NEWSLETTER
The first time I had this recipe was at a friend’s house. Blueberries and blackberries combined to make a good rich berry sauce. I requested this recipe and have made it several times. It is a big hit at my house. It is delicious on reduced-fat yogurt and also reduced-fat ice cream. I will be visiting my family in North Carolina this summer. I always bring them something I have made at home. I will definitely bring this sauce with me as the family is all ice cream lovers.
1/3 cup of frozen blueberries(you may use fresh)
1/3 cup of frozen blackberries. (you may use fresh)
1/4 cup of water
2 Tablespoons of Sugar
1 Tablespoon of Lemon Juice
! Tablespoon of butter.
1 cup of Plain 2% reduced fat Greek yogurt
Directions
In a small saucepan, combine the first 5 ingredients. Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium -low, gently boil 10 minutes or until sauce thickens. Stir in Butter.
In 2 bowls spoon 1/2 cup of yogurt. Top each serving with about 1/2 of Sauce.
Serves 2
My sister-in-law made this salad for dinner during our visit to North Carolina. I watched her make it and it is very simple to put together. It contains two of my favorite foods berries and greens(the romaine lettuce and baby spinach). The dressing is low in calories and fat. Ideal for those of us who watch their fat intake. Walnuts added to this recipe give it a good crunch. This recipe is very nutritious as well as delicious. It contains vitamins, phytochemicals, and omega 3 fatty acids. Enjoy!
1 cup of torn romaine
1 cup fresh baby spinach
1 cup of sliced fresh strawberries
1/2 cup thinly sliced celery
1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
2 green onions, chopped
1/4 cup raspberry vinaigrette
1 cup fresh raspberries.
Directions
Place the first 7 ingredients in a large bowl. To serve drizzle vinaigrette and toss to combine. Top with raspberries
Serves 4
This recipe puts together peaches and blueberries. It reminded me of another recipe that I made for a picnic. It was peach with berry pie. However, it doesn’t contain a crust it is wonderful with a vinegar dressing. I have made it several times for company and it is always a hit. Basil leaves are one of my favorite herbs to use on food. It gives this recipe a nice pungent taste. Enjoy
Ingredients:
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
1/2 + 1/4 teaspoon of sugar
1/2 + 1/4 teaspoon of champagne Vinegar or White Wine Vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoon of extra virgin Olive Oil.
Dash of salt.
3/4 cup of blueberries
1/2 large ripe peach or nectarine – cut into 8 wedges
2 Tablespoons of small fresh basil leaves.
Directions
In a small saucepan combine the first 3 ingredients. Bring to a boil. Cook until reduced to 1/4 cup. (this takes about 15 minutes) Add oil and salt to the pan, stirring with a whisk. Let it stand for 2 minutes
Combine berries and peach or nectarine in a large bowl. Add the vinaigrette dressing. Stir gently. Sprinkle with Basil. Arrange on a platter.
Ready to make up for lost time exploring? Then it’s time to make some major check marks on your bucket list. We’re talking the most exotic, adventurous, unique destinations that this world has to offer.
1. Africa
There’s plenty of once-in-a-lifetime experiences to uncover in Africa. AmaWaterways’ Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park is a thrilling experience that not only transforms the lives of those fortunate enough to participate, but also supports ongoing preservation of the majestic creatures. It’s an ultra-exclusive experience, as only eight people per day are granted permits to trek among each gorilla family. Go safari hopping with a touch of luxury with Micato, and get up close, stunning views of the Big 5 during one-of-a-kind private safaris, while staying in the finest camps, lodges, hotels, private villas and estates.
2. Machu Picchu, Peru
One of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu gives travelers a look at ancient worlds past. Set out on a tour with Trafalgar, where you’ll ascend to the Lost City in the Clouds aboard the Vistadome train. Each tour’s assigned ‘Local Specialist’ will lead an exploration of the iconic great Temple of the Sun, the House of the Priest, the Sacred Plaza and the Intihuatana. If you’re looking for a way that the whole family can participate in the wonder, Tauck offers a Bridges Family Tour through Peru, full of Inca wonders, colonial treasures and local traditions. Explore lost Incan cities, meet llamas, alpacas and Peruvian Pasos, get blessed by a shaman, go riding and rafting, learn chocolate-making secrets and more.
3. Galápagos
If a luxury vacation to the Galápagos Islands wasn’t on your bucket list before, it definitely should be now. Celebrity Cruises offers diverse Galápagos expeditions available with 3 stunning ships and 6 unique cruise itineraries.Get ready to stroll among the giant tortoises and play alongside the fur seals, or grab your binoculars to check out the elusive Blue-Footed Booby and the Flightless Cormorant. There’s no shortage of wildlife on this archipelago. If you happen to be a traveler who is big on creature comforts and luxuries, Silversea is perfect for you, with its all-inclusive cruise fares, offering excursions from complimentary Zodiac tours, snorkeling and kayaking to nature hikes led by naturalist experts and certified guides. The luxury experience also includes butler service in every suite and in-suite dining and room service.
4. Egypt
Its ruins may be ancient, but Egypt is a new hotspot. The Egyptians formed one of the most extraordinary cultures, revered for their impressive architecture, legendary Pharaohs and brilliant inventions that shaped the modern world. An Egypt exploration with Viking Cruises will take you down the Nile, where you’ll engage in once-in-a-lifetime activities such as camel rides, seeing temple hieroglyphics, and marveling at the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx. Those craving more luxury in Luxor can opt for a cruise with Regent Seven Seas. Along with every elite amenity and service, this all-inclusive cruise also includes free excursions such as guided tours and jeep safaris.
5. World Cruises
The ultimate vacation is a cruise around the world! Most range from 90-120 days – just imagine all the amazing ports of call alone, mixed with the comforts of home, including laundry service, and happily entertaining requests for special menu options that remind you of home. Did you know you can take just a segment or two of most world cruise itineraries? It’s a great way to experience this type of cruise without the substantial time commitment. Like a world cruise test drive.
Choose Your Exploration Style
There is definitely an art to figuring out your ideal travel style, and that’s where your Cruise Planners®Travel Advisor’s expertise comes in handy. Cruise or tour? Expedition style or luxury? Active vacation or refined? This is your bucket list, after all, and your Cruise Planners Travel Advisor will ensure that every box on your bucket list is checked to perfection.
Awhile back, I had the pleasure of sitting down and having lunch with Mr. Tony Massoud. Since then, I have gotten to know Tony pretty well. This story is about ten years old but wanted to republish it to give Tony some acknowledgement again.
I did not know anything about Tony, but I did have a pretty good idea in my head of what he would look like. When we met I was amazed that my mental image was correct, but what happened next was amazing!! I shared my personal story with Tony, and then I asked him about his life. What I learned about Tony brought me to tears. I can honestly say that I have never met a more caring man in my life than Tony.
Tony has experienced a number of interesting careers during his life. He started out in the Army (would be interesting to say what wars he was active in) and was promoted to Captain in just thirty months. After he left the military he worked for IBM as a ??? and then he took a position with Reynolds and Reynolds. Can you imagine being involved in the computer industry with IBM and Reynolds and Reynolds back then?
Tony’s career was interesting, but his personal life was very amazing as well. His first wife died from diabetes and he was left to raise his (age?) son alone. He eventually remarried. Tony not only excelled in his work and family life but over the years he became involved in volunteer work for charitable groups. He has sat on boards and been an active participant in groups such as Civitan, The Presidents Club, Prevent Blindness, United Rehabilitation Services, and many more very worthy groups and causes. Tony gives of himself and helps others more than anyone I’ve ever met before.
When he was not busy with his job or charitable work, Tony developed a wicked swing on the golf course. Tony, thank you for being such a great Senior Citizen! Congratulations on being named the “Senior Spotlight”
Just the other day, I visited a couple who hired me to come to their home and help them with some technology issues they were having. They had new smartphones that they couldn’t figure out how to get set up. They also needed help with various things with their Chromebook. And they needed to know how to change the fonts on a letter in Word on their desktop. Both people were in their late 70’s I’d imagine and very intelligent.
I asked them, “What do you want to be able to do with your cell phone?” The husband says, “Oh we just want to be able to make a phone call”. I looked at him point-blank and asked, “Then why did you get a smartphone?” The wife pipes up and says, “No no – if we are going to have smartphones, we should learn to use them for more than that!” Smart woman! We spent two hours at their home speed learning. They wanted to know everything! I got their cell phones set up and we were off!
First order of agenda – How to make a phone call. Then on to texting. Then how to add contacts to their new phone. Then on to how to take pictures and add them to a text. Wait! I thought you just wanted to make a phone call???
What people don’t realize is that in order to use a smartphone, whether that is an android or an iPhone, there are certain steps you have to do first to get these set up. For instance, if you are setting up an android device, you need a Gmail account. Almost all applications you load on your phone or tablet are tied to this email. That’s the hitch that the phone company didn’t tell these people when they sat on the phone with them for an hour and a half!
Once we got the basics down, we steered towards a few safety issues. I had to make sure they knew how to update their phones. This is important because not only does the cell phone company send out updates for your particular phone to fix any security issues such as holes that hackers can break into, but also app companies send out updates to keep your apps safe as well.
Some of you may be thinking, “It’s just a cell phone … How can all of this be relevant?” Today, cell phones are a part of life. They have technology that far surpasses computers of the ’70s, 80’s and even 90’s. They store our personal information, our banking information, credit cards, and the names and addresses of our loved ones. Yes, it’s important to make sure that you know how to update your phone and apps if you are going to use modern technology. And it can be a little bit of a hassle to learn. But I promise you the benefits far outweigh the negatives.
Your mind might be racing by now. You are wondering if you need a smartphone or tablet. How many of you still have flip phones? How many of you get teased by younger generations for still having flip phones?
The rest of you may be wondering if you’ve updated your phone lately. You probably didn’t even realize you needed to. Some of you may be rolling your eyes and saying “Yep! I knew all this!” Believe it or not, I have clients from the ages of 50 up to 93! And my 93-year-old client has asked me questions that have stumped me! It just proves that you are never too old to learn how to use technology.
So back to my story to finish up – the couple I was just talking about? I knew they traveled a lot. They used to work for an airline. I mentioned Google maps and suddenly a light goes on again. Can we use this in other countries? We are suddenly speed learning google maps!
Two hours later, it’s time for me to go and the wife explains that she’s embarrassed that they don’t have enough cash to pay me. She says “I can write you a check for all of it, I can write you a check for part of it and give you the majority in cash, or you can follow one of us to the ATM”. I told her there’s no need to be embarrassed and to give me the cash and write me a check for the rest. She can’t seem to get past being upset about this though, so I whipped out my personal cell phone and told them to watch. I opened my bank app, took a picture of the front of their check, a picture of the back, punched in a few numbers, and BAM! Their money was now in my bank account. There was no inconvenience of me having to go to the bank at all. It took less than a minute.
What else would you like to be able to do on your cell phone? Let me know!
It’s been a long year and a half with the Covid-19 pandemic. Other countries are starting to open up for travel. Time to start packing! But wait! What about Fido? Boarding your pet can be a tough decision.
Our pets are family members. They are loved and cherished and taken care of like our children. We buy clothes for them, make sure they are comfortable, and feed them better than we often feed ourselves. According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), for the year 2021, Americans will spend $109.6 billion on our pets – up from $58.51 billion in 2014. But what about when we travel? It’s often a hard decision to either take them with us or leave them behind. If we travel with them, which hotels accept pets? What do we do with them if we are sightseeing? The questions could go on and on. Do you choose an in-home pet sitting agency or a kennel? The same APPA report shows that Americans spend 4.73 billion dollars on grooming and boarding (2014 – I’m sure that number has doubled by now). So how do we decide the best place for our pets to stay? Here are some questions to consider:
1. Do you know anyone who uses the facility you are considering? Referrals are always the number one preferred recommendation. Ask your friends where they board their pets. Ask them why they use that particular one.
2. Is the facility clean? Does it smell clean? When it comes to pet places, smell can be an excellent indicator of cleanliness. If it smells bad, no matter how great it looks, more investigation is needed.
3. Is the staff knowledgeable and caring? You really want people around your pet who are not only loving and want to make your pet feel welcomed but also are capable of handling the situation should a medical emergency arise. Chances are, you will be too far away to get back quickly, and you need people with your pet who are aware enough to see issues starting early.
4. Can you choose for them to contact your personal vet should something happen?
5. Are beds/cots provided off the concrete floor to avoid a draft?
6. Is the kennel a comfortable temperature? A/C? Heat?
7. Does someone come in after hours to take the dogs outside? Or will they be expected to wait till morning?
8. Will they feed your food? Do they insist on feeding their “house” brand? Can I bring treats? Chew bones? Toys? You want to keep your pet on their own food if at all possible.
9. Is there a monitored fire alarm system? What about security cameras? What about remote cameras you can log into to see Fido while you are gone?
10. Are all animals required to have up-to-date immunizations?
Wow! That’s a lot to think about, but you want to make sure that your pet will have such a great time that they won’t know you are gone. Of course, that way, when you see them online or when you come home, your cat or do will be purring and wagging it’s tail!
Ask yourself one more question. “Would I sleep on the floor in a sleeping bag with my pet there?” If the answer is “No way!” don’t expect your pet to sleep there either.
Telehealth has been around since the 60s and since then has become a more widely accepted way to receive quality healthcare. Long gone are the days of scheduling a doctor’s appointment days or even weeks out. Driving to your appointment and waiting for extended periods of time and risking exposure is a thing of the past. Seniors are able to stay home and not have to wait in a waiting room with other sick people. They can feel safe.
Unlike traditional doctor’s office visits, with telehealth, you simply request a visit that can be conducted from the comfort of your home. You may choose whether to speak with a doctor over the phone or over video, depending on your condition and your device. You can use a mobile app to request a consultation, or simply use a landline phone, which is a benefit for seniors who may not have access to a smart phone or mobile device. Also, instead of waiting days or weeks, a visit can usually be scheduled the same day, sometimes within minutes, giving the ability to avoid making a trip to the doctors. “Many older Americans can benefit from being able to get care through telehealth without long trips to their doctor’s office,” said Alison Bryant, PhD, senior vice president of research for AARP. “Telehealth allows people to schedule health-related appointments, request prescription refills, and link to health care providers when time or distance is a barrier. It can also support family caregivers who are taking care of their loved ones.” One company, Capital Health Care Network out of Dayton, Ohio has begun adding telemedicine services for their nursing home patients. They have been using telehealth services “across their continuum to help seniors stay out of the hospital, recover quickly, return home safely and remain home with increased confidence and peace of mind.”
Access to telehealth for seniors, however, has been somewhat limited as far as cost goes. There are, however, other options to pay for telehealth. One company, National Telemed Solutions, does not require insurance and will cover your entire household for one small monthly cost or low annual fee. The monthly or annual fee for a membership covers every session, with no per call fees. Physicians, dermatologists, counselors and psychologists are available 24/7. Once you are on a call with a provider, they will treat it as a traditional doctor’s appointment, even prescribing medication when necessary.
Of all the conditions that may be treated through telehealth, it seems as if counseling and psychology have been the most trending since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Being able to stay home while a patient speaks with a professional has made it easier and more comfortable. Therapists and counselors are available to talk about many mental health needs such as anxiety and depression, addiction, anger management, grief and loss, relationships, PTSD, and more. According to an article by In Touch Health, this field is projected to lessen isolation-related depression in seniors. Counseling is also available through a National Telemed Solutions membership.
All of this may be beneficial, but depending on your plan, it may not cover all of the costs that incur when it comes to maintaining a disease or illness. You may or may not be required to pay for the actual telehealth visit, but all the costs associated with it such as prescriptions, x-rays, diabetic supplies and vision and hearing supplies, begin to add up. Some telehealth providers may help with costs in one way or another. The company National Telemed Solutions helps to reduce these expenses by offering a health benefits bundle, included in your membership cost. You can get network pricing of up to 70% on many medical supplies and prescriptions, including dental and vision.
Telehealth is a great way to help seniors remain independent and learn or relearn self management. Another component National Telemed Solutions includes is a concierge service that gives you direct access to professionals and experts who are available to help with certain life decisions and obstacles such as legal and financial services, medical bill negotiation, caregiver and eldercare services, relocation, debt management, wills and trusts, and retirement planning. The ability to monitor their own lives and health will help seniors continue to live normal, self-sufficient lives.
The data shows that telehealth utilization for the senior community is quickly rising and becoming more beneficial. If we can just push past the obstacles of coverage, cost and trust, we should continue to see these numbers progress. Reduced travel, reduced in person and potentially unsafe visits, reduced hospital visits, ongoing support and easy monitoring, reduced out-of-pocket costs, and increased quality of life are all excellent reasons for seniors to get on-board with telehealth. “Historically, relationships between older adults and their providers have been established and maintained through face-to-face office visits,” said Preeti Malani, MD, the University of Michigan’s poll director. “Yet, advances in telehealth technology and older adults’ greater comfort and experience with technology in everyday life are changing this paradigm.”
Sources
Stockdale, Lisa. Telemedicine Is Transforming Senior Care. Miami Valley Newspapers. Page 5. 17 September 2020.
https://www.nationaltelemedsolutions.com/
https://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/ppi/2018/05/using-telehealth-to-improve home-based-care-for-older-adults-and-family-caregivers.pdf
https://mhealthintelligence.com/news/survey-providers-need-to-make-seniors comfortable-with-telehealth
“Music can calm the savage soul”. We’ve heard that saying forever now. What about when the soul is not savage but forgetful? Damaged? Hurt? Music can be as helpful as medication sometimes, so let’s see what the benefits of it can be with Teresa Youngstrom from A Better Approach to MEMORY CARE.
In it, Teresa suggests finding music that your loved one likes to both create good energy for the person, as well as music to calm then. I suggested creating a list for yourself now, why you are still able to and keep it updated so if anything ever happens to you, that people know what your music preferences are.
I hope you enjoy and learn from the conversation we had. For more information, Teresa Youngstrom can be found at www.TeresaYoungstrom.com or at her The HIP Senior Directory Listing and Marianne Bailey can be found at www.OnlineTechLessons.com
Though there are many benefits of healthy carbohydrates, it is important that the right carbohydrates are eaten in moderation. A carbohydrate-intensive diet can cause high blood sugar and unwanted weight gain. It is important to eat an appropriate amount of carbohydrates in order to meet the body’s nutritional needs and maintain a healthy weight.
Carbohydrates are one of the 3 macronutrients along with proteins and fats that the body requires daily. There are 3 types of carbohydrates:
Starches: Starches are often referred as complex carbohydrates. They are found in grains, legumes, rice and starchy vegetable like potatoes and corn.
Sugars: Sugars are known as simple carbohydrates. There are natural sugars in vegetables, fruits, milk and honey.
Fiber: Fiber is a complex carbohydrate that occurs naturally in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and cooked dry beans and peas.
Added Sugars: Added sugars are found in processed foods, syrups, sugary drinks and sweets.
There are five primary functions of carbohydrates in the body: 1 )Provides energy, 2) Stores energy, 3) Builds macro molecules, 4) Spares protein for energy, and 5) Assists in fat metabolism.
Foods high in carbohydrates are an important part of a healthy diet. Carbohydrates provide the body with glucose which is converted to energy to support bodily functions and physical activity. The carbohydrate quality is important more so than the quantity of carbohydrates. Some types of carbohydrate rich foods are better than others:
The healthiest sources of carbohydrate are unprocessed or minimally processed whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and beans which promote good healthy food by delivering vitamins, minerals, fiber and a host of important phytonutrient.*
The unhealthiest sources of carbohydrates include white bread, pastries, sodas and other highly processed or refined foods. These items contain easily digested carbohydrates that contributes to weight gain, interferes with weight loss and promotes diabetes and heart disease.
The Healthy Eating Plate recommends filling most of your plate with healthy carbohydrates with vegetables (except potatoes) and fruits taking up about half of the plate and whole grains filling up about one fourth of the plate.
The Dietary Guidelines of America (2020-2025)* state that carbohydrates are an essential part of a healthy and balanced diet and should make up between 45-60% of the total energy intake. The average American consumes only 40-50% of calories as carbohydrates and only about half of that as fruits, grains, vegetables or other high quality or complex carbohydrates. Currently, Americans eat the other half as table sugar and high fructose corn syrup used to sweeten soda pop, cereals, prepared spaghetti sauces, fruit juices and yogurts. American eat the equivalent of more than 16 teaspoons or approximately 5 tablespoons of sugar each day or 60 pounds of table sugar and 50 pounds of corn syrup each year.
Americans need to think about complex carbohydrates a dietary staple daily in order to make changes in eating less simple and table sugars.
*Phytonutrients – non nutritive substances that are very beneficial to health.
*The Dietary Guidelins of America – 2020 -2025. US. Department of Health and Human Services. Office of Disease and Prevention and Health Promotion. Health gov. Dietary Guidelines.gov.
*MyPlate.gov Make every bite count.
