in 2015. Yes, the entire year. This only applies to general purpose FSAs, not ones for specific uses like dependent care or dental expenses.

1. Pell Grants, Living Expenses and Education Credits Many students, by default, will calculate their Pell Grant funds as being used to pay for qualified education expenses, because their college applies the grant for tuition. It isn't wrong, but that amount will decrease the expenses eligible to be used to claim an education credit like the American Opportunity Credit.

Instead, Pell Grants can now be allocated as living expenses, up to the full amount of actual living expenses -- even if a student's college actually applied the Pell Grant to his tuition and fees. The amount will then count as taxable income, but it might be worth it to maximize the education credit. This complexity affects almost 9 million students.

(Note: More resources on this are forthcoming from the IRS. It's also never a bad idea to consult with a tax professional on your specific situation, because this can get tricky.)

2. Bitcoin If you received payments this year in virtual currency, then you should include the fair market value of it with your annual income. So yes, it's taxable. Different calculations will apply if you invest in virtual currency or receive it as compensation for services.

3. Saving for Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts are traditionally use-it-or-lose-it plans. You can save pre-tax dollars to pay for health care expenses, but they must be used within a plan year. As of 2013, you are allowed to roll over $500 from an FSA into the next plan year. Now there is another 8 Today’s BoomeR

You might need to plan ahead based on this new restriction.

As Kevin Martin, a tax attorney at The Tax Institute at H&R Block points out, "If you really want to set up an HSA for 2015, it may be best not to carry forward those unused FSA amounts, even if it means that you will lose them."

4. Unemployment Benefits Being without a job is stressful, mentally and financially. For many job seekers, unemployment benefits provide a valuable bridge between their current situation and a new position. The bad news is that these benefits are taxable income. You will receive Form W-2 and/or Form 1099-G with the amount of benefits reported. Use this information to file your tax return.

Additionally, a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision clarified that any supplemental unemployment compensation - not tied to state unemployment benefits - paid by a former employer to a laid-off employee will be taxable as wages, and therefore social security taxes will need to be withheld from them.

5. IRA Rollover Limits Starting in 2015 This one's a tax change for 2015 -- it won't effect your 2014 return, but will affect your savings next year. Starting Jan. 1, 2015 you can only make one rollover from an IRA to another IRA in a 12-month period. A rollover is described as withdrawing the funds from one IRA, holding them for less than

60 days and then depositing them into another IRA account.  Taxpayers can still make as many trustee-to-trustee transfers as they like over the course of a year. (That means you can tell Bank "A" to send your IRA funds to Bank "B" -- the money is never actually withdrawn and in your possession.) If you roll over more than one IRA, the withdrawals after the first will be taxed to you at regular rates, plus potentially a 10 percent early withdrawal tax. In addition, the disallowed rollover will be subject to the regular IRA contribution limits.

If the rolled over amount exceeds your allowable IRA contribution, it will be treated as an excess contribution and subject to a 6 percent excise tax. The takeaway: Withdraw IRA funds with great care and attention in 2015 and going forward.

$406,750 for single.



$432,200 for head of household.



$457,600 for married filing jointly.

The standard deduction amounts have also increased a bit.

Single or married filing separately is now $6,200, a $100 increase from 2013. Head of household is $9,100, a $150 increase. Married filing jointly or qualifying widow(er) is $12,400, a $200 increase. These will be higher if you are over 65 years old, or if you are blind. Finally, each exemption claimed in 2014 is $3,950, a $50 increase.

8. The Extenders There were 55 tax benefits extended in the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 that expired on Dec. 31, 2013. That

6. Foster Care Most of the time the phrase "foster care" conjures an image of a child being placed with a family, unrelated to them, for temporary care. While that is a correct impression, for tax purposes the definition is now a bit broader. If you provide non-skilled medical support services or care for a person, living in your home, who has physical, mental or emotional issues, and you receive payments from the state or certified Medicaid provider, those payments can likely be excluded from your taxable income. Even if the person is related to you.

"This new guidance from the IRS is a complete about-face from its old position," said Lynn Ebel, a tax attorney and manager of The Tax Institute at H&R Block. "The IRS used to tax this money received for care for relatives since they couldn't possibly meet the definition under the tax-free rules of being a foster child. Now thanks to this new clarification of the definition, taxpayers who care for their family members can receive the same tax-free treatment."

means if you filed your 2014 tax return today, you would not be able to claim any of those benefits. Of course, you won't file your 2014 return today. It isn't due until April 15, 2015.

And it is possible that Congress will choose to extend some, or all, of the tax breaks from ATRA 2012 before that time. Of the expired benefits, 12 impact individuals, and 14 affect As tax-free money, however, it is not earned income used to small businesses. They include: compute the Earned Income Credit.

The higher education tuition deduction, which allowed tax7. Keeping up With the Joneses, or Inflation They aren't big changes, but some of the fundamental parts of tax filing have undergone inflation adjustments for 2014.

You are now in the highest -- 39.6 percent -- tax bracket if your adjusted gross income is more than: 

$228,800 for married filing separately.

payers to deduct between $2,000 and $4,000 of qualified tuition expense.

Energy credits, which included credits for home improvements that benefitted energy efficiency like heating and cooling systems, insulation and windows.

Educator expense deduction, which allows teachers to claim up to $250 of unreimbursed classroom expenses.

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Social Security: 1.7 Percent Benefit Increase for 2015

By Bob Trotter, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist

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15 Simple Dinner Party Ideas

By Deb Schwartz Photos by David Meredith

Clever tips and foolproof strategies for making holiday (or any-day) entertaining a breeze.

Universal party truths. The first guests will arrive early. The pots and pans won’t be washed. And a halfdozen folks will squeeze into the kitchen while you’re still slicing and dicing.

Instead of fighting the facts, finesse your game plan. With these clever tips from entertaining experts, you can keep holiday (or any-day) guests happy and occupied—and make yourself less harried, from hello to good-bye.

Let the Bar Beckon For the smoothest entry, give arriving guests a clear destination. A cart or a small table done up with essentials (plus flowers and a kooky conversation piece) is a friendly oasis, and it frees you to scurry back to the kitchen if needed. Try to offer bar access from more than one side, to prevent traffic jams.

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Stock generously (chill white wine two hours in advance) so guests won’t need to come looking for anything—ice, glassware, bottle opener, garnishes—but reserve some surface area for mixing drinks. Nobody wants to whip up a Manhattan in midair.

(Parker Mid-Century bar cart, $349, westelm.com. Viv sparkling-wine glass, $5; Orb copper shaker, $22; Miller bowl in amber, $15; and Vineyard Pinot Noir wineglass, $20: crateandbarrel.com. Lobmeyr Patrician white-wine glass, $137, tableartonline.com)

Wander into the Kitchen Guests go where the action is—besides, they want to hang out with the host. Be ready with a hospitable set12 Today’s BoomeR

up.

Prop for socializing. Give over the far end of your work zone (kitchen counter or island) to appetizers, so people know exactly where they can linger without being too in-your-face.

Welcome help. Reserve certain small jobs for early birds and those who shy away from small talk. Offer the sorts of tasks you could give to an older child: setting out dishes and silverware, plating hors d’oeuvres, filling the water pitcher, trimming green beans, putting rolls in a basket, and ferrying sides to the table.

Hide signs of stress. If anything makes a guest feel

guiltier than watching the host do dishes after the meal, it’s watching her do them before the meal. If you’re in a big rush (imagine that!), use the dishwasher as a hiding spot for dirty pots, even those you’ll ultimately wash by hand.

Distribute the apps. Send flat breads, crudités, and other hors d’oeuvres that take up a lot of real estate out to the living room with a gregarious guest. Keep kitchen snacks compact so as not to crowd your busy surface. Go with the sort of low-key nibbles you would find in a classic bar: small bowls of nuts, wasabi peas, and olives.

(English Baguette five-piece place setting in Rumbled Silverplate, $129; and Chinese Porcelain Grand rimmed dinner plate in white, $48 for four: rh.com. Hasami dinner plate in sand, $36, canoeonline.net. Fog linen kitchen cloth in green-blue plaid, $15, John Derian Dry Goods, 212 -677-8408. Mud Australia tray in Bottle, $130; and platter in Bottle, $96: shophorne.com.)

near a parent), couples (split them up to encourage mixing), and hearing-impaired guests (reserve a quiet corner chair or seat them front and center, depending on personality). Then fill in the blanks.

Set the sideboard. Turn a console into a convenient, arm’s reach refilling station. Load it with wine, carafes of water, and spare utensils to eliminate supply runs.

Be present. Each time you get up to fetch something, you essentially abandon your guests. A host’s primary duty isn’t to feed people (really!) but to spend time with them. Serve family-style, and forget cleaning up midevent. Carrying plates to the kitchen is one thing; but once you turn on a tap, you’ve doused the festivity.

Move to the Dinner Table Spirited conversation is a dinner party’s bread and butter, but sometimes it needs a nudge.

Manage moods. At holiday time, people tend to arrive hungry (and ready to indulge), so don’t make them wait too long for the main event.

Make a scene. For easy ooh factor, use a white tablecloth, white dishes, and just one or two rich accent colors (say, cranberry and amber). Flowers and centerpieces should be tall enough to talk under or short enough to talk over.

A place (card) for everyone.

Seating plans may seem formal, but they actually make guests more comfortable. Think about who would benefit from particular placement: small children (seat

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(Welcome red-wine glass in gray (on sideboard), $15, crateandbarrel.com. Goblet water glass in amber, $20, billycotton.com. Stonewashed Belgian linen tablecloth, $89, rh.com. Spruce candelabra (on sideboard), $885, thefutureperfect.com. Tall cylindrical ceramic vase in red (similar to shown), $95, atwestend.com. Match Convivio soup and pasta bowl, $107, gracioushome.com. Pomegranate place cards, $45 for 12, mrsstrong.com. Molten pitcher, $199, michaelaram.com.)

Dessert in the Living Room Relocating for sweets and coffee lets guests stretch their legs and switch up conversation partners.

Abandon the mess. Walk away from the dinner detritus with everyone else. It makes guests feel relaxed and lets you seem chill, even if you’re not.

Build a framework. Set up your dessert infrastructure—plates, napkins, forks—on a side table before the party. In the kitchen, stash a filled creamer in the fridge and have the coffeemaker ready for action.

Serving only decaf saves a lot of trouble and makes most everyone happy.

Cheer at the finish line. At the holidays, Champagne after the meal is a nice surprise. It’s one of those delightful little touches that people remember.

Make minis. Fend off “just a sliver” requests (and unwanted diet banter) with smallish desserts— cupcakes, brownies, or cookies—that guests can serve themselves, without comment or cajoling.

(They’re also a natural choice after a big feast.)

Pretreat. To really spoil guests, set out a warm-up to the dessert course—fancy chocolates or salted caramels—while you ready the baked goods. (Don’t forget the desserts that guests brought!) Sweet cheeses and nuts with a dessert wine provide the right coda for the sugar-averse.

(Toscana two-tier centerpiece, $790, tabulatua.com. Spheres creamer with wicker handle, $49; Domus French-press coffeepot with large wicker handle, $155; and Spheres sugar bowl with wicker handle and spoon, $55: shophorne.com. Tourron mug in lemon (similar to shown), $30, michaelcfina.com. Festival cocktail napkins in mustard, $23 for four, sferra.com.)

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BOOMER HEALTHY EATING: Holiday Favorites with a Twist

Recipes and Photos from Chef Eben Atwater

www.urbanmonique.com

It's that time again, that paean to comfort food indulgence that is your main holiday meal. We have some favorites that make their way to the groaning board every year, and here the are.

Try them all, or just one or two, but try them. Trust me when I say there are years of love woven into these recipes.

Twice Baked Potatoes Since this is a meal designed for pulling out all the stops, try these twice baked potatoes instead of mashed. They're easier to portion, which can help cut down on excess leftovers.

Russet Potatoes, 1/2 to 1 each depending on size and appetites; the rest of these ingredient amounts are based on a 4 large potato bake, so scale accordingly.

1 Cup heavy Cream 1/2 Cup Sour Cream 1 Cup Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese 4 ounces unsalted Butter 2 strips thick cut Bacon 4 Green Onions Sea Salt Fresh ground White Pepper Extra Virgin Olive Oil Dash of Tabasco Preheat oven to 325° F Rinse your spuds and pat dry with a clean towel.

Coat whole spuds with olive oil by hand, place in a glass baking dish.

Season the skins evenly with salt and pepper.

Slide the spuds into the oven and bake for about an hour, until the spuds are fork tender.

Fry bacon, dry on paper towels and fine dice.

Rinse, strip roots from green onions, and fine dice.

Grate cheddar cheese.

When the spuds are ready, pull them out of the oven and let them cool just long enough to handle with a clean towel, (in other words, still quite hot).

Reduce oven heat to 250° F. Cut the spuds into lengthwise halves, then carefully scoop the guts into a mixing bowl, keeping the skins intact.

Add cream, sour cream, half the cheese, bacon, onions and butter to spuds and blend thoroughly. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Refill the skins with the spud mixture, top with the remaining cheese, then slide them back into the oven; bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes.

Herb and Citrus Stuffing Stuffing is a must; try this recipe, redolent of herbs and citrus.

It's actually desirable to use bread that's a couple days old, so buy ahead. Stuffing can be prepared a day ahead of service and chilled, covered. Bring the stuffing back up to room temperature before you bake.

1 large Sourdough loaf 1 large Sweet Onion 1 stalk Celery, with leaves 3 slices thick cut Pepper Bacon 2 large Eggs 1 Cup Unsalted Butter Today’s BoomeR 15

Bake, on a middle rack for 30 minutes; remove foil and continue baking until browned, about another 30 minutes.

Allow to rest for 10 minutes prior to serving.

Brussels sprouts, the red headed first cousin of cabbage, get bad press far more often than they should. They're truly a lovely vegetable and a perfect side for the big feast. It's a safe bet that overcooking and poor seasoning have far more to do with negative reviews than the veggie itself. Brussels sprouts contain glucosinolates, compounds that offer abundant health benefits, but have the unfortunate tendency to release sulfurous byproducts when they're overcooked. Avoiding the all too common boiling of sprouts is your first line of defense against bad taste. Here's a preparation with bright and earthy notes guaranteed to please.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds & Apple Cider Reduction Brussels Sprouts, about 6 per person; the ingredient measures here are scaled for 35 to 40 sprouts.

1 1/2 Cups Honeycrisp Apple Cider 1/2 Cup slivered Almonds Extra Virgin Olive Oil 2 small cloves Garlic Unsalted Butter Sea Salt Black Pepper

1 1/2 Cups low-sodium Chicken Stock 1 small Lemon 2 Tablespoons Lemon Thyme 2 teaspoons Savory 1 teaspoon Sea Salt 1/2 teaspoon Grains of Paradise Preheat oven to 325° F Cut bread into roughly 1/2″ cubes.

Spread cubes on 2 baking sheets and bake until dry, about 15 minutes. Allow bread to cool on pans, then transfer to a large bowl. Crumble by hand and add the lemon thyme, savory, salt, and grains of paradise.

Rinse and dice onion and celery. Zest and juice lemon. Lightly beat eggs.

In a large saucepan over medium high heat, fry the bacon until crisp. Set that aside on paper towels to drain, and reduce heat to medium low. Add the butter to the bacon fat and melt thoroughly. Add onions and sauté, stirring steadily, until onions start to turn translucent, about 5 minutes. Add celery and continue to sauté, stirring occasionally, for another 5 minutes. Transfer all to the mixing bowl.

Crumble the bacon, then add it plus the eggs, stock, lemon juice and zest to the bowl and combine thoroughly.

Transfer stuffing to a lightly buttered, shallow baking dish, cover the dish with metal foil.

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Preheat oven to 375° F. Remove sprouts from stem and soak in cold water for 10 minutes.

Inspect and trim any browned or yellowed leaves, and trim stems to about 1/4″. If your sprouts are large, you may halve them if you wish.

Mince garlic.

Place trimmed sprouts in a mixing bowl, and coat generously with olive oil. Add garlic and toss to incorporate. Add enough salt and pepper to lightly coat.

Roast sprouts in a middle rack for 35 to 40 minutes, turning once, until they've begun to brown.

While the sprouts are roasting, prepare the almonds and cider reduction.

In a sauté pan over medium heat, add the almonds and a tablespoon of unsalted butter. Sauté, stirring regularly, until the nuts and butter start to brown, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

In a sauté pan over medium heat, add the cider and bring to a simmer. Whisking steadily, simmer until the cider has reduced by roughly 50%. Add a tablespoon of butter and a very small pinch of sea salt. Whisk to incorporate, then remove from heat and set aside.

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and whisk briskly to incorporate. Allow the dressing to sit while the sprouts roast.

When the sprouts are done, allow them to cool for about 5 minutes. Combine sprouts, almonds, and reduction; toss to thoroughly coat the sprouts, serve warm.

Filling: 2 1/2 Cups Pecan halves 3 Eggs 1 Cup Agave Nectar 3/4 Cup Light Corn Syrup 3 tablespoons Butter 2 Tablespoons Sour Mash Whiskey 2 teaspoons pure Vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon Sea Salt

Crust Prep: Keep in mind that great pie dough is simple and minimally handled. Make your dough by hand; machines get between you and flaky crust.

In a mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt.

Add the lard and work it into the dry ingredients by hand until it resembles rough corn meal in texture.

Add the water a tablespoon at a time and stir the dough with a fork.

When the dough holds together as a ball, but isn't wet or sticky, stop working it, cover it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1/2 hour.

For drinks, definitely try the rest of the Honeycrisp Cider you used Form the dough into a disk about 3/4″ thick, then roll it out on a for the sprouts. It's fabulous heated up with a cinnamon stick and lightly floured surface, into 12-inch circle about 1/8″ thick. Lift an a clove or two. Prosecco is an excellent sparkler if you prefer edge and carefully peel the dough free, then drape it onto a dry those with your meal. If not, try a nice, light white like Pinot 9″ pie pan.

Grigio or Fumé Blanc; both of those will cut rich food admirably. Trim the dough with a paring knife, leaving it about 1″ over the A hard cider is also a nice choice, lighter than beer and pairs well edge, then tuck the overhanging dough underneath itself to form with thanksgiving fare. If you do prefer beer, keep it light here as a thick edge on the pan, and treat it as you see fit, (I like the claswell; a local Pilsner or lager will do the trick nicely. sic thumb print myself).

Preheat your oven to 400° F, and position racks in the center and lower third of oven.

Pecan Pie Put a piece of parchment paper or foil over the pie shell and fill with dried beans or pie weights.

To finish, eschew pumpkin and make a lovely pecan pie. It's our Spread the pecan halves out on a baking sheet. nod to 12 years in Texas, where truly great pecans come from.

Blind bake the crust on the center rack for 15 minutes, and start I've tried nuts from all over and the Texas nuts are best; sweet, on the filling. rich and meaty. This recipe really does make a perfect pie; the In a sauce pan over medium-high heat, melt the butter, then add nuts are front and center, it's not too sweet, and it has great the sugar and corn syrup. Stir constantly with a whisk until comdepth of flavor, with heady hints of vanilla and Whisky. pletely combined.

For the Crust: Slip the pecans into the hot oven on the lower rack; let both nuts 2 cups all-purpose Flour and crust bake for another 5 minutes.

1/2 cup cold Lard Lightly beat the eggs and set aside.

1/4 teaspoon Sea Salt Remove crust and nuts from oven and reduce heat to 350 F. 6 – 8 Tablespoons Ice Cold Water Remove filling mixture from heat. Add hot nuts to the hot mixture. Add Vanilla and Whisky carefully and slowly; the hot sugar can bubble up explosively if it's too hot and it will scald and stick to skin!

Add eggs to hot nut mixture and incorporate thoroughly with a whisk.

Remove weight or beans from crust, then pour hot filling carefully to fill crust.

Place pie on center rack of oven with a baking sheet on the lower rack, centered under the pie.

Bake for 40 minutes and then take a peek; pie should look firm and nicely set at this point. If the edges are notably darker, line them with an edge guard or foil and bake another 5 minutes.

Remove pie from oven, set on a wire rack to cool.

M and I wish you a holiday of peace and comfort.

Today’s BoomeR 17

Johnny Vs New BoomeR Blog

F– Being Old Just Say “No” 2 Kabuki for the Holidays!

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Try to keep your same sleep/exercise schedule to energize yourself for all of the extra activities. Stay hydrated and watch all of those extra holiday pound adding foods.

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Set a limit of gift giving and stick to it. Consider using cash, gift cards/certificates to acknowledge the person and save you from endless trips to the Mall and “zombie” shopping.

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Take a breather and allow time for yourself. Find and spend some quiet time to cleanse the mind and restoring inner calm. Fifteen minutes of Yoga, listening to soft music, or taking a walk at night can work wonders for your psyche.

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Learn to say No! Being pressured to appease everyone and all requests can and will drive one into a frenzy.

Prioritize what is important to the moment and measure your responses to all requests. Never feel obligated just because it’s a holiday tradition. By saying yes when you should say no can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed.

By John A. Vardallas Founder/CEO, TheAmericanBoomeR.com It’s that time of the year again: the upcoming holiday season where stress seems to be king or queen in our lives. For us Boomers, this feeling can really be a bummer! The older one gets, the less we appreciate that kind of seasonal “Kabuki” that life brings. So as we head into the crazy year end schedule I suggest we focus more on the joyous positive celebration of the seasons meaning, instead of experiencing anxiety, unrealistic expectations, sadness and exhaustion. The holidays always seem to present us with a mind boggling array of demands-family gatherings, shopping, entertaining, parties, cleaning and preparing, to name a few.

We need not burn out or premature age due to seasonal stress. Time to stop and regroup your mind set before it s too late and the holidays get the best of you emotionally and physically.

Don’t let the holidays become a time of dread. Hopefully you can take steps to prevent stress and depression that can haunt some of us during this time of year. Learn to recognize the signs that trigger our emotions and combat them before they lead to a meltdown.

By living your life in a more vertical versus horizontal lifestyle- where doing less is actually more fulfilling, you can embrace the holiday season with peace and joy.

Cheers to Your Holidays and Happy New Year!

To manage and take more control of the season, try some of Source: Mayo Clinic these suggested De-Stress Tips For the Holidays: 

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Acknowledge your feelings. It’s normal to feel even the slightest sadness, grief, depression and the feeling of being overwhelmed. Take time to let it all go: feeling sad and crying is ok. No one can or should force themselves to be happy just because it’s the Holidays!

Reach out and connect. Seek out community, social and spiritual gatherings. They can provide support and companionship. Volunteering with religious and social groups is a good way to lift your spirits and connect with likeminded folks.

Lower your expectations of the holidays. Be realistic that just because it’s that time of the year, all will be rosy. Traditions and rituals can be tempered as well as change. People are not always the way you left them the previous holiday. Life happens and situations change. Take all as situational--not personal.

Bury old hatchets and clean the slate for better relationships. Let go of old grudges and envy, and try to be understanding of others issues.

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Your Voice Heard: Letters to the Editor 10 Ways to Celebrate Life Change: Confessions of a Boomer Woman J.E. Warner, Little Rock, Arkansas

color we like (and one that is “acceptable” to the business world) and stick with it FOREVER. My change? I became a blonde. I’ve always been a brunette and was afraid that people would be aghast if I dared to be anything else. Guess what? Nobody cared. A few liked it – most never commented. Do I like it? Maybe. But it was my choice. It was a life change and it felt good.

I was never a true “nurturer”. To be sure, I took care of those around me – especially my kids and often my spouse, but, those who knew me would never have characterized 2. Take a vacation by yourself. We’ve spent years planme as nurturing. I never understood the women who spent ning, organizing, making reservations, arranging who the whole of their existence in seeming servitude to their will be traveling with whom and making sure everybody families and friends. I am a “career woman” and was just as on the trip has a good time. Except ourselves. Now? happy buying cupcakes from the bakery to send to my kids’ Pick a place YOU want to go. Don’t consult anyone school rather than taking some perverse pride in baking else. Announce to the clan “this is just for ME.” And them myself. I know…I will get hate mail from women who go. Be lazy – or adventurous – or whatever it is that are this way – but, really – I’m just being honest in how I blows your hair back. Don’t worry about what’s going feel. That’s the first really cool thing about the phenomeon at home or who might feel left out. Sit in the sand non I call “Life Change”. (my favorite alone vacation is at the ocean), read a No, it’s not a euphemism for “getting older” – although I do book, contemplate nature, ogle the college boys on think age has something to do with it, it’s really about spring break, listen to your favorite 70’s music on your getting to that place in your life (whatever your age) where iPod. Whatever you do – do it with gusto. you can say with total honesty and forthrightness “this is 3. For women: Buy a car without your spouse. I did it. me – and I’m not afraid, ashamed or embarrassed to admit After years of being sure that only my husband could do it.” I like it. I like it a lot. At the very young age of 53, I have this, I decided I wanted to tackle this task. I went out, discovered my new voice – the one that is not intimidated arranged my trade, picked out my car, did the research by the “perfect” ones. I am gloriously flawed and I wallow and haggled for the best price. And, I put it in my in it like a happy pig in a mud puddle on a warm, sunny day. name. The 30 year old me would never have done But what else? Where do these life changes take us this. The 53 year old me discovered this was no BIG now? As Boomers (or maybe some near Boomers), we have DEAL, and I felt quite empowered!! opportunities we’ve never had in past generations. And we 4. Go skinny dipping. We’ve had a pool in our backyard have some choices to make. I’ve compiled a list (no – not a for years. And for years I never did this because I was bucket list!) of 10 good ways to celebrate life changconcerned with “what ifs”. “What if the neighbors saw es. Admittedly, these are relatively personal ones – so you me?” Never mind the 8 foot privacy fence and the lock will need to make your own list – but feel free to use some on the gate. “What if someone drops by unanof mine. I promise you – you may not like all of these, but nounced?” “What if my kids found out? “ and of course, you will gain a feeling of real freedom just because you “It’s just not lady-like!” (my mother’s voice rings in my were outrageous enough to try! head with this phrase!”) The life change in me says 1. Change your hair. Sounds so benign, but, professional “Who cares?” And “So what?” If my neighbor drops by women have always had this thing about making sure unannounced, HE will be embarrassed – not me. I’m in their hair isBoomeR “so-so”. And often, we will find a style and a the privacy of my backyard swimming and sunning 24 Today’s

naked – and if my kids find out – not a problem. They will learn that dear old mom may be aging, but she is not getting old!

5. Get a manicure, pedicure and a facial on a regular basis. Not only do they feel good, you will look better. And this includes the MEN! The woman in your life will appreciate it. Especially the pedicure. For God’s sake men! Have you seen your feet lately? Clean those puppies up, man!

6. Get waxed. Whatever it is that needs it. If you’ve always been afraid of it – or embarrassed by it – don’t be! For men, it could be their backs – or even their chests. For women – brows, lips, or bikini waxes can clean up those areas you’ve neglected for waaaaay too long! And if you are really feeling brave (and want be ready for #4 above) – go for the Brazilian. Honestly – it’s not that big of a deal and it will make you feel like a new woman!

7. Eat only when you want to. When the kids were growing up – and even for the first few years after they left home, meal times seemed to be written in stone. No more! If we are hungry, we eat. If not – we skip it. Sometimes we have dessert first. And – even more radical – we just have a piece of pie for breakfast. I would not recommend this on a full time basis (those pounds won’t magically disappear like they used to!) – but a life change moment says “go for it”. Routine is for people with no imagination.

8. Wear something hot pink. The “Professional Me” always wore neutrals – with small pops of color here and there. It was the acceptable thing to do. Life change me says “WEAR THE HOT PINK jacket over the lemon yellow dress.” Crazy? Maybe. But I like it. And at this point in my life that’s ALL that matters! Whatever your color, wear it proudly!

9. Learn a new language. No – not from a Rosetta Stone tutorial. For me it was “e-speak”. I purposed to learn what all the abbreviations meant that were being bandied about on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. From OMG and ILY to LOL and WTF, I am now fully fluent. Just PM me on FB if you need an interpreter.

10. Lastly (but very importantly) have an affair. No – I’m not suggesting you cheat on your spouse. But if you have a significant other who has become just a standard fixture in your life, look for ways to re-energize the relationship. Flirt with him/her over cocktails at a local restaurant. Dress up for him/her. Women: buy beautiful lingerie and actually wear it! (men can do this too if you are into that kind of thing – no judging.) Suggest reading the Kama Sutra together (again) and try out a few new ideas. The sky is really the limit if you embrace the life change mentality. It’s too bad that after a certain age we tend to forget that we are still sexual beings – and we quit acting like sex is important. It can be just as exciting (often even more so) in your 50’s, 60’s and beyond as it was in your 20’s and 30’s. But you have to put some effort into it.

That’s my latest “life change” list. I’ve done all of these. Life for this Boomer is BOOMING! And it’s only gonna get better from here. Embrace your life. And don’t quit living until the breath leaves your body. Even then, go out with style. Do MORE. Do BETTER. You deserve it!

Write for Us! We are looking to hear from you! Are you an expert, have an idea or something to say? We want to hear from you and have your voice heard in Today’s BoomeR. Submit your stories and contact our editor, and you could become a contributor each issue!

Do you have something to say? EE--mail Alexandra@TheAmericanBoomeR.com *All letters to the editor are reviewed before publication. The views expressed in such are not those of Today’s BoomeR, nor those of The AmericanBoomeR.com.

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