LIFE, HEALTH & HAPPINESS FOR NORTH WHIDBEY’S 50-PLUS CROWD VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 10 • MARCH 2014
MARCH IS NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH “Enjoy the taste of eating right” “Enjoy the taste of eating right” is the theme for National Nutrition Month 2014. Consumer research confirms that “taste” tops nutrition as the reason one chooses one food over another. While social, emotional, and health reasons also play a role, the foods people enjoy are the ones they eat most. So this year’s key message for National Nutrition Month is to “combine taste and nutrition” to create healthy meals that follow the dietary guidelines recommendations.
FIVE WISHES “The living will with heart and soul” Diet and exercise, regular medical checkups and changes in lifestyle are all good, but we cannot avoid growing older. However, we can find ways to do it as gracefully as possible. It is difficult for everyone to think about the end of our lives, but I think that most of us want to meet that inevitable day with dignity. Five Wishes is a legal document that allows us, in advance, plan just how we wish to be cared for in case of a serious illness. Wish One lets us choose the person we wish to make decisions for us when we cannot make them ourselves. It is also called a “durable power of attorney for health care.” Wish Two is a living will. It lets us put in writing the kind of medical treatment we want or don’t want if we become seriously ill and can’t communicate to anyone. Wish Three tells our loved ones how comfortable we wish to be. Wish Four tells our loved ones how we wish to be treated so that our dignity can be maintained. Wish Five gives us a chance to tell others how we wish to be remembered. Five Wishes was created to help people of all ages get the treatment they want if they get seriously ill. We are all concerned about maintaining our comfort and dignity when we are very ill. Jim Towey, an attorney who worked with Mother Teresa of Calcutta for 12 years, developed this document. His experiences with her are what inspired the Five Wishes and its coverage of the spiritual, personal, and emotional needs of people, not just their medical needs. It is a gift of “peace of mind” that is for family, friends and oneself. We want to invite you to learn more about Five Wishes by attending a seminar that will be held at the Oak Harbor Senior Center on the following dates: March 18th and April 22nd at 1:00pm. For more information and to sign up, please call our reception desk at 279-4580.
When choosing what you’re going to eat, try to eat the healthy things you like, that way you’ll eat healthier foods more often and feel better. Also try cooking some vegetables you like in a different way to make them taste better. Add the fruits you like to cereals, oatmeal, muffins, smoothies, and salads. This delicious recipe for roasting vegetables is from All Recipes. You can use any vegetables you favor. (12 servings). 1 small butternut squash, cubed 2 red bell peppers, diced 1 sweet potato, peeled and cubed 2 Yukon Gold potatoes, cubed 1 red onion, quartered and separated 1 TBSP. chopped thyme 2 TBSP. chopped rosemary ¼ Cup Olive oil 2 TBSP balsamic vinegar Salt and ground pepper Preheat oven to 475 degrees Fahrenheit . In a large bowl, combine all the vegetables. In a small bowl, stir together all the spices into the olive oil. Toss with vegetables until all are coated. Spread
The Importance of Low Vision Support Groups Once a person has been diagnosed with one of many degenerative eye diseases, impaired vision support groups can be critical to that person’s movement toward independence. There are many stages to dealing with low vision. It is very important to surround oneself with others who can share their stories, concerns and solutions. Also, it can be enabling to express feelings and share experiences and ideas. Support groups are a great asset and help in becoming independent after vision loss. No one really realizes how frustrated and anxious a person can get when they can no longer do simple tasks like reading the mail, cooking, driving, or writing. Low vision support groups give an opportunity to gather with one’s peers. It can be a great time Vision continued on page 2
on a roasting pan. Roast 35-40 minutes in the preheated oven, stirring every 10 minutes, or until vegetables are cooked and browned. Thanks so much to Debbie Metz who is Nutrition Program Director for Senior Services of Island County for sharing this wonderful recipe with us. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends shifts in dietary nutrients as we grow older, including more of the following: • Calcium and Vitamin D to help maintain strong bone health. Older adults should eat three servings of vitamin D-fortified low-fat or free-free milk or yogurt daily. Other sources of calciumrich foods include dark green leafy vegetables, canned fish and fortified cereals and fruit juices. • Vitamin B12 is often low in people older than 50. Lean meat, fortified cereals and some fish and seafood are excellent sources of vitamin B12. • Potassium is found in fruits, vegetables, and milk and yogurt products. To lower high blood pressure, seniors should increase potassium in their diets while reducing sodium or salt intake. • Fiber found in whole-grain breads and cereals, beans, peas, fruits and vegetables is a natural way to stay regular, prevent Type 2 diabetes, control weight and lower one’s risk for heart disease. • Healthier Fats found in olive oil and peanut oil, for example, are considered polyunsaturated or monounsaturated vs. saturated and trans fats found in many commercially processed and baked foods.
INSIDE THIS EDITION Guest Spot............ Pg. 2 Health.................. Pg. 2 Events................... Pg. 3 Games................. Pg. 3 Travel................... Pg. 4 Calendar.............. Pg. 5 Groups................. Pg. 6 Menu................... Pg. 6 Classes................. Pg. 7 Humor................. Pg. 7