Healthy Aging® www.healthyaging.net

Tips for How To Make New Year's Resolutions You Can Keep

2011-12-29T09:14:00.000-05:00

Are you really, truly happy? If we’re honest, most of us would respond with a reluctant no. Todd Patkin—a businessman and philanthropist who kicked anxiety and depression and went on to write a book on happiness—wants you to have a different answer next year.

Happy New Year! Every January 1, in a blur of champagne and party chatter, we toss out those three little words like so much glittering confetti. They’re as much a staple of the annual milestone as Dick Clark and the Times Square ball. But how many of us take the time to think about what the phrase truly means? What is happiness, anyway? What does it look like? And—most important of all—how can we achieve it?

Todd Patkin thinks he has the answer to this question.

“We’re all longing for happiness,” says Patkin, author of Finding Happiness: One Man’s Quest to Beat Depression and Anxiety and—Finally—Let the Sunshine In. “We think we can achieve it by losing ten pounds or kicking a bad habit or making more money, and that’s why we vow to do those things year after year after year.

“But I’ve found that true happiness isn’t about those kinds of achievements,” he adds. “Instead, it comes down to learning to love yourself. And there are some very specific things you can start to do now to move in that direction.”

If you get the feeling that our nation’s overall happiness level is deteriorating, you’re right. According to a a study done by Italian researchers, Americans are less happy these days than they were thirty years ago. Culprits include longer working hours and a decline in social relationships.

Patkin has struggled with depression and anxiety for much of his life. In his book he details his own journey to happiness, from his fretful childhood to his rocky college experience to the emotional turmoil that marked the intensive years he spent growing his family auto parts business to (most recently) his philanthropic endeavors.

While Patkin admits that everyone’s path is different, he believes the real key for all of us is self-love. When we can stop beating ourselves up over our mistakes and start celebrating all the things we do right, we can finally be happy. We must change the way we think about ourselves, and for some of us that’s a major journey—but the good news is there are some specific “shortcuts” that will get us there faster.

“I’ve given it a lot of thought and I’ve come up with ten simple things people can do to become happier in 2012,” he says. “You don’t have to do all of them at once—just focus on the three or four that resonate most with you and do those.”

Here are Todd’s Top Ten Tips for a Happier 2012…and Beyond

Tips for keeping your relationship going all year long

2011-10-06T08:15:00.000-04:00

When special occasions come around, you know what that means: time to wine, dine and romance your sweetie whether you feel like it or not. What about the rest of the year? Romance is just a small part of what makes a marriage or long-term relationship successful. Dr. Howard Rankin offers tips on how to keep that relationship going all year long and not just on holidays. See the full article in the current issue of Healthy Aging Magazine by going to the website, Healthy Aging, http://www.healthyaging.net/ and clicking on the magazine cover.

Where shall I spend my next passage in life? Hmmm... how about Provence?

2011-10-04T07:30:00.000-04:00

Could Provence, France be a place to live after finishing years in the corporate world? Anne-Marie Simons shares her ideas of how she and her husband settled on Provence, France rather than the more traditional spots in the U.S. See the article in the current issue of Healthy Aging Magazine by going to the home page of Healthy Aging, http://www.healthyaging.net/ and clicking on the magazine cover. Her article begins on page 12.

Here's a tip for flipping the pages of the magazine if you are new to digital publications. You can either click on the Table of Contents in the menu bar on the left OR simply page through by clicking on the arrows at the top of the page in the toolbar.

Follow Your Passion... Make it Surfing!

2011-09-16T09:04:00.000-04:00

Fall is the perfect time for surfing... and a hot sport for the 40-plus crowd even after all those years. Check out the surfing article in this month's Healthy Aging Magazine . . . http://www.healthyaging.net/

Hurricane Irene Emergency Kit List, Food Safety Tips, Resources

2011-08-26T10:45:00.000-04:00

As Hurricane Irene moves up the East Coast and if you are within the path, here are some important links for information and tips for how to prepare. Read on...

LINKS:

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): http://www.fema.gov

FEMA's mobile site: http://m.fema.gov/

National Hurricane Center: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/index.shtml

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: During hurricane and other emergencies, veterans and their families may call 800-507-4571 for information and assistance about VA facilities. For information regarding specific VA facilities, visit http://www.va.gov/.

TIPS:

Know if you’re in an evacuation zone, and what your plan is to evacuate if local officials give the order.

If you’re not in an evacuation zone, be prepared for potential flooding and power outages. Make sure your emergency kit has supplies to sustain you, your family, and your pets for at least 72 hours.

Go to Ready.gov for information on building your emergency kit, making your family emergency plan, and staying informed. If you’re on the go, visit m.fema.gov for tips on preparing for a hurricane or tropical storm.

Visit hurricanes.gov for the latest forecast from the National Hurricane Center. And for the forecast for your local community, visit the National Weather Service website at weather.gov.

Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit:

Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation

Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food

Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both Flashlight and extra batteries

First aid kit

Whistle to signal for help

Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place

Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation

Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities

Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)

Local maps

Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

Additional Items to Consider Adding to an Emergency Supply Kit:

Prescription medications and glasses

Infant formula and diapers

Pet food and extra water for your pet

Cash or traveler's checks and change

Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container.

Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov.

Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.

Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.

Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.

Fire Extinguisher

Matches in a waterproof container

Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items

Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels

Paper and pencil

Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

Keep an appliance thermometer in the refrigerator and freezer. An appliance thermometer will indicate the temperature inside the refrigerator and freezer in case of a power outage and help determine the safety of the food.

Make sure the freezer is at 0°F or below and the refrigerator is at 40°F or below.

Freeze containers of water for ice to help keep food cold in the freezer, refrigerator or coolers after the power is out.

Plan ahead and know where dry ice and block ice can be purchased.

Have coolers on hand to keep refrigerator food cold if the power will be out for more than 4 hours. Purchase or make ice and store in the freezer for use in the refrigerator or in a cooler.

Freeze gel packs ahead of time for use in coolers.

Group food together in the freezer -- this helps the food stay cold longer.

Store food on shelves that will be safely out of the way of contaminated water in case of flooding.

Read more....http://www.healthyaging.net/

Computer killing your back and neck? Stretches and Exercises from Chair Dancing Creator

2011-07-21T08:25:00.001-04:00

For many people vigorous stand up exercise is simply out of the question. They may be obese or seriously overweight, have diabetes, an injury, or be a senior citizen with mobility issues for one reason or another. Or, what about sitting all day in front of a computer? Is there anything you can do at the office, sitting in your chair, to stretch out and keep going?

Really, can you get into better shape if all you can do is sit in a chair?

“You bet!” says Jodi Stolove, creator of Chair Dancing Fitness Programs. “There’s plenty of exercises that can be done. All you need is a chair. It’s easy and fun and can help people burn calories, improve circulation and reduce stress. It’s a convenient way to relieve pain and stress.”

Stolove says that even if you are stuck at your computer all day long, five minutes of exercise every few hours can help people stretch and relax, strengthen specific muscles and even get your heart rate up and your oxygen circulating throughout your body.

“It’s really helpful because you can loosen up and get your blood flowing any time anywhere, in any shoes or clothing without ever getting up from your chair.”

You don’t need to worry about tripping or losing balance. Exercising in a chair can be done safely in your home, or office. Here are some example stretching and toning exercises that can be done while sitting down in a chair: www.healthyaging.net

Head to Pacifica, Calif. on Aug. 8th for Surfing Contest Featuring Older Surfers

2011-07-11T09:48:00.000-04:00

Forget running and walking... grab your board and get some quality aerobic exercise surfing! Great way to improve and keep your balance, strengthen your muscles and get into the zen of the ocean. Check out surfers in their 40's, 50's, 60's as they compete in 12th Annual "Kahuna Kupuna" Benefit surf contest, Pacifica, Calif. Grab your board or just your beach towel and camera. Should be a very fun event.

Clean Up Your Diet With A Few Simple Tweaks from Author of Fat Flush Plan

2011-06-30T12:05:00.000-04:00

Solid tips to help you get off the dieting merry-go-round from nutritionist and author, Dr. Ann Louise Gittleman

1. Break that fast. Studies show that breakfast skippers have problems concentrating and a lack of sustainable energy. They reach for coffee, sweets, and sugar-laden energy drinks to give their blood sugar an immediate lift, but soon after feel drained again and on the prowl for another sugar hit. Best bet for breakfast is a lip-smacking smoothie made with a good protein powder.

2. Eat all the colors of the rainbow. You'll get all those stellar phytochemicals in seasonal vegetables and fruits. Include at least two dark, leafy greens (like kale, collards, and romaine lettuce) and brightly pigmented vegetables and fruits (like tomatoes, fresh corn, oranges, and blueberries) to compliment your daily intake of protein foods (omega-3 eggs, organic poultry, lean beef, deep sea fish, legumes, and tofu) and healthy fats (olive oil, walnuts, and chia seeds).

3. Don't eat the same foods every day. Variety is the spice of life, and the more kinds of foods you eat, the greater your chances of taking in all the important nutrients that ward off dis-ease like diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis. Strive for at least ten different kinds of foods a day instead of just a few.

4. Eat lunch like a king and dinner like a pauper.Our caloric and metabolic needs peak at midday. Work with your metabolism, not against it.

5. Use pure water as your #1 beverage. Since water is the most natural and effective diluting agent, it is important that it be used therapeutically for cleansing by drinking 8-12 8-ounce glasses a day:

· Drinking water before a meal takes the edge off your appetite.

· Water ensures normal bowel and kidney function to rid the body of waste-as well as stored fat.

· Drinking water alleviates fluid retention, since only when the body gets plenty of water will it release the stored water.

· Water gets rid of excess salt.

· Water helps plump the skin and prevents dehydration.
Water helps to prevent the sagging skin condition that often follows weight loss.

6. Try not to go more than four hours without eating.Keeping blood sugar levels steady translates into more weight loss for you.

7. Snack in the mid-afternoon. Learn to grab a handful of raw almonds, pumpkin seeds, pistachios, or an ounce of low-fat cheese with a piece of fruit.

8. If you go out to eat, ask the server to please remove the bread A.S.A.P.Instead, order a seafood cocktail or grilled Portobello mushrooms to get you started and take the edge off your hunger. This way you won't be tempted to fill up on carbs.

9. Don't desert dessert. In other words, don't deprive yourself. A little bit of a natural fruit sorbet or even fresh fruit (fresh pineapple is so good for your digestion) will give your sweet tooth just the satisfaction it needs.

10. Ensure proper dietary intake. If you eat out frequently, or are prone to skipping meals due to your hectic schedule, then consider a multivitamin to the rescue.

Dr. Ann Louise Gittleman holds an MS in Nutrition Education from Columbia University and a CNS from the American College of Nutrition. She is the author of 30 books, including The Fat Flush Plan. For further information: http://www.annlouise.com.

10 Tips for Quitting Smoking or Drinking

2011-06-25T07:45:00.000-04:00

If you are ready, willing and want to quit on your own, following these tips can lead to your success.

1. Create a vision of the primary reason you want to stop Smoking or Drinking. Make the vision a “VISION!”, i.e. When I succeed I can see myself wrestling with my grandkids, Jamie and Josh, on the family room floor full of energy, with the look of love and pure enjoyment on my face.

2. Write it down! Put your vision on a card and tape it to your cigarette pack.

3. Commit to achieving that vision over the next month. I want and deserve and intend to manifest ...[ read vision].

4. Realize that WHEN EVER you have the desire to smoke or drink, you are making a CHOICEbetween either living your VISION or being an out of shape, unenthusiastic grandparent.

5. Acknowledge that you don't HAVE to quit smoking or drinking. You ALWAYS have a choice, regardless of the consequences.

6. Recognize that it is NORMAL to have cravings. Smokers want to smoke, drinkers want to drink, hockey players want to play hockey.

7. Whenever you have a desire to smoke or drink, use the desire and an opportunity to choose to train your mind to choose your VISION instead of a cigarette (drink) " I'd like to smoke a cigarette (have a drink) but right now I choose to train myself to choose my Vision (read vision) instead.

8. Acknowledge that training is uncomfortable and the discomfort is temporary.

9. Choose to accept the temporary discomfort.

10. Realize that you are addicted and once you quit..."One will Hurt!"

Tips from Lou Ryan, www.selfhelpworks.com

50 Fascinating Facts About Growing Older

2011-05-26T06:52:00.000-04:00

Do you know... what's the average income for older adults? What skills can be developed later in life? What about the older brain? Here are some facts from Masters in Health, a site for masters degrees in healthcare.

1.The over 65 population should reach 86.7 million: Estimates put the 65+ population at 86.7 by 2050.

2.Life expectancy is increasing at a faster rate: Between 1900 and 1960, life expectancy increased by 2.4 years, but since 1960, it has increased by 3.5 years.

3.The older population is nearly 40 million strong: In 2009, there were 39.6 million people aged 65 and older.

4.Minorities make up almost half of the older population: 42% of people 65 and older in the US are part of minority groups.

5.Many elderly are poor or close to it: 16.8% of the elderly in America are poor or near poor.

6.There are more people over age 60 than under 15: Those over age 60 outnumber those under 15.

7.The elderly are the fastest growing age group: The US Census Bureau indicates that individuals 85 and up are the fastest growing age group by percentage.

For more facts and links, go to Masters In Healthcare

How to Live Forever Movie to Open May

2011-05-09T06:43:00.000-04:00

Director Mark Wexler embarks on a worldwide trek to investigate just what it means to grow old and what it could mean to really live forever. But whose advice should he take? Did the late, 94-year-old exercise guru Jack LaLanne have all the answers, or does Buster, a 101-year-old chain-smoking, beer-drinking marathoner? What about futurist Ray Kurzweil, a laughter yoga expert, or an elder porn star? Wexler explores the viewpoints of delightfully unusual characters alongside those of health, fitness and life-extension experts in this engaging new documentary, which challenges our notions of youth and aging with comic poignancy. Begun as a study in life-extension, How To Live Forever evolves into a thought-provoking examination of what truly gives life meaning.

RELEASE DATE: May 13, 2011 (NYC), May 20, 2011 (LA), June 2011 (National Expansion)

RUNNING TIME: 94 minutes/35mm and Digital/Not Rated

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://www.liveforevermovie.com/

10 Coupons for Mother's Day Shopping

2011-05-04T07:37:00.000-04:00

Mother's Day is meant to be a day of reflection and appreciation for all of the hard work mothers so gracefully take on. For some however it brings pure panic. What do I get mom this Mother's Day? What does mom even like? Will she still love me after she sees the gift I got her? How much do I have to spend?

For most mothers a simple "thank you" or "I love you" is more than enough. But we all know that a little gift of appreciation can speak volumes, and every super mom is more than deserving.

Here's a list of 10 Mother's Day coupons we received from Consumer Savings Expert, Andrea Woroch that will help you save on the pefect gift for mom.

Coupons are for Coldwater Creek, 1-800 Flowers, DSW, Teleflora, Sears, Ann Taylor, Nine West, Kate Spade, Snap Fish, and FragranceX.

List of 10 Coupons

Need a passion? Try fly fishing... it's relaxing, fun and now you can learn for free

2011-05-03T08:17:00.000-04:00

Wondering if you can find a new passion? Try fly fishing. The Orvis Company has announced the Spring/Summer 2011 line up of Fly Fishing 101 and Fly Fishing 201 classes available locally. Learning to fly fish provides families and friends with a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, relax and learn a challenging and fun new sports skill. Each class is complimentary to the public. Perfect for the beginner, Fly Fishing 101 teaches the basics of fly fishing – from casting to outfitting. Fly Fishing 201 takes participants out to the water to put their new skills to the test. The two classes meet at the local Orvis retail store and are approximately three hours in length. Reservations are required for attendance and there is a fifteen student maximum per class. More details...

Worried about joint replacement failure? New test might help you

2011-04-29T06:31:00.000-04:00

A new test shows promise for detecting the early stages of a major cause of failure in joint replacement implants, so that patients can be treated and perhaps avoid additional surgery. More than 1.5 million total joint replacement operations are performed worldwide each year. While the success rate is 90 per cent, almost 10 per cent of implants fail and require additional surgery, report appears in the ACS journal Molecular Pharmaceutics.

Dong Wang and colleagues at University of Nebraska Medical Center and the Hospital for Special Surgery of New York explain that wear and tear in a joint replacement can create tiny bits of debris that cause local inflammation and lead to bone loss. When this happens, the implant can become loose and set the stage for failure. Treatment usually comes too late, they note, since it’s difficult to detect the problem in its early stages.

“When pain or clear radiographic evidence is reported, unfortunately, considerable bone loss has already occurred, which cannot be easily restored,” the scientists note.

To provide an early diagnostic tool for implant failure, the researchers developed a polymer-based system for imaging the inflammation that is associated with the wear debris. Their tests of the imaging agent in mouse bone suggest that it can help them detect the early stages of bone loss that might cause a joint implant to become loose. They also found that they could tether a powerful anti-inflammatory drug to the polymeric system, offering a way to treat inflammation and bone loss in these early stages of wear. “Subsequent therapeutic interventions at this stage,” they write, “would permit prolongation of the lifetime of the implant with improved patient outcomes.”

Are Older Women More Romantic?

2011-04-27T06:44:00.002-04:00

If you base your decision on the Harris Poll taken of the interest in the Royal Wedding, you might come to the conclusion that older women are more romantic.

A new Harris Poll finds that Americans have a complicated relationship with the British royal family. When asked how closely they have been following the news surrounding Prince William and Kate Middleton's recent engagement and upcoming wedding, fewer than one in five U.S. adults say they have been following it closely (18%), while the majority describe themselves as not following this news closely (82%), with 42% saying they have not been following it at all. Similarly, when asked how likely they are to watch live coverage of the royal wedding when it takes place in April, only three in ten Americans say they are likely to do so (30%) yet many Americans have opinions about the successor to the British throne and Kate Middleton's class status.

Although the majority of Americans overall say that they have not been following Prince William and Kate Middleton's engagement and upcoming wedding closely (82%) and that they are not likely to watch live coverage of the royal wedding (66%), there are differences in what men and women say. Not surprisingly, women are more likely to describe themselves as following the engagement and wedding news closely (24% say this, compared to just 11% of men who do). Similarly, two in five women say they are likely to watch live coverage of the royal wedding (41%) compared to fewer than one in five men who say the same (18%).

There are also interesting generational differences—the oldest group of Americans, Matures, who are 66 years and older, are more likely than younger generations to both be following news of the engagement (24% vs. between 13% and 18%) and likely to watch live coverage of the wedding (44% vs. between 26% and 28%).

Ah, yes. Older women still must dream of marrying the prince!

Most Americans Don't Understand Health Effects of Wine and Sea Salt, Survey Finds

2011-04-26T08:11:00.000-04:00

Most Americans believe drinking wine is good for your heart but are unaware of recommended alcohol limits, and most mistakenly believe sea salt is a low-sodium alternative to regular table salt, according to a new survey about these common products.

The American Heart Association surveyed 1,000 American adults to assess their awareness and beliefs about how wine and salt affect heart health. Many studies have reported the benefits of limited wine intake for heart health and the risks of too much salt.

Seventy-six percent of those surveyed agreed with the statement that wine can be good for your heart. Drinking too much can be unhealthy, yet only 30 percent of those surveyed knew the American Heart Association's recommended limits for daily wine consumption.

If you drink any alcohol, including wine, beer and spirits, the American Heart Association recommends that you do so in moderation. Limit consumption to no more than two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women – for example, that's generally 8 ounces of wine for men and four ounces of wine for women.

Heavy and regular alcohol use of any type of alcohol can dramatically increase blood pressure. It can also cause heart failure, lead to stroke and produce irregular heartbeats. Heavy drinking can contribute to high triglycerides, cancer, obesity, alcoholism, suicide and accidents.

The survey also showed that many Americans are confused about low-sodium food choices and don't know the primary source of sodium in American diets. Excessive sodium can increase blood pressure in some people, increasing the risk of heart diseases and stroke.

Sixty-one percent of respondents incorrectly agreed that sea salt is a low-sodium alternative to table salt. Kosher salt and most sea salt are chemically the same as table salt (40 percent sodium), and they count the same toward total sodium consumption.

High-sodium diets are linked to an increase in blood pressure and a higher risk for heart disease and stroke.

Surfs Up! Celebrate International Surfing Day and Help with an Important Cause

2011-04-20T10:15:00.000-04:00

The long warm days of summer are right around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than by waxing your board on June 20, and catching some waves in honor of the 7th Annual International Surfing Day.

Founded seven years ago by the Surfrider Foundation and Surfing Magazine, International Surfing Day (ISD) unites surfers from around the world in celebration of the sport of surfing. As is tradition with the annual holiday, surfers do their part to give back to our oceans, waves and beaches through various organized events such as cleanups and restoration projects hosted by the Surfrider Foundation. Read more...

Catholic Charities USA Names 2011 Volunteer of the Year...Volunteer Literacy was Focus

2011-04-19T08:14:00.000-04:00

One Volunteer of the Year Selected from 260,000 choices and it was someone who chose helping others to read as his focus.

And the winner is... A nationwide review of 260,000 Catholic Charities volunteers has resulted in the 2011 Volunteer of the Year Award winner: Mike Schuette of Breese, IL.

For more than 15 years, Mike has supported the work of Catholic Charities of Southern Illinois. During the last ten years, he served as chair of the CCSIL Board and for the last 15 years as the chair of Poverty Services, a volunteer-run agency of CCSIL which addresses the root causes of poverty by helping people overcome barriers to gainful employment.

"Congratulations to Mike Schuette! We thank you, Mike, for the giving of your time and energy and for caring about people who are often forgotten in our society today," said Rev. Larry Snyder, president of Catholic Charities USA. "We are so blessed to have you and others like you in our midst. You inspire and challenge us."

Mike decided to get involved helping others as a teenager when his best friend unexpectedly died. "I learned that life could suddenly end and you wouldn't be able to do all the things you could have done. That motivated me."

In his early 20s, Mike started teaching prison inmates to read. A shockingly high number of them did not know how to read well or at all. "It was really neat to see somebody reading and comprehending for the first time. You could see the excitement in their eyes as they realized what a big thing they had accomplished. You felt so good for them."

After more than 30 years of volunteer literacy efforts, Mike brought his passion for helping inmates learn to read to his volunteer work for Catholic Charities of Southern Illinois. As volunteer chair, he partnered Poverty Services with a statewide group to lobby state representatives for legislation that required inmate literacy classes. Then with the help of legislators and Kaskaskia College, Mike established an incentive-paid inmate tutoring position at Illinois Correctional Centers. In Mike’s "Inmates Helping Inmates" program, prison authorities select the inmates to be trained by the community college as peer-to-peer reading tutors/teacher aides of illiterate inmate students. The program has been a phenomenal success, with reading improvement greatly increased among thousands of inmates.

To follow up on inmates leaving correctional facilities, Mike is partnering Poverty Services with Catholic Charities' St. Vincent de Paul Society, DOC Parole, Life Skills, and other referral service agencies to develop a program to extend "Inmates Helping Inmates" participants literacy classes toward GED and college as inmates re-enter society. The follow-up program also assesses for mental illness, substance abuse, social needs, and will provide each individual with contact information to locate employment and needed resources.
Schuette has also led Poverty Services in developing programs and resources to help clients find and keep employment, such as pre-employment training, transportation assistance, and business attire assistance.

After his first five years as chair of Poverty Services, Mike increased his volunteer work to serve as chair of the CCSIL Board. During his time as board chair, he worked on many committees, notably those working to raise funds for the agency, improve communications with parishes throughout the diocese, and advocate for the agency to the community and lawmakers. For over a year, Mike also served on the Diocese of Belleville's Bishop's Task Force to reorganize CCSIL to find a way for it to function with limited or no funding.

For Mike, serving others is a chance to make the world a better place. "If you are going to live here, take advantage of opportunities to serve." Mike Schuette will be honored and receive the 2011 Volunteer of the Year Award at Catholic Charities USA's Annual Gathering and Poverty Summit, September 18-21, in Ft. Worth, Texas. The Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes not only the 2011 winner, but also the invaluable contributions and work of all Catholic Charities volunteers. Volunteers nationwide are the backbone of the Catholic Charities movement. Collectively, local Catholic Charities rely on more than 260,000 volunteers each year to serve more than 9 million people of all faiths and diverse needs.

To read about the volunteer efforts of the other finalists visit: www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/volunteers

Tips for Alzheimer's Caregivers

2011-04-15T07:56:00.000-04:00

Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia in people over 65. More than 27% of American’s have a family member with Alzheimer’s.

Caring for an older loved one is never easy, but caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease presents special challenges. The Alzheimer’s Association reports that 40% of these caregivers suffer a “high” level of emotional stress. And according to a study published by the Journal of Immunology, caring for someone with Alzheimer actually shortens a person’s life by 4 to 8 years!

The truth is people with Alzheimer’s are extremely difficult to care for and live around. Seeing someone you love slowly slip away takes an incredible emotional toll.

Given the seriousness of symptoms such as memory loss, wandering and hallucination, people with Alzheimer’s many times need “around the clock” care. They cannot be left alone for a minute. And most family caregivers who try to provide this level of 24/7 care, eventually feel overwhelmed and exhausted.

Dr. Kathy Johnson, PhD, CMC, Certified Geriatric Care Manager and Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Home Care Assistance, an international provider of in-home care services, offers the following suggestions to those caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s:
1. Contact the Alzheimer's Association or the Senior Center in your city. They can help you find support groups or organizations for you to join to get information and connect with others just like you.

2. Arrange for respite care; call relatives, neighbors or friends and ask them to help. Patch together a weekly schedule of people who will fill your shoes so you can run errands, get groceries or just enjoy time off from caregiving. Home Care agencies, like Home Care Assistance, are experts in providing respite care ranging from a few hours day to 24/7 care.

3. Research Adult Day Care Centers; these are typically 9-4 daily programs where you drop off your loved one for the day. They offer a routine, safe environment.

4. Hire a Geriatric Care Manager; visit www.caremanger.org for a list of care managers in your area. These professional can help you locate and coordinate all the services your loved one needs, relieving you in the process.

9 Ways To Save Money By Leaving Your Car in the Garage and Still Get Going

2011-04-14T08:49:00.000-04:00

Despite recent hiring and economic growth in America, gas sales have fallen for five straight weeks, according to MasterCard SpendngPulse. Consumer demand increased for two months before the decline, but the change came when gas prices shot up above $3.50 in all but one state.

Consumer Savings Expert, Andrea Woods has 9 tips to save money while gas prices are so high.

About 70 percent of the nation's major gas-station chains say sales have fallen, according to a March survey by the Oil Price Information Service. More than half reported a drop of 3 percent or more, the steepest decline since the summer of 2008, when gas soared past $4 a gallon.

While some drivers have learned to hunt for better prices on gas -- often sold much more cheaply in the suburbs and far from highways -- others are finally checking out trains, buses, bikes and other alternative methods of transportation. Read on for nine ways to save without driving your gas guzzling vehicle.

1. Public Transportation

While budgetary cutbacks have impacted public transportation, many cities and even rural areas offer some form of service. It might take longer to get around via buses, subways and trains, public transport allows you to leave that gas guzzler in the garage.

Don't overlook other opportunities provided by public transportation. Freed from focusing on the road, you can get some work done, make new friends or catch up on email, Facebook, Twitter and cat videos.

2. Bicycle

Winter storms make bicycling impossible in some locations, but peddling your way to work or around town during inclement weather is both cheaper and better for your body. Many places now offer bike lanes, making this form of transportation much safer. Bike libraries or leasing services are increasing in popularity, allowing you to either borrow a bicycle or pay a minimal fee. Some employers even encourage biking by providing a financial incentive and, on occasion, in-house showers with a more casual dress code.

3. Car Pool

Sure it's a bit more complicated to commute when you have to work around other people's schedules, but you'll also have access to those speedy car-pooling lanes. Various cities offer government-organized car pool services, with some even providing the vehicle. As with public transport, you'll also have extra time to work, put on your makeup, text friends or simply lay back and take a nap. For help coordinating a carpool, check out PickupPal which connects drivers with passengers through social networking tools.

4. Walk

We have legs and feet for a reason. Hit the pavement and get some exercise, whether by power walking, jogging or simply sauntering.

5. Scooters

These "mini-bikes" are popular in Europe because of super high gas prices. They're light, agile, and usually much less expensive than motorcycles. While you can't use a scooter on highways, they're perfect for short commutes or trips around town.

6. Segways

These new-age transport vehicles are considered somewhat geeky, but John Hinkenlooper was recently elected Colorado governor despite his propensity for Segways. They're great for getting around town and actually are quite fun to ride.

7. Shop Online

Surfing the Web for everything from groceries to clothes and auto parts allows you to cruise your favorite shops without wasting gas. With the increase in free shipping offers from stores like Lands' End and JCPenney shopping online is even cheaper this year, and consumers have rapidly caught on. A sharp climb in the number of retailers offering free shipping deals helped boost online sales by 24 percent in 2010.

8. Telecommute

Skype, the "cloud," email and other 21st Century innovations make it even easier to telecommute. Working just one or two days a week from home will cut your gas bill by roughly a fourth or fifth -- not so shabby a savings! Consider hosting mandatory business meetings online using virtual platforms like GoToMeetings, which uses a web conferencing tool that allows attendees to share applications in real time.

9. Electric and Hybrid Cars

Kelley Blue Book recently rated the 2011 Nissan Leaf as first in its "Top 10 Green Cars for 2011." The Leaf not only gets 73 miles per charge (the equivalent of 99 miles per gallon), but it's also made with recycled materials. (Just thought you might like to know that detail.) The 2011 Chevy Volt placed second as the "most fun" electrically driven car and the Toyota Prius, the original and most-popular hybrid, rounded out the top three. Click here for the complete list.

A Knead to Win... Finalists Vie for Bread Baking Crown in National Contest

2011-04-13T05:44:00.000-04:00

Eight finalists will vie for more than $10,000 in cash and prizes at the second National Festival of Breads in Wichita this June.

After weeks of analyzing recipes, kneading, mixing, baking, and testing, a panel of judges selected the finalists' recipes in a taste test on April 6 in Manhattan, Kan. Eight recipes emerged as clear-cut finalists, according to Cindy Falk, nutrition educator for the Kansas Wheat Commission and chair of the National Festival of Breads.

“These eight recipes encompass an exciting array of flavor profiles, baking techniques and skill levels from amateur bakers across the country. We look forward to meeting these contestants in Kansas this summer when they participate in the National Festival of Breads," Falk said.
The finalists include:

Ethnic Breads
Mary Allen, Troy, Ohio - Tart Cherry Schiacciata
Teresa Cardin, Valley Mills, Texas - Apple Cider Cranberry Bread

Rolls
Lois Dowling, Tacoma, Washington - Triple Tangerine Twirling Treats
Robin Porter, Lilburn, Georgia - Jalapeno Cheddar Wheat Hamburger Buns

Time-Saving and Easy Breads
Patricia Harmon, Baden, Pennsylvania - Fruit-of-the-Vine and Rosemary Olive Oil Snack Bread with Pine Nuts
Gale Collier, Redmond, Oregon - Quick Raisin Granola Breakfast Rolls

Whole Grain Breads
Jamie Swisher, High View, West Virginia - Sweet Wheat Bread
Candy McMenamin, Lexington, South Carolina - Charred Lime Ginger Sweet Rolls

“We are so pleased to see the baking creativity demonstrated in our finalists’ recipes,” says Tom Payne, director of marketing for King Arthur Flour. “These finalists represent some of the best home bread baking in the country, and we look forward to bringing them together to learn and to compete this summer in Wichita.”

Finalists will come to "the Heart of Wheat Country," Wichita, Kan., from June 23-25, to bake their creations at the National Festival of Breads. While in Kansas, contestants will participate in a host of additional activities, including a Wheat Harvest Tour, VIP Concert with the Diamond W Wranglers, and more.

Finalists will compete in a live baking showdown on June 25. The grand prize winner will receive a cash prize of $2,500, plus a year's supply of Fleischmann's Yeast and an expenses-paid trip to the King Arthur Flour Baking Education Center in Norwich, Vermont.

In addition to the finalists, several Special Award winners were named, including:

Cranberry Award
Robin Haas, Cranston, Rhode Island - Sweet Potato Cranberry Bacon Rolls

Raisin Award
Gale Collier, Redmond, Oregon - Quick Raisin Granola Breakfast Rolls

White Whole Wheat Award
Candy McMenamin, Lexington, South Carolina - Charred Lime Ginger Sweet Rolls

Bread Sculpture Award
Jane Fry, Elk Falls, Kansas - Sunflower and Wheat Bread Sculpture

Details about the 2011 National Festival of Breads, past recipes, and more are available on the official contest website, http://www.nationalfestivalofbreads.com/.

Shop Til You Drop Has New Meaning. Calling all Shoppers...It may be good for you!

2011-04-12T07:19:00.000-04:00

Head to the mall and live longer!

The latest form of recognized “therapy” might well be “retail therapy” or SHOPPING! A dose of regular retail therapy really does seem to help people live longer, according to research published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.

Those who shopped daily were 27 percent likely to live longer than those who did not. The authors of the study which took place in Taiwan of almost 2000 older adults suggest that shopping may improve health in ways beyond the mental rush. Frequent shopping may not always be about buying things, but about mental stimulation, exercise and all of the social implications like interacting with others and the companionship of shopping with someone.

“Shopping captures several dimensions of personal wellbeing, health, and security as well as contributing to the community's cohesiveness and economy, and may represent or actually confer increased longevity,” the researchers conclude.

Will a study on the health value of returning what they bought be far behind? In the meantime, head for the mall – it is good for you.

Bodies have different reasons for weight gain. Author, Dr. Eric Berg, shares his views

2011-04-11T08:09:00.000-04:00

Belly fat, also known as visceral fat is highly sensitive to stress and is under control of hormones. Dieting or the restriction of calories tends to increase stress activating that belly fat hormone called cortisol.

Everyone knows that exercise increases the burning of calories. However, exercise is a type of stress and workouts tend to add stress unless the intensity is low. You may be burning calories but very little fat calories. Instead, the type of calories you are burning are mostly sugar calories - triggering the cycle of cravings-binging-weight gain. This explains the eight months of treadmill with very little results in the midsection.

No one diet will work wonders for every body. Bodies have different reasons for weight gain, one to the next. There are exact reasons that cravings remain or become worse, why omitting certain foods won't lose inches, and also why certain types of exercise won't reduce weight at all. Dr. Eric Berg, 24-year-veteran chiropractor specializing in weight loss, has made breakthrough discoveries that isolate these reasons and principals and details them in his new book The 7 Principles of Fat Burning.

Read the article

Napa Valley for two? Check out the sweepstakes by R.W. Knudsen Family

2011-04-08T06:23:00.000-04:00

Win a trip for two to Napa Valley through RW Knudsen sweepstakes

To celebrate its 50th anniversary this year, R.W. Knudsen Family® has launched “The Grape Escape,” a consumer sweepstakes that will award a grand prize trip for two to Napa Valley, Calif. The promotion honors where the company was founded – on an organic grape vineyard in Northern California. The Grape Escape will provide a 6-night, 7 day vacation for two including transportation, hotel, spa package and local activities.

The promotion will run through June 30, 2011. Entry details and a registration form can be found at http://www.RW50.com. The sweepstakes winner will be announced in the summer of 2011.

Along with The Grape Escape promotion, R.W. Knudsen Family is celebrating its historic anniversary with:

* Product prizes distributed throughout the year from the R.W. Knudsen Family Facebook and Twitter pages.

* Specially designed commemorative bottles of Sparkling Concord Grape Juice available for online giveaways.

* 50 Healthy Living Tips, historic company timeline and video available at http://www.rwknudsenfamily.com/rwk50.

More men going under the knife

2011-04-04T06:15:00.000-04:00

Plastic surgery for men? Yup, it’s happening ... and in a big way. Carly Simon’s lyrics “you’re so vain” ring true today as more men are going under the knife. Statistics released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) show overall cosmetic plastic surgery procedures in men were up 2 percent in 2010 compared to 2009. However, many male surgical procedures increased significantly. Facelifts for men rose 14 percent in 2010 while male liposuction increased 7 percent.

2010 ASPS statistics show that men underwent more than 1.1 million cosmetic procedures, both minimally-invasive and surgical. The majority of the Men's Top 10 fastest-growing cosmetic procedures are surgical, which bucks the previous trend of growth in minimally-invasive treatments.

"The growth in cosmetic surgical procedures for men may be a product of our aging baby boomers who are now ready to have plastic surgery," said ASPS President Phillip Haeck, MD. "Minimally-invasive procedures such as Botox® and soft tissue fillers work to a point. However, as you age and gravity takes over, surgical procedures that lift the skin are necessary in order to show significant improvement."

Men's Top Ten: Fastest-Growing Male Cosmetic Procedures

NCOA Launches One Away Campaign for Elder Economic Security

2011-04-01T07:48:00.000-04:00

More than 13 million older adults are considered economically insecure, living on just $21,780 a year or less. Every day, these seniors, and millions of Boomers, have to choose whether to pay for food, housing, utilities, or out-of-pocket for medication costs. They live one bad break, one accident, or one layoff away from economic disaster.

To spotlight their struggles—and call for change—the National Council on Aging (NCOA) is launching One Away, an innovative, national advocacy campaign that uses video to allow older adults to tell their own stories, in their own words. One Away videos and stories are available at www.OneAway.org.

“We are already receiving real stories of seniors who are struggling,” said Sandra Nathan, senior vice president for economic security at NCOA. “It’s clear that vulnerable older adults are in desperate need of help and want to be heard.”

National Poll Shows Depth of Problem

Almost two-thirds (63%) of adults aged 18+ said they or an older adult they know is struggling to make ends meet in today’s economy, according to the new One Away poll. A majority (62%) also knows that one out of three older adults relies on Social Security for over 90% of their income.

Commissioned by NCOA and conducted online in March 2011 by Harris Interactive, the One Away poll of 2,526 adults aged 18 and older also found that 80% of adults know that older workers who lose a job are more likely to face very long-term unemployment, up to 99 weeks or more. In spite of this harsh reality, the House of Representatives recently passed legislation to cut funding by 64% for the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), our nation’s only jobs program designed to help older Americans in need. The cut would result in the loss of over 83,000 jobs.

At the same time, some economic challenges facing older adults are less-well known to the public:

· Fewer than 1 out of 5 people (19%) are aware of the scale of senior credit card debt, which averages $10,000.

· Only 34% are aware that people over age 65 make up the fastest-growing segment of the population seeking bankruptcy protection.

· Almost three-quarters (72%) either underestimated or did not know that nearly 6 million seniors are at risk of going hungry every day.

“The struggles seniors are facing are all too often overlooked or dismissed,” said James Firman, president and CEO of NCOA. “This campaign is about elevating their voices, and we need Congress to catch up to the realities of their constituents and develop concrete solutions to make life better for our seniors.”

Full poll results can be found at www.OneAway.org/Press.

As part of the One Away campaign, NCOA has also published A Blueprint for Increasing the Economic Security of Older Adults: Reauthorizing the Older Americans Act. The report outlines specific recommendations to improve elders’ economic security through reauthorization of the Older Americans Act (OAA), which is scheduled to occur this year. The full paper can be found at www.ncoa.org/EconomicSecurity.

Funding for the One Away campaign was provided by The Atlantic Philanthropies.

Local Advocacy Partners

Central to One Away are Local Advocacy Partners, leading service organizations in 14 states who are capturing video stories of older adults in their communities, coordinating broad outreach to their own networks, and providing a powerful local voice to the One Away national campaign.

Current partners include:

California: Family Service Agency of San Francisco, www.fsasf.org
Colorado: Seniors’ Resource Center, Denver, www.srcaging.org
Illinois: Age Options, Oak Park, www.ageoptions.org
Iowa: The Heritage Agency, Cedar Rapids, www.involvementonline.org
Maryland: Maintaining Active Citizens, Salisbury, www.macinc.org
Minnesota: Minnesota Women’s Consortium, St. Paul, www.mnwomen.org
New York: Council of Senior Centers and Services of NYC, www.cscs-ny.org
Pennsylvania: The Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly (CARIE), Philadelphia, www.carie.org
Washington: Senior Services, Seattle, www.seniorservices.org
Wisconsin: Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups, Madison, www.cwag.org
North Carolina, Texas, Vermont, and Kentucky pending

Healthy Aging® www.healthyaging.net: Tap Your Innergy to Lose the Weight—Before It’s Too Late by Carole Carson, guest blogger

2011-04-01T07:00:00.001-04:00

Healthy Aging® www.healthyaging.net: Tap Your Innergy to Lose the Weight—Before It’s Too Late by Carole Carson, guest blogger

Tap Your Innergy to Lose the Weight—Before It’s Too Late by Carole Carson, guest blogger

2011-04-01T07:00:00.000-04:00

Why do some people succeed in losing weight while others fail? Why do some people pick themselves up when they fall down while others remain immobilized? And after having failed repeatedly to lose weight, why have some of us given up hope?

The answer resides in our ability (or inability) to tap into our innergy. Innergy is the emotional home inside us that holds our dreams, hopes and vision for ourselves. Once we find and touch this site, we find the energy, motivation and will to change our habits. Others can inspire us, educate us, train us and cook for us. But to succeed, we have to self-manage our way through a maze of daily decisions. Only inside our hearts do we find the innergy to guide our decisions and make our visions a reality.

Dr. Ian Smith, founder of the 50 Million Pound Challenge and author of The 4 Day Diet, affirms that neither he nor anyone else can motivate others to adopt a healthier lifestyle and lose weight. “This,” he says, “is a decision that only one person can make—the person seeking health and fitness. Each of us must find our core motivation. Whether the desire to change is triggered by health or vanity doesn’t matter. What matters is that the person connects with this core motivation and consistently reconnects with these values over time.”

Approaching my 60th birthday, I tapped into my innergy before it was too late—before my body was irreversibly damaged by surplus pounds and a sedentary lifestyle and before I suffered chronic or fatal medical problems. Armed with this newfound strength, I moved steadily toward fitness and weight loss. After losing 60 pounds, I went from being in the 90th percentile for risk of cancer, heart disease and stroke to a risk in the 50th percentile. Most of my medications were reduced or eliminated.

Because of my excitement about the positive changes in my life, I’ve since used my time and talent to help others undergo similar transformations—before it’s too late.

In the course of my self-appointed mission, I’ve had conversations with dozens, if not hundreds, of individuals who are struggling to lose weight and become fit. I commonly hear despair in the stories from individuals who have tried and failed to make changes, just as I had tried and failed for over 40 years.

As I did, they mistakenly believe that the problem of excess weight arises from overeating. If they could just stick with a diet, they reason, they could lose weight. Moreover, these individuals believe I succeeded because I have willpower.

They are mistaken. I am not blessed with surplus willpower; however, once I tapped into my innergy, I became a good student of my body and emotions. I discovered, for example, that overeating was not the problem. Rather, overeating was my overused solution to the stress and discomfort of everyday life. I had to learn more healthful ways of coping that would reinforce my commitment to living healthfully.

Dr. Martin Binks, former director of Behavioral Health at the Duke Diet & Fitness Center and coauthor of The Duke Diet, says that “any unhealthy coping solution we overuse (shopping, eating, smoking or drinking alcohol, for example) to the exclusion of other more helpful ones (talking it out with friends, exercising to reduce stress, for example) creates new problems.” Dr. Binks assures us that “successful lifestyle changes are determined less by the strength of our willpower than by our willingness to learn new skills and different ways of coping.”

Here are three ways to tap your own innergy to help you lose weight and get fit (FIT):

F: Figure out and list the different ways you can comfort yourself—from a hot shower to a walk outdoors to an escape into a good book. Create a personalized buffet of coping options from which to choose when you feel discouraged, fatigued or out of sorts.

I: Invent yourself anew. Learn new ways to cook that are healthy and less fattening. Learn fun new ways to exercise that you thoroughly enjoy. Experiment with tennis, dancing, Pilates, swimming, walking, bodybuilding, yoga or other forms of exercise until you find one or two that make you feel like a kid again.

T: Tell everyone about your heartfelt dream to nourish and care for your body and the gift of life it represents. Enroll your friends and family to support you and to tackle their own fitness goals. You can inspire others just as they can inspire you. Fortunately, our bodies are wonderfully forgiving. If it isn’t too late, our bodies respond magnificently and quickly when we adopt healthful habits.

In contrast to the estimated $60 billion Americans will spend on diet products in 2011—from diet books to unregulated supplements promising magical weight loss based on a medical breakthrough—these three tips are practical and inexpensive to implement.

Note that these tips require action and accountability on your part—unlike the typical diet products that promise quick and effortless weight loss, encourage your dependency on the product, require up-front payment and may be harmful to your health.

The irony is that innergy—the essential element needed for fitness and weight loss—is free. No one can sell it to you, nor can anyone take it away from you. The very quality that allows you to set your lifestyle change in motion resides with you and is connected to your deepest values. Our ability to make this emotional connection is the source of our transformation.

Once you tap into your innergy, you will naturally adopt a new mind-set. Having tapped into this powerful source of motivation, you will not want to revert to your former lifestyle. You can fall down. You can stumble. You can veer off track. But you won’t go back. Going forward, you can be confident that your innergy will help you remain committed and guide your daily decision making. Drawing on your innergy will allow you to realize fitness and weight loss beyond your wildest dreams. And it’s yours for the taking.

Carole Carson is a fitness advocate and the author of From Fat to Fit: Turn Yourself into a Weapon of Mass Reduction, which chronicles her own 62-pound weight loss and the inspirational Nevada County Meltdown. Visit www.fromfat2fit.com for more information.

Marketing to baby boomers - Healthy Aging Magazine guest blogs in MediaPost

2011-03-31T14:37:00.000-04:00

Keep The Active Lifestyle In Mind

There's no question the Baby Boomer market is an important one for marketers to target. However, when marketing to Boomers, it is essential to focus on the active nature of this population base. It's not just their age, experience and disposable income that make this group attractive -- it's their way of life. Individuals in their early 60s are living life as if they were still 40.

Thus, we should continue to engage them with that active lifestyle in mind. For these individuals, quality-of-life issues are essential. Whether it's health care decisions, lifestyle choices or consumer purchases, these Boomers are making decisions based upon what's essential for maintaining their quality of life.

When I started working on the concept of The Healthy Aging brand over 15 years ago, no one wanted to talk about growing older. Finally, Baby Boomers are starting to see they need good information -- and not just stuff about how decrepit they are or will be. They want to know, "how can I actively pursue my next 50 years?"

Read more here on MediaPost

Looking for a job? eBay Classifieds map shows where they are..state by state

2011-03-29T07:35:00.000-04:00

Where the jobs are

eBay Classifieds created a hot jobs map of America that shows which states in the US are the best to find employment. Reports show that 190,000 new jobs were created in February, and eBay Classifieds, who are all about helping people find jobs, show where these are.

The research to create the map looked at personal income per capita, unemployment rates, and crime rates in each state to determine which states have the most buoyant economies in this still very difficult economic climate. eBay Classifieds then researched the largest occupations and the fastest growing occupations in each state it, then found which cities had the largest median salary in each state to determine which industries were the best for finding a job.

Regional findings:

New Hampshire: New Hampshire has the lowest crime rates in the country, the 4th lowest unemployment rates, and the 9th highest personal income per capita, making it the most economically buoyant state in the country.

New York: New York City's median salary, $64,535, is lower than 10 other states' highest median salaries.

Connecticut: Connecticut has the highest personal income per capita in the country, at $56,556.

Maryland: Fans of The Wire will be unsurprised to learn that although parts of Maryland are very wealthy, the state has the 7th highest crime rates in the country.

Rhode Island: Rhode Island has the 15th highest personal income per capita figures, as well as 18th lowest crime rates, but its high unemployment figures (46th) keep it in the middle of the pack.

California: Sunnyvale, CA, has the highest median salary of all the states' highest paying cities, but California's high unemployment rates (12.9%, or 3.1% higher than the national average) means it's not as economically buoyant overall as other states.

South Carolina: South Carolina has the fifth highest unemployment rates, the third highest crime rates, and the fourth lowest per capita income. Still, its city with the highest median income, Aiken, has a higher median income than 18 other states'.

Check out more job info here.

Tax Tip: Health Savings Accounts Offer Consumers a Way to Save Tax Free for Medical Care

2011-03-28T07:55:00.000-04:00

As you sit down to do your taxes this year, take a look at line 25 on Form 1040. It reads “Health savings account deduction,” which can mean more affordable health care coverage for your family with tax advantages to boot.

You can count contributions to your health savings account (HSA) through April 18, 2011, the tax filing deadline, toward your 2010 taxes. HSA contributions are tax deductible up to $3,050 for individuals and up to $6,150 for families.

HSAs have two components: a tax-advantaged savings account coupled with a lower-premium, high-deductible health insurance plan. HSA-qualified high-deductible health plans often cost significantly less in premiums than more traditional health insurance while still providing quality coverage, including preventive care.

Money you save on your health insurance premiums can be deposited into an HSA and qualify as a tax deduction on line 25 on your Form 1040. Your HSA dollars grow tax deferred and can be withdrawn tax free as long as you use them for qualified medical expenses, which includes your health plan deductible as well as vision and dental care not covered by health insurance plans. Read more...

How 3 People "Got Fit" When They "Got Older"

2011-03-25T07:33:00.000-04:00

Getting back into shape, staying in shape, or starting a plan for the first time is not easy. We all want that 'silver bullet'... the easy diet that makes miracles happen in three weeks, the piece of exercise equipment guararteeing abs or buns of steel in five minutes a day. We want inspiration and a plan.

Healthy Aging Magazine features three people who took the bull by the horns and just "did it"... Be inspired and get started today.

Meet Tosca Reno who weighed 204 pounds at age 40 and decided to change her life. She sought out a personal trainer and lost the weight and gained vitality. She shares a sample workout and tips from her book "Your Best Body Now...Look and Feel Fabulous at Any Age the Eat Clean Way.

Be inspired by Cleve who needed a wake up call after turning 60. His waistline had expanded, his cholesterol was red-lining and his medicine cabinet was bursting with warning labels, all fueled by a stressfl job as a senior banking officer. He returned to riding his bicycle and dropped 30 pounds, lowered his cholesterol and is a new man.

Rich, 72, was plagued with back pain for a long time. Facing the possibility of surgery, he decided to try exercising but was not sure how to go about it. He turned to a local gym and fitness center, Mitch's Market Street Gym, West Chester, PA and head trainer, Doug Slabach. After about a month, he was 100 percent better and did not have to have surgery.

Read about Tosca, Cleve and Rich and their training routines in Healthy Aging Magazine.

Willie & The Nelson Family Sing 'Wild Horses' - Country Music Legend Covers Stones Classic to Help Protect America's Horses

2011-03-23T07:16:00.000-04:00

It's Time for the cowboys to stand up for the horses

The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) announces the exclusive release of the Rolling Stones' classic "Wild Horses," performed and produced by the legendary Willie Nelson and his family members. Willie & The Nelson Family are donating the proceeds from the sale of the song to AWI's campaigns on behalf of wild and domestic horses. Willie and the entire Nelson family are long-time supporters of AWI and its efforts to end horse slaughter and preserve the right of wild horses to roam free.

"The BLM has been rounding them up at an alarming rate, supposedly for their own good. Sadly, there are more wild horses in holding pens than in the wild. Something is wrong with that, so we must act now before the BLM has managed these magnificent animals into extinction," said Willie Nelson. "It's time for the cowboys to stand up for the horses."

The Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act was enacted in 1971 to halt the disappearance of these iconic animals from public lands in the American West. Since then, however, over 20 million acres of land set aside by Congress for wild horses have been removed from their range, even as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)-the very agency charged with their protection-claims there is not enough land to support existing herds. The BLM is unnecessarily removing horses based on spurious claims of damage to range and other adverse impacts. The BLM's mismanagement of America's wild horses is largely designed to benefit a livestock industry that has for decades, exploited western public lands while profiting from massive subsidies funded by taxpayer dollars. Willie & The Nelson Family and AWI are calling on the BLM and the Obama administration to immediately halt all wild horse round-ups, restore the land provided by law to wild horses and to stop warehousing horses on private lands at even greater expense to the taxpayer.

Read more...

Baby Boomers Turning 65 This Year... "Will you still need me"

2011-03-19T08:43:00.002-04:00

If you we remember when the Beetles song came out with the lyrics “Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I’m 64”, then you are probably wondering the answer to that one right now. The baby boomers who were teens then are starting to turn 65 this year. Healthy Aging Magazine takes a look at what that means... http://www.healthyaging.coverleaf.com/healthyaging/2011premier#pg8

HotelsCombined.com Names Best Irish Pubs to Welcome in St Patrick's Day in 2011

2011-03-11T08:28:00.000-05:00

Just as physical fitness is part of successful aging, so are social gatherings and celebrating special holidays. In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, Thursday, March 17, HotelsCombined.com has named the best Irish pubs around the world as places to welcome in the special day.

Slainte! (that means health by the way).

1. Guinness Storehouse (Dublin, Ireland) – If you happen to be in Dublin this St Paddy's Day, a visit here is a must. The Guinness Storehouse will host a festival in honour of the Irish patron saint, and probably the most famous beer in the world. There is live music and entertainment, dance troops, complimentary local seafood, Guinness tastings (naturally) and much more. It's a great excuse to be Irish for the day, not that you ever need one. So if you're heading over to the Emerald Isle, check out the list of Dublin hotels.

2. Galway Arms (Chicago, Illinois) – The Galway Arms combines tradition (no gimmicks here) and Gaelic cheer to create a perfect complement to the city's historic St Patrick's Day celebration, which begins with the world-famous dyeing green of the Chicago River on March 12. Their authentic Smithwicks braised corned beef is a must to weigh the Guinness down! Check the list of hotels in Chicago.

3. O'Neill's Islington (London, England) – On St Patrick's Day, the atmosphere which O'Neill's Islington is famous for will be turned up a notch with live music, great food with an Irish twist and perfectly poured pints of the black stuff. If you plan to celebrate in Blighty, browse our list of London hotels.

4. McSorley's Old Ale House (New York City, New York) – New York City's oldest continuously operated saloon – everyone from Abe Lincoln to John Lennon has passed thru McSorley's swinging doors. Enter the sawdust strewn floors and history patched walls on St Patrick's Day to drink either McSorley's Light or Dark ale; they are the only options (easy to remember the drink orders). See the list of New York City hotels to help you get into the St Patrick's Day spirit in the Big Apple.

5. The Irish Embassy (Toronto, Canada) – Famous not only for its beers, but also for the quality of its homemade Irish fare. Wash the Guinness down with a few patron favorites, such as Jameson chicken liver pate, traditional Irish stew and Kilkenny battered haddock. If you come late and the place is full, you can always drop into their sister location at Quinn's Steakhouse and Irish pub, eh! All the information you need to get a Toronto hotel deal is right here.

6. The Snug (Boston, Massachusetts) – When the largest ethnic group in Boston are the Irish, how can you go wrong on St Patrick's Day? The Snug menu has the traditional corned beef boiled dinner, as well as other favorites, including Ellen's homemade Sheppard's pie and their award-winning, secret recipe steaks. Guinness will be poured all day, along with 13 additional draft beers from around the world. So brush up on your Boston slang and get the best Boston hotel deals right here.

7. Fado Irish Pub (Washington D.C., Washington) – The pub was actually designed with materials that were shipped over from Ireland, hard to get more genuine than that. A week of festivities is scheduled, commencing on March 10 and there's no better way to kick off your St Patrick's Day than with a Guinness at 7am and an afternoon of live music and Irish dancers (well, maybe there is, but not on this day). All the Washington D.C hotel deals right here.

8. Durty Nelly's (Sydney, Australia) – Each year on March 17, Sydney's most traditional Irish pub becomes the scene of one of the city's biggest St Patrick's Day celebrations. Durty Nelly's Bar will provide non-stop entertainment all day long, with a traditional Irish music session, Irish dancers, along with Tayto's, Magners Irish Cider and plenty of Guinness! For those wanting to celebrate in a more relaxed environment, their restaurant, The Print Room, offers a traditional Irish menu designed by Head Chef Damien Grimes from Tipperary. Browse the Sydney hotel deals and find a bargain.

9. Dogs Bollix (Auckland, New Zealand) – This little Irish pub has a big reputation, putting on something to entertain the punters every night and St Patrick's Day is no exception. Don't worry about the suspicious sounding name, the place has a great vibe and will be packed with Kiwis and all-comers on St Pat's Day. Find an Auckland hotel deal here.

10. Dublin Irish Pub (Ushuaia, Argentina) – Dublin doesn't feel so far away especially on St Patrick's Day with the lively banter and Guinness at this dimly lit foreigners' favorite. Just because you happen to be in the southern most point of the world is no reason to miss out. You'll need a place to crash (it gets to almost 0 degrees at night), so get yourself a hotel bargain in Ushuaia.

How Do I Keep My Job in Today’s Economy

2011-03-10T07:20:00.000-05:00

With some economists estimating the "real unemployment" rate now at more than 17 percent, many employees lucky enough to still have their jobs are now trying to do everything they can to hold onto them.

These workers are asking themselves: "How do I keep my job? How can I make myself indispensable at work?"

Author and Yale MBA Ingrid Stabb may have the answers. In her well-received book, "The Career Within You," Stabb says that playing to career strengths that are natural to personality type makes employees invaluable in the workplace.

"The Career Within You," co-authored with personality-type expert Elizabeth Wagele, uses an innovative strengths assessment questionnaire to help readers determine what intangible internal assets can be capitalized on for job security. Here are some of the ideas and tips to help you keep your job.

Boost your productivity perception

Recent studies show that unlike in years past when your age or a high pay rate might have caused you job security worries, these days your position is solid as long as you are perceived as highly productive.

Socialize just enough

Make an effort to socialize with younger coworkers to be seen as an integral part of the team’s morale. Attend company happy hours or girls’ nights out. Celebrate birthdays and invite individuals in other departments to lunch. See and be seen in the political landscape of the company. However, be sure to also protect your image as a highly productive employee. Make sure you don’t talk so much at work that you are slowing down operations around you.

Be known for productive emails

So many people get caught in the trap of spending three minutes apiece on up to 100 daily emails amounting to five hours a day of reading and responding. At this rate, the company is investing over half of your salary into email management. With this time sink, you might as well change your current title to “Specialist In Charge of Email,” but this is not why your boss hired you. Here are some tips for taming the inbox beast: use the subject line to summarize, e.g. “Subject: Decision on t-shirt order needed by Thursday.” Avoid “replying all” and using “bcc” because it proliferates responses back to you as well as the time others need to spend reading your emails. Edit forwarded messages by adding a summary sentence the reader can scan in a few seconds rather than scrolling for several minutes through a long thread to search out the crux of the message. Respond to people with one-two sentences instead of one-two paragraphs! And turn off the notification pop-up boxes on your screen so that you can focus on finishing your important projects only to check email at set intervals each day.

Look energetic

Don’t let your appearance lie about your skills and productivity. Keep your appearance up-to-date and fresh so that you don’t give the impression your computer skills are as outdated as your ten-year-old sweater. Update your hairstyle and glasses to fit the latest trends. Go shopping once a quarter for a new outfit, jacket or shoes. Stay physically fit. If you look too sedentary people might assume you move slowly on your work too.

MORE TIPS

10 Ways To Combat Escalating Food Prices from Consumer Savings Expert, Andrea Woroch

2011-03-08T06:57:00.000-05:00

If you have the time, you can research store savings and save at the check-out

Watching cashiers ring up purchases at the grocery store is becoming more painful every day. Unfortunately, things are about to get much worse, particularly for low-income consumers who don't have ready access to discount supermarkets.

According to the United Nations, global food prices hit a record high in February due to upward-spiraling gas prices and stockpiling by importers. These factors are hitting the already volatile cereal markets. Wheat, corn, sugar and edible oils have seen the sharpest price increases in the last six months, with a relatively smaller increase in rice. Produce has already skyrocketed, with prices expected to rise by roughly one-fourth to one-third in the next year.
Such price increases and the resulting extreme poverty are partially credited with recent public unrest that toppled leaders in Tunisia and Egypt and sparked further unrest in North Africa and the Middle East.

So what's an American consumer to do? Here are 10 ways to combat rising food prices.

1. Shop Warehouse Stores

Not all prices are better at membership stores, particularly if you tend to go overboard, but there are some really good deals to be had. Look for great buys on perishable items and shop towards the end of the day, when department managers want to unload extra inventory.

2. Use Coupons

Now's the time to get in on the extreme-couponing trend, particularly since there are so many ways to access them these days. You'll find coupons online in both Internet-code or downloadable (IP) form.. Mobile coupons are as close as your cell phone. CellFire is a great source for grocery savings.

Don't overlook the coupons that print out with your receipt at the register. Known as Catalinas, these coupons are targeted towards the purchases you've made that day. Some stores, like King Soopers, also allow you to stack manufacturer and store coupons for additional savings. Not all supermarkets allow you to stack, however, so check first.

3. Hit Dollar Stores

Whether you cruise the narrow aisles of Dollar General or hit one of the smaller chains, dollar stores offer "ka-ching" savings on boxed, bagged and canned goods. Make sure you check the expiration dates, however.
4. Use Grocery Store Rewards Cards These loyalty cards have become a necessity to access store sales, but they also have another benefit; You can download online coupons directly to your rewards card and the savings will be taken off at the register. Visit the rewards-card pages of such supermarket websites as Safeway and Food Lion to find these manufacturer coupons.

Some rewards card also provide gas savings when you buy groceries. At times, King Soopers has taken up to 10-cents off each gallon you purchase at their pumps when you spend $100 or more in their store.

5. Buy Generic

By and large, store-brand generics can be much cheaper than manufacturer products with the exact same quality. In fact, generics come off the same assembly line before being slapped with separate labels so skip the brand name items.

6. Use Discount Gift Cards

Shop websites like GiftCardGranny for discount gift cards from Kmart, Walmart and other major chains that sell food goods and produce. Paying just a portion of the card's face value gives you an instant savings on your grocery needs.

7. Make A List

Avoid impulse purchases by making a list before you leave home and sticking to it when you hit the store. Knowing specifically what you need also helps avoid duplications of products you already have at home.

8. Plan Your Meals

It's a lot easier to make a list when you have a plan. Creating a weekly menu also helps you avoid quick trips to the supermarket that end up costing you more in many ways. For last minute meals, create a gourmet dish at a deep discount by buying meats, produce and other food items that are on sale at your local grocery store.

9. One-Stop Shop

Save gas, time and money by shopping stores like Target that allow you to buy everything on your list within one visit.

10. Avoid Out-of-Season Produce To every vegetable and fruit there is a season...and a better price. Squash are cheaper in the fall while asparagus can be a bargain in the spring. Wait until prices are at their best and plan your menu around seasonal produce to save big.

Consumer savings expert, Andrea Woroch, is a broadcast and print media source. Andrea has appeared on ABC News NOW, NBC's Today Show, FOX & Friends, MSNBC and has been quoted by SmartMoney, Kiplinger Personal Finance and many more.

90 Year Old Mickey Rooney Draws Attention to Elder Abuse

2011-03-05T07:23:00.000-05:00

Mickey Rooney, the entertainment legend with more than 350 film credits to his name, stood before the Senate Special Committee on Aging yesterday not to perform but to speak of a critical issue – elder abuse. The 90-year old Rooney spoke from personal experience and urged the public and the government to take the issue seriously. Rooney began his statement with these words, “ We are here today on a critical issue – preventing the abuse, neglect and financial exploitation of seniors. Unfortunately, I am testifying before the committee today not just as a concerned citizen but also as a victim of elder abuse myself.”

Following is his statement:

“Throughout my life, I have been blessed with the love and support of family, friends, and fans. I
have worked almost my entire lifetime of ninety years to entertain and please other people. I’ve
worked hard and diligently. But even with this success, my money was stolen from me, by
someone close. I was unable to avoid becoming a victim of elder abuse.

Elder abuse comes in many different forms – physical abuse, emotional abuse, or financial
abuse. Each one is devastating in its own right. Many times, sadly, as with my situation, the
elder abuse involves a family member. When that happens, you feel scared, disappointed, angry,
and you can’t believe this is happening to you. You feel overwhelmed. The strength you need to
fight it is complicated. You’re afraid, but you’re also thinking about your other family members.

You’re thinking about the potential criticism of your family and friends. They may not want to
accept the dysfunction that you need to share. Because you love your family and for other
reasons, you might feel hesitant to come forward. You might not be able to make rational
decisions.

What other people see as generosity may, in reality, be the exploitation, manipulation,
and sadly, emotional blackmail of older, more vulnerable members of the American public.
I know because it happened to me. My money was taken and misused.

When I asked for information, I was told that I couldn’t have any of my own information. I was told it was “for my own good” and that “it was none of my business.” I was literally left powerless.

You can be in control of your life one minute and in the next minute, you have absolutely no
control. Sometimes this happens quickly, but other times it is very gradual. You wonder when it
truly began. In my case, I was eventually and completely stripped of the ability to make even the
most basic decisions in my own life.

Over the course of time, my daily life became unbearable. Worse, it seemed to happen out of
nowhere. At first, it was something small, something I could control. But then it became
something sinister that was completely out of control. I felt trapped, scared, used, and frustrated.

But above all, I felt helpless. For years I suffered silently. I couldn’t muster the courage to seek

the help I knew I needed. Even when I tried to speak up, I was told to be quiet. It seemed like

no one believed me.

But I never gave up. I continued to share my story with others. I told them about the abuse I

have suffered. I am now taking steps to right all the wrongs that were committed against me. I

am so thankful to my family, friends, and many fans all over the world who have expressed their

love and support for me.

Tips for Online dating... it's never too late, just be careful!

2011-03-01T07:06:00.000-05:00

For years, online dating seemed to carry a stigma around with it. Couples who met online told edited versions of their “how we met” story, and girlfriends kept their online dating profiles secret from one another. But now, as people are spending more time than ever connecting online (think Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn), looking for and meeting a potential mate online has become a normal part of our everyday lives.

“When it comes to dating, the Internet has broadened and widened the playing field and deepened the pool,” says Dr. Joy Browne, author of Dating For Dummies®, 3rd Edition (Wiley Publishing, Inc.) “Literally thousands of folks are out there just waiting to click or be clicked on—you just have to know how and where to connect—and understand the ‘rules’ before you venture online.”

With new and updated content, the third edition of Dr. Browne’s popular book demystifies the whole dating process, including information for navigating the contemporary, social media-driven dating scene where women and men Google potential dates beforehand, tweet after, and even meet on Facebook.

Here are eleven simple dos and don’ts from Dr. Browne to help maximize the online experience and, hopefully, have you on the way to finding your perfect match.

Be precise. When writing an Internet personal ad or filling out an online dating questionnaire, it’s useful to pretend that you have to pay by the word, whether you actually have to pay for it or not. In the bad old days, personal ads were charged by the word. These days most profiles are unlimited in terms of words once you’ve paid your membership fee. Don’t allow this freedom to encourage you to blather. Be as specific as possible.

“Think about who you are and what makes you unusual, and list both your successes and your failures,” says Dr. Browne. “Don’t allow yourself to wander into abstracts or use trite phrases. No moonlight strolls, walks in the park, or, ‘I’m a true romantic’; these descriptions of yourself are meaningless, overused, and silly. Remind yourself that a very focused intent is time-saving, practical, and useful, so be thoughtful and specific.

“The trick here is to be focused enough to winnow the field and be honest and compelling without being so narrow that nobody on the face of the earth could ever meet your criteria,” she goes on to say. “You want your ad to be honest, compelling, eye catching, sane, reflective of who you are, and different from everybody else’s efforts.”

Use an appropriate photo. While you don’t necessarily have to post a picture with your description, the number of responses increases dramatically—like by a factor of eight—if you do. Browne suggests using the following tips when including a picture with your profile:

• Use a fairly recent picture.

• Don’t be tempted to use your cute friend’s picture or your brother’s bar mitzvah picture.

• Avoid flattering glam shots because you want very little discrepancy between the picture and what you really look like. (You don’t want your date to receive any nasty shocks!) It’s much smarter to elicit a comment such as, “My goodness, you’re much better looking in person!” instead of, “Oh my God, is this what you really look like?”

• Don’t even think about using a picture of yourself with your arm around somebody of the opposite sex (duh), and if you’re thinking about cutting the person out or pasting someone else’s face on the body, fuhgetaboutit. A picture with a friend is also a mixed message.

• Be careful about using props like a dog, a boat, or a fancy car. This is about you, so it should be a good headshot of you alone.

• Women, don’t be tempted to be too sexy in your picture, because unless you’re looking for a one-night stand, you’re going to send the wrong message. The same type of info applies to guys; keep your shirt on.

Make your English teacher proud. Check and then double-check your grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Nothing will make you look more like a doofus than misspelled words or incorrect grammar in your ad.

“Have somebody proofread your ad even if you’re doing this on the QT and you’re trying to be very clever and have nobody know,” advises Browne. “Ask a discreet friend to read your listing to see if it makes sense and has no major lapses of logic, taste, or grammar. Always do a spell check and run it by a supportive friend with good English skills. Another set of eyes will often catch something you’ve missed.”

Keep the fibs to a minimum. While it’s best to be completely truthful, if we’re being honest, we know no one ever truly is. Browne says that on an Internet dating site, age, weight, and sexual history tend to be the general minefield of fibbing. She suggests using the following guideline for any online white lies:

• Your age should certainly be within several years of your actual age. Everybody is allowed to shave a year or two, but no decade reductions. Beware of saying things like “salt and pepper hair” if you haven’t had any hair on your head since dirt was invented.

• Make sure any physical description roughly correlates with what your mirror reflects, not what your heart desires.

• Beware of women who use “code” and say they’re “voluptuous,” which translates into “35 pounds overweight.” Be honest about who you are. If you’re a little heavy, then say, “I’m a little heavy. I can live with it. Can you?” This is a much better approach than lying about your weight. Remember: Sooner or later the intent is to meet face to face, and neither of you should be unpleasantly surprised.

• As for sexual history, don’t go there! Your indiscretions are best forgotten or dealt with in the confessional or therapy, but certainly not on a website with strangers.

Provide only a cell phone number. When you are connecting online, it’s best to keep in mind that any person who found you on the Web is a stranger. So don’t give your home phone number, which Browne warns that someone could use to track to your address.

“Practice safety first by giving out only your cell phone number, which also offers the protection of caller ID, an off switch, and mobility,” explains Browne. “A cell phone allows you to be anywhere without anyone knowing where you are. In the worst-case scenario of a lunatic or a stalker, you can always get rid of the phone if you need to.”

Date within a 25-mile radius. You may be one of those people who look for potential dates on vacations or planes, or with someone who is traveling through town. But Browne warns that you should be weary. Long-distance relationships are initially thrilling but soon become poisonous because they’re often more fantasy than reality. Have people met other people on bike trips through Provence? Yes, but leave that happenstance to happenstance. When you’re investing in the specific intent to find somebody, be reasonable and sensible and play the odds.

“Find somebody who is in your zip code if possible, your area code preferably, and your time zone certainly, so that you can actually get to know each other without the constraints that a long-distance relationship places on things,” she suggests. “Make it easy on yourself and your date to be as geographically close as possible, to allow for emotional and physical intimacy as an organic, unfolding project. Dealing with someone who is GU (geographically undesirable) is an avoidable hassle.”

Meet publicly and make sure someone knows where you are. Remember that the person you meet online is a stranger. And it bears repeating: This person is a stranger! If you wouldn’t meet a blind date at your house, if you wouldn’t get into a car with a stranger, if you wouldn’t give someone you’ve never met before your home phone number, don’t do any of these things with someone you meet online.

“Meet in a public place and make sure that somebody you know and trust is aware of your whereabouts,” Browne asserts. “Practice a modicum of sensible behavior. In real life, you wouldn’t go off with strangers, and this is indeed still real life—with the computer as intermediary.”

More tips

There's more to meaning of "spice of life"...spices said to be antioxidants

2011-02-25T08:53:00.001-05:00

It is widely acceptable that fruits and vegetables are considered antioxidant foods. According to a study published in Nutrition Journal, spices do not take a back seat. “Although spices and herbs contribute little weight on the dinner plate, they may still be important contributors to our antioxidant intake, especially in dietary cultures where spices and herbs are used regularly.”

Why spices are so high in antioxidants the Nutrition Journal study concludes, “We interpret the elevated concentration of antioxidants observed in several dried herbs compared to fresh samples, as a normal consequence of the drying process leaving most of the antioxidants intact in the dried end product. This tendency is also seen in some fruits and their dried counterparts. Thus, dried herbs and fruit are potentially excellent sources of antioxidants.”

Good news...and it appears that some areas of the country are already more aware of the value of spices in cooking than others – or they just plain like them more.

McCormick & Company, Inc., the spices and herbs company, set out to determine which areas of the country reach for the spices more than others. Result? They have identified America’s top 10 “Super-Spiced” cities based on consumption of “Super Spices.”

According to a McCormick & Company spokesperson, Laurie Harrsen, “As spice consumption continues to grow, more people are realizing that adding ‘Super Spices’ is an easy way to add flavor and natural antioxidants throughout the day – no matter what your local food favorites are.”

America’s Top 10 “Super-Spiced” Cities:

1. New York

2. Chicago

3. Los Angeles

4. Dallas/Ft. Worth

5. San Antonio/Corpus Christi

6. Houston

7. Memphis

8. Philadelphia

9. Charleston, SC

10. Jackson, MS

It’s not just big cities that like big flavor. Although major metropolises like New York and Chicago top the list, some surprise “Super-Spiced” standouts are also among the ranks. Food-loving cities like Memphis, TN; Charleston, SC; and Jackson, MS - as well as a whopping three cities in Texas – help round out this well-seasoned compilation.

“Super-Spiced” Snapshots

Where you live often shapes how you eat. So, plenty of local flavor shines through in the “Super-Spiced” cities:

From minestrone to pasta, Philadelphia embraces its Italian heritage. And, since some research has linked garlic to heart health, it’s not surprising to find it’s a favorite in the City of Brotherly Love. In fact, Philly consumes more than 176,000 pounds of garlic powder a year – nearly the weight of 126 “Rocky” statues.

Coastal South Carolina is home to Low Country cooking. Charleston consumes almost 9,000 pounds of oregano each year, nearly 90 times the weight of the famous albino alligator in the South Carolina Aquarium.5 Of all the herbs, oregano has one of the highest antioxidant levels – making it a true “Super Spice.”

Los Angeles consumes more than 208,000 pounds of cinnamon. That’s the equivalent to 41 “Jaws” sharks found in the Hollywood classic. This sweet spice has been linked to controlling blood sugar levels.

San Antonio loves its Tex-Mex, eating more than 98,000 pounds of cumin a year – more than any other city in the nation. That’s enough to put 1.5 pounds in every seat of the Alamodome. Did you know just a half-teaspoon of ground cumin has antioxidant levels comparable to one cup of spinach?

“We are excited to celebrate the cities that are already enjoying the many benefits of spices and herbs," said Laurie Harrsen, McCormick spokesperson. “As spice consumption continues to grow, more people are realizing that adding ‘Super Spices’ is an easy way to add flavor and natural antioxidants throughout the day – no matter what your local food favorites are.”

The World's Smartest Horse Now A Guinness World Record Holder...

2011-02-22T10:29:00.000-05:00

Far from over the hill...

Lukas, the World's Smartest Horse (according to The World Records Academy) has done it!! Guinness World Records has officially recognized Lukas' history making achievement: "Most numbers correctly identified by a horse in one minute." The seventeen year old ex-racer and former rescue met all the guidelines and identified NINETEEN numbers in less than sixty seconds. Karen Murdock, Lukas' owner/trainer had quite a list for her beloved gelding during the event. Guidelines for the attempt included the following:

 Qualified veterinary surgeon present.

 No equipment whatsoever to be used by the handler (including a halter) - Lukas loose and entirely free in a round pen.

 No touching or pointing by the handler or any other person.

 A single verbal request (a number) solely must be made by the handler.

 The numbers must be placed on the floor/table in front of the horse 20 centimeters apart.

 The horse must return toward center after each number and make a conclusive selection.

 Only correct responses are counted.

 Numbers spoken at random and non-consecutive.

 Two expert witnesses.

 Two expert time keepers with stopwatches accurate to 1/100th of a second.

 Static (non-stopping) filming of entire attempt and focused on attempt at all times.

 Still photographs documenting the above.

According to Murdock, "I'm very grateful for the help of so many good friends who have helped to bring this about. We're also very fortunate to have had the support of animal lovers all over the world who have sent encouraging messages and given us inspiration. I also want to express my appreciation to Guinness for their acknowledgement of Lukas' abilities and to Guinness Talent Manager Louise Ireland for her wonderful assistance.

What's next for the Guinness World Record Holder? Lukas plans to continue to share his message of hope and happiness for all creatures. Will there be another record attempt in the future? Lukas isn't saying yet, but he is practicing identifying his shapes.

More...http://www.healthyaging.net/

Past Presidents Provide Benchmark for Joint Replacement Progress

2011-02-21T06:21:00.000-05:00

Past presidents such as Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush are among the millions of Americans who have undergone some form of joint replacement/repair surgery. While we see presidents come and go, advancements in joint replacement technology are up for reelection much more often.

"These days, advances in technology happen in rapid progression. Think of your cell phone. Within the past decade they have basically become mini-computers, and before you know it, a more advanced version is available," says Coastal Orthopedics Surgeon and Joint Replacement Specialist, Alan Valadie, M.D. "In that same timeframe we've seen continual advances in joint replacement technology. Not only in the materials and design of the implants, but also the way we perform the surgery has become less invasive, which allows for faster recovery." Read more...

10 Tips for Avoiding Wills and Estate Battles

2011-02-18T08:26:00.000-05:00

When it comes to estate planning, wills and inheritance arrangements, it is WHAT most families DON'T know that can cause the most harm.

For instance, new estate tax laws for 2011 can seriously affect wills and estates -- but most people don't realize that.

To make matters more complicated, "senior citizen financial exploitation" is a serious problem these days. A recent study concluded that exploitation of seniors costs $2.6 billion every year in our country -- and sometimes it is family members doing the exploiting of those seniors whose estates aren't properly protected.

So, how can consumers protect themselves and the seniors in their families from falling victim?

Danielle and Andrew Mayoras are legacy attorneys and authors of "Trial & Heirs: Famous Fortune Fights!" www.trialandheirs.com which chronicles some of the most highly publicized will and estate battles of several recently deceased celebrities. The authors also offer expert advice to help anyone, celebs and non-celebs alike, to avoid similar problems with their estate and will planning.

Do nothing: By not doing your estate planning, you could end up like Jimi Hendrix and have someone that you barely knew controlling your legacy…after a lengthy and expensive court fight almost 30 years after he died.

Do it yourself: Former Supreme Court Justice Warren Burger created his own will consisting of 176 words; but he left out key provisions and his family paid the price.

Don't update: Heath Ledger never updated his will with the birth of his daughter, leading to chaos and family members fighting through the press. Michael Crichton is another example. Updates need to be made with life events such as divorce, remarriage, pregnancies and births, etc.

Take shortcuts: Princess Di used a "letter of wishes" to leave personal effects to her godchildren instead of specifying her wishes in a will or trust.

Forgetting to tell your loved ones where your estate planning documents are located: Olympian Flo Jo's original will couldn't be located and her probate estate took over 4 years to close.

Failing to finish what you start: Michael Jackson created a trust, but never fully funded it, defeating a primary purpose of having a trust. This made it much easier for his family to fight in probate court … and made the feud public.

Making verbal promises: Marlon Brando's housekeeper alleged that he made oral promises of a home and continued employment to her, which led to two separate lawsuits after Brando's death.

Procrastinating: Sonny Bono passed away at the age of 62 without even a simple will in place. This lead to many complications, including a secret love child who surfaced and wanted a piece of Bono's estate.

Leaving your intent unclear: Whitney Houston's father named Whitney as a beneficiary on a large life insurance policy, but it was unclear if he wanted Whitney to keep the money or to repay money owed by Whitney’s step-mother. This confusion led to a two-year court battle which is still ongoing!

Choosing an untrustworthy executor or trustee: Doris Duke chose an unsavory trustee – her butler – to manager her one billion dollar foundation. When he used assets for himself, it lead to an expensive fight in court that dearly cost the charities Duke wanted to benefit.

Hooray for Hollywood... and other cool places to go for star-studded tours offering 'reel' fun

2011-02-16T09:32:00.003-05:00

The top ten movie tours in the U.S., according to the TripAdvisor travelers and editors have been announced. Offering an entertaining and educational behind the scenes look at where some of the hottest films in history have been made, these tours are ideal for silver screen connoisseurs and star-gazers alike. TripAdvisor is a leading travel website.

A Golden Time: San Francisco Movie Tours, San Francisco, California

This amazing tour allows travelers to experience the magic of movie-making aboard the “Theater-on-Wheels” while seeing the beautiful city by the bay. From Fisherman’s Wharf to the Golden Gate Bridge, highlights for tour-goers include visiting the spot where Kim Novak jumped into the water in Alfred Hitchcock’s film, Vertigo, the home where Robin Williams and Sally Field lived in Mrs. Doubtfire, and the high school that Anne Hathaway’s character attended in The Princess Diaries. A TripAdvisor traveler described the tours as an “Excellent way to see the city and superb for all movie buffs!” Tour tickets are $47 for adults, $37 for seniors and children, and free of charge for children age five and under.

Tinseltown Tour: LA City Tours, Los Angeles, California

Tour-goers will learn about the “City of Angels” while exploring the sites of many hit films such as Pretty Woman, Get Shorty, Charlie’s Angels, Beverly Hills Cop, and Wedding Crashers. In addition to featuring movie locations, this tour also takes in several sun-kissed beaches, the lavish neighborhood of Beverly Hills, and the legendary Hollywood Sign. A TripAdvisor traveler said, “Even if you’re from LA, go on this tour!” Tour tickets are $49 for adults and $39 for children for a three hour tour, or $40 for adults and $24 for children for a two hour tour.

More ideas

Hey Valentines! 10 Things You Can Do to Make Your Relationship Better All Year Long

2011-02-14T07:47:00.000-05:00

Romance is a very small part of what makes a marriage or long-term relationship successful

Valentine’s Day is here, and you know what that means: time to wine, dine, and romance your sweetie whether you feel like it or not. And whatever your opinion on enforced handholding and chocolate giving, it’s nice that there’s a day to focus on the fun, romantic side of your relationship. But what about the less, well, sexy parts of being a couple—the ones that are making so many people miserable the other 364 days of the year?

“The truth is, romance is a very small part of what makes a marriage or long-term relationship successful,” explains Dr. Howard Rankin, creator of the Science of You website (www.scienceofyou.com) and founder of the American Brain Association. “It’s getting the other 98 percent right that makes a couple last in the long haul. So, really, it’s too bad we don’t have any days devoted to issues like communication, fighting fairly, and forgiving.”

Dr. Rankin is something of a relationship expert. A nationally recognized psychologist and neuroscientist with more than three decades of experience, he has counseled his fair share of individuals and couples looking to make a change for the better in how they interact with each other.

Relationship change requires behavior change, and this is far from easy. However, Dr. Rankin has a track record of helping people do it successfully. And with his new video and workbook set, Communication Secrets of a Great Relationship, coming out in May 2011, he has spent a lot more of his time refining his thoughts and insights on the subject.

If you’re looking for a truly beneficial way to celebrate February 14, Dr. Rankin suggests you think of it as the “New Year’s Day” of your marriage or partnership. There are certain, very specific things you—yes, you—can do during the upcoming year that may change your relationship for the better. Read more...

Valentine Weekend Idea for NY-ers ... Check out Godiva pop up store

2011-02-11T07:21:00.000-05:00

If you are in New York City over the next couple of days, and want to get into the Valentine's Day spirit to say nothing of swoon over chocolate, take a walk over to the 5th Avenue Godiva boutique. They've gone crazy over Valentine's Day -- why not?! with stuff like....

• An oversized heart shaped chocolate gift box that frames the exterior of the store showcasing signature Godiva Valentine’s Day pieces. The exterior façade gives the feel as if you are walking directly into a box of Godiva chocolates

• A chocolate display in the front windows featuring an elaborate chocolate desk and chair, an oversized feather pen, a chocolate scroll with a love note inscribed, as well as a library bookshelf display made entirely of chocolate

• A detailed candelabra and framed chocolate painting made completely of Godiva chocolate also decorate the windows and large chocolate flowers are attached to the window’s walls to provide a beautiful backdrop

• Walls enveloped in red satin ribbon modeled after the inside of Godiva’s classic heart gift boxes

• A lavish, oversized chocolate mailbox, adorned with hearts made of white chocolate truffles

• Multiple chocolate chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, each draped with chocolate pearls and topped with chocolate lamp shades

• Red accents, from the eye-catching rose petals placed throughout the store to the carpet itself

Fun stuff!

Where were you when you listened to "O Pretty Woman"

2011-02-09T08:12:00.000-05:00

What do you think of when you hear Roy Orbison music... you know, "pretty woman, walking down the street"... for me it's happy times during the 60s... mostly enjoying the music without really knowing much about the artists like we do today.

Did you know, Orbison's profound musical and emotional influences may be heard in early Beatles singles (e.g. "Love Me Do" after "Candy Man," "Please Please Me" after "Only The Lonely," "Daytripper" after "Oh, Pretty Woman"). I didn't realize that...

Roy Orbison was one of the few established hit-makers from the late 1950s and early 1960s to not only hold his ground, but to actually increase his popularity in the wake of the British Invasion.

In honor of his 75th birthday year (he passed away in 1988), a commemorative music collection will be April 5 . Read more about Roy and his music

Idea on how to consume enough daily vegetables

2011-02-08T09:15:00.000-05:00

A study conducted by researchers at the University of California-Davis found that adults who drank one, 8-ounce glass of vegetable juice each day, as part of a calorie-appropriate Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, got nearly twice as many vegetable servings a day than those who did not drink any vegetable juice. Additionally, nine out of 10 participants who drank V8 100% vegetable juice said they felt they were doing something good for themselves.

Researchers attribute the results to the ease, convenience and enjoyment of vegetable juice as a way to get more vegetables. Read more...

Healthy Aging Magazine to Launch Soon

2011-02-07T09:33:00.001-05:00

Healthy Aging® Magazine hits the market soon promising inspirational articles, tips, techniques and information for positive aging. The full-color magazine banks on the stats that many people over 50 are avid researchers of how to keep back the hands of time. They want positive, how-to information and would rather “re-invent” themselves rather than retire.

According to publisher, Carolyn Worthington, “The mission of Healthy Aging® Magazine is to make a positive difference in the lives of older adults, who seek content, ideas, inspiration and critical information in the areas of physical, social, mental and financial health as a means to take greater responsibility for their own health.”

Designed by Barbara Chapman, one of America’s top designers, the magazine will initially be a free, digital magazine available by simply clicking on the magazine via Healthy Aging®, www.healthyaging.net. “Even if you are technologically challenged,” says Chapman, “you can easily just ‘turn the pages’ of our new magazine. We intend to make this not only an interesting magazine, but one you enjoy looking at, printing, sharing and saving.”

The ad sales team is targeting companies in the categories of physical, social, mental and financial fitness. “When people think of aging, they always think physical fitness,” Worthington notes, “But our research has shown that mental wellness, the importance of social support systems and financial fitness are just as important. That’s why we plan to attract upbeat companies in such categories as financial planning, continuing education, supermarkets, travel, food as well as the physical fitness.”

The Healthy Aging® brand has developed over 15 years, from public television documentaries, educational materials, an award winning website, books, and tapes on the subject.

“When I started working on the concept, no one wanted to talk about growing older,” Worthington says. “Finally, the baby boomers are starting to see they need good information – and not just stuff about how decrepit they are or will be. They want to know, ‘how can I actively pursue my next 50 years,’ and we are here to help.”

For further information, contact: editor@healthyaging.net advertising@healthyaging.net or visit the website, http://www.healthyaging.net/

Single in America

2011-02-04T07:52:00.000-05:00

Older seniors report greatest level of happiness in Match.com survey.

The largest and most comprehensive nationally-representative study of single men and women ever done dispels long-held beliefs about singles in America. Although there are 105 million singles in the United States, representing one-third of the US population, these women and men have gone largely unstudied--even as their attitudes and behaviors are shaping America's cultural norms and challenging traditional foundations.

Old and grumpy? Think again: Older singles (ages 65 and over) report the greatest level of happiness over the past 12 months, followed by 21-24 year olds. Seniors also report being less stressed by being single. Contrary to popular belief, sex is important to older singles. In fact, older men and women are less likely than other age groups to compromise on either love or sexual attractiveness in order to have a committed relationship.

Consumer Reports Survey Shows Many Americans Getting Too Many Screenings

2011-02-03T08:25:00.000-05:00

"Something needs to be done to rein in the spending and testing spree by patients and their doctors. It's worrisome that healthy people are getting tests they may not need because a prevention test that is not reliable can lead to a cascade of unnecessary, costly, and in some cases risky follow-up tests and treatment," said John Santa, M.D., M.P.H., director, Consumer Reports Health Ratings Center.

Too many screenings add up to unnecessary costs and possibly, risky treatments.

Forty-four percent of "healthy" adults with no risk factors for heart disease said that in the last five years they'd had a heart-specific screening test other than routine blood pressure monitoring and blood work, such as an electrocardiogram (EKG), a blood test for C-reactive protein (CRP), and an exercise stress test. The survey suggests considerable overuse of unneeded heart screenings. The Consumer Reports Health survey of 8,056 Consumer Reports subscribers (ages 40-60) also reveals that consumers aren't getting crucial information about the risks and benefits of heart screenings.

Feds Release '2010' Dietary Guidelines

2011-02-01T06:33:00.000-05:00

Lower salt, more fruits and veggies, lower fat in foods: these are just some of the recommendations just released in an almost 100 page document by the USDA and HHS. Titled "2010 Dietary Guidelines" (I think we are already into 2011?), the guidelines are designed to help reduce obesity and increase healthy lifestyles.

The effort includes changing labeling on food products, menu descriptions in restaurants, and in school lunch programs.

Read more...

More Research Supports Broccoli As Super Food

2011-01-28T09:33:00.000-05:00

Scientists are reporting discovery of a potential biochemical basis for the apparent cancer-fighting ability of broccoli and its veggie cousins. They found for the first time that certain substances in the vegetables appear to target and block a defective gene associated with cancer. Their report, which could lead to new strategies for preventing and treating cancer, appears in ACS’ Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. Read more

Seven ways to make healthier (and skinnier) choices at the drive-thru

2011-01-27T08:53:00.000-05:00

Like or need fast food but worried about the calories? There are ways to still head to the drive-thru as you watch your weight.

Registered dietitians and Authors, Ellen Shanley and Colleen Thompson, offer tips for how to make healthier choices at fast food restaurants.

(Super)-Size does matter. We live in a society where bigger is better. Even in fancier sit-down restaurants, servings are often larger than what a healthy stomach can comfortably consume. And while it’s tempting to go for the biggest package deal, the same thing is often true of “mega-sized” fast-food meals. Before you order the jumbo burger and the humongo gulp drink, think twice about whether you really need all that food.

“Fast-food restaurants hook you in by promising a lot more food for just a little more money,” points out Shanley. “They don’t care if your eyes end up being bigger than your stomach! So be discriminating. Are you really that hungry? Why not share your mega meal with a friend? Or just get smaller versions of the items you want. You’ll be consuming fewer unhealthy bites, but your tastebuds will be just as satisfied.”

Fish and chicken don’t always deserve their healthful rep. You know what they say about assuming: don’t. This is especially true when it comes to choosing your “main course” at the fast-food counter. It’s a common (if not universal) assumption that white meat is healthier than red meat—but that’s not always the case. Since many fast-food restaurants bread and fry their chicken and fish, these choices often end up having as much or more fat and calories than a hamburger.

“If you’re craving white meat, choose chicken or fish that is broiled, baked, or grilled,” advises Thompson. “If you’re not sure how a certain menu item is prepared, ask! Actually, most fast-food restaurants have the nutrient content of their menu items either right in the restaurant or certainly on their websites.”

Download the (nutritional) lowdown. Yes, it’s important to know what’s in the foods you eat—how many fat grams and calories, how much sugar, and, yes, how much good stuff like calcium and vitamin C. As mentioned, all fast-food joints provide nutritional info on their menu items. And Thompson and Shanley suggest that you stay on top of what’s what the high-tech, twenty-first century way. That’s right—there’s an app for this, too!

More ideas from Shanley and Thompson

Cost of treating heart disease to skyrocket

2011-01-25T06:12:00.000-05:00

If you haven't already, you better start thinking about your diet and fitness ...The cost of treating heart disease in the United States will triple by 2030, according to new projections from the American Heart Association. The $545 billion increase is due in part to an aging population. Most people pay lip service to following a healthy diet and many don't really know what it takes to exercise for health. Check out ideas

Too much rock music messed up your hearing? Researchers on the case to solve "tinnitus" or ringing in the ears...

2011-01-24T10:30:00.001-05:00

Research being done to help stop ringing in ears or "tinnitus"

Researchers were able to eliminate tinnitus in a group of rats by stimulating a nerve in the neck while simultaneously playing a variety of sound tones over an extended period of time, says a study published in the online publication of the journal Nature. The hallmark of tinnitus is often a persistent ringing in the ears that is annoying for some, debilitating for others, and currently incurable.

Similar to pressing a reset button in the brain, this new therapy was found to help retrain the part of the brain that interprets sound so that errant neurons reverted back to their original state and the ringing disappeared. Read more...

Walmart has become nation's largest grocer: Announces new initiative for healthier foods

2011-01-21T06:01:00.000-05:00

Walmart has steadily been adding more and more food products to its shelves. It has become the nation's largest grocer and with its buying power can offer substantial savings. Now, Walmart has launched a major initiative to make food hjealthier and healthier food more affordable.

Here's the program:

1. Reformulating thousands of everyday packaged food items by 2015 by reducing sodium 25 percent and added sugars 10 percent, and by removing all remaining industrially produced trans fats. The company will work with suppliers to improve the nutritional quality of national food brands and its Great Value private brand in key product categories to complete the reformulations;

2. Making healthier choices more affordable, saving customers approximately $1 billion per year on fresh fruits and vegetables through a variety of sourcing, pricing and transportation and logistics initiatives that will drive unnecessary costs out of the supply chain. Walmart will also dramatically reduce or eliminate the price premium on key “better-for-you” items, such as reduced sodium, sugar or fat products;

3. Developing strong criteria for a simple front-of-package seal that will help consumers instantly identify truly healthier food options such as whole grain cereal, whole wheat pasta or unsweetened canned fruit;

4. Providing solutions to address food deserts by building stores in underserved communities that are in need of fresh and affordable groceries; and

5. Increasing charitable support for nutrition programs that help educate consumers about healthier food solutions and choices.

See rest of the ideas

Why is the type font getting smaller? Who hasn't thought that after age 40?

2011-01-19T07:07:00.000-05:00

Why is the type font always getting smaller? Who hasn't thought that after they hit 40 or so.... Well, some minor vision changes may be symptoms of diseases leading to permanent vision loss. The possibility of developing glaucoma, macular degeneration or cataracts – all of which cause vision loss if not treated – increases with age. Age-related eye diseases and disorders baby boomers and seniors should be aware of include:

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) – an eye disease causing loss of central vision
Diabetic retinopathy – a condition occurring in people with diabetes, which causes progressive damage to the retina, the light-sensitive lining at the back of the eye
Cataracts – a cloudy or opaque area in the clear lens of the eye
Glaucoma – a group of eye diseases characterized by damage to the optic nerve resulting in peripheral vision loss
Dry eye – a condition where there is an insufficient amount of tears or a poor quality of tears to lubricate and nourish the eye

“A comprehensive eye exam by an optometrist can detect glaucoma, as well as other eye diseases,” said Dr. Jerry Davidoff, chair of the American Optometric Association’s (AOA) Low Vision Rehabilitation Section. “Early detection and treatment of these vision disorders can help many patients preserve their vision, giving them more years of independence and good quality of life.”

4 Emotional Types and How to Manage Them

2011-01-18T07:13:00.001-05:00

Judith Orloff, a UCLA psychiatrist, and author of the New York Times best seller Emotional Freedome: Liberate Yourself from Negative Emotions and Transform Your Life offers some perspective into pinning down how to relate to others, knowing your emotional tyupe and that of your love partner. Here are Judith Orloff's overview of the four emotional types from Emotional Freedom, along with their upsides, downsides, and ways to balance them.

Emotional Type #1: The Intellectual

Qualities: You are bright, articulate, analytic, intellectually oriented, and often take refuge in your mind as the first line of coping.

Upside: Extremely logical, comfortable with fixing problems logically and intellectually, great debater, able to stay calm in emotionally heated situations.

Downside: Difficulty connecting with feelings -- others' and your own; give the impression of being snobby, withholding, or cold; obsess about problems; sometimes too serious.

Balance Prescription: Spend more time in your physical/sensual self. Try breathing techniques, vigorous exercise, and practicing feeling the other person's emotions (empathizing).
Emotional Type #2: The Empath

Qualities: You are highly sensitive, naturally giving, spiritually attuned, and a good listener.

Upside: Gifted healer, helper, and friend; passionate and sensual; intuitive about others' thoughts and feelings; emotionally responsive; in touch with your body and emotions.

Downside: Easily absorb others' negativity; prone to anxiety, depression, and fatigue; easily feel hemmed in when living with others; difficulty setting boundaries with draining people.

Balance Prescription: Use positive self-talk and logic to get grounded. Allow frequent quiet and meditation time. Learn to set clear limits and boundaries -- say no, take space, walk away, and protect yourself.

Emotional Type #3: The Rock

Qualities: You are emotionally strong for self and others, practical, able to stay cool in a crisis, nonjudgmental.

Upside: Pillar of strength, consistent and loyal, giving, respectful, get along with nearly everyone.

Downside: Can be detached from feelings; harbor anger and frustration; relationships may lack depth; don't make waves or invite challenges; rather avoid conflict than confront it.

Balance Prescription: Practice activities that are spontaneous. Express a feeling a day. Initiate conversations that are emotional.

Emotional Type #4: The Gusher

Qualities: You know your emotions and share them often, and are spontaneous, direct, and authentic.

Upside: Emotionally articulate, easily forgiving, make and keep supportive networks of friends, value intimate relationships, process hard issues easily.

Downside: Tend to be a drama king or queen, may turn friends into therapists, seek external feedback rather than relying on own intuition, excessive need to share.

Balance Prescription: Practice activities that support and strengthen your self-sufficiency. Give yourself credit, learn to forgive yourself, and practice positive self-talk.

.

Fun Travel Idea for Movie Buffs: Go to places where movies were filmed like Social Network

2011-01-17T09:28:00.000-05:00

Whether you make it the primary reason to go, or just happen to be in these places anyway, it's kind of cool to visit places movies were made... Take Boston, for Social Network or Ben Affleck's The Town or how about, Paris for Leonardo DiCaprio's Inception. These fun ideas came from a survey done by hotels.com Check out other ideas here.

How would it feel to live forever? Novel explores "cryogenic stasis" -- the deep freeze...

2011-01-13T06:05:00.000-05:00

Speaking of the frigid winter and all of this snow.....How would it feel to live forever? The moral, philosophical and economic questions of cryogenic stasis (you know, like freezing a frog) for humans is contemplated in a novel by Lois McMaster...Cryoburn. Check out www.healthyaging.net for details

It's Never Too Late to Have A Great Smile

2011-01-12T07:47:00.002-05:00

Before BracesAfter

Once considered a rite of passage for adolescents and teenagers, braces have gained a new level of appreciation among adults -- even mature adults -- looking not only to improve their smile, but their entire facial appearance, self-esteem and overall outlook on life. With a variety of options available than just a few years ago, today's braces are more discreet, comfortable and effective than ever before.

It's a fact that propertly aligned teeth are easier to take care of, making brushing and flossing more effective, which can reduce the risk of tooth loss. A properly aligned bite can also alleviate jaw, neck and shoulder pain and sometimes headaches.

Here's one resource if you don't have a dentist (or don't like the one you have) and want to know more about changing your smile: Damon System, an innovative orthodonistry system.

Over 50? Tips for Getting Fit Again (or for the first time!)

2011-01-07T06:47:00.000-05:00

Pointers for how to get back into shape from William Olson, president and CEO of Smooth Fitness, online retailer of home fitness & exercise equipment ...

Your age is not where you are chronologically, but biologically – yes, past a certain age, people begin to lose muscular strength, balance and flexibility, but that does not mean that you can’t get younger this year. Fitness after 50 means learning to listen better to your body, varying your exercise, and modifying your diet.

Health and fitness are things that many people have pre-conceived notions about – “no pain, no gain” for example – but that just isn’t true. To make yourself younger and more vibrant every year, it is important to find exercises and sports to pursue without a lot of pain. Exercise can be transformative, sharpening your focus and keeping your spirits up. It should not cause chronic or acute pain, but it should challenge you.

Click here for Eight tips

Who is Happy? National Survey Says...

2011-01-06T09:24:00.000-05:00

Who is really happy? You'd be surprised to learn from the results of a recent national survey by Precision Opinion. Even in this economy, the nature of politics, levels of unemployment, people are happy and optimistic. The happiest group? Those 61 years of age and older, with 32% being very happy. Women were happier than men. Republicans are a happier bunch than Democrats ... read full story

Nearly Half of Americans Ages 45 - 70 Have No Plans for Outliving Assets

2011-01-05T08:59:00.000-05:00

Many Americans, specifically the baby boom generation, have not saved enough money for retirement, according to Anna Rappaport, actuary. In fact, a news survey released by the Society of Actuaries shows nearly half have no financial plans in place to protect themselves against outliving their assets and the rising cost of healthcare should they live longer than they expected. Read more...

12 Tips for How Not To Gain Weight But Still Be Able To Eat Over the Holidays

2010-12-16T08:26:00.000-05:00

Author, Lavinia Rodriguez, offers advice on how to make a plan before heading out to a holiday party so that you can beat gaining those extra pounds...

1. Have a pre-party plan. If you know you're going to be faced with a seemingly endless array of food choices at a given event, force yourself to stop and think about what you'd most like to eat before taking your place in line. The fact is, many of us have eyes that end up being bigger than our stomachs, but we feel compelled to join the clean plate club regardless.

"If you have a tendency to overindulge, recognizing that fact is half the battle," says Dr. Rodriguez. "Promise yourself that you'll choose an appropriate amount of food in order to feel satisfied, not stuffed!"

2. Focus on your friends and family—not the food. When you walk into your company's holiday party or your daughter's dance recital, don't hone in on the snack table. While the hors d'oeuvres table might be crowded with treats and people, focus on socializing with friends and family instead of on the food. Remember, conversation is calorie-free!

"There are so many activities during the season that food doesn't have to be your main focus," says Dr. Rodriguez. "When you go to holiday gatherings, slow down and enjoy the atmosphere and then think about eating. Most people will already be on their second (or third!) plates, and you'll still be on track with your healthy lifestyle."

3. Don't show up starving. At one point or another, we've all been guilty of starving ourselves before food-filled festivities, figuring that our hunger will enable us to enjoy the bounty all the more. Well, says Dr. Rodriguez, that's a flawed theory. Going to a party starving only causes you to unwittingly eat too much in too short of a time frame.

"You may have noticed: It's hard to enjoy food, not to mention make good choices, when you're ravenous," she points out. "To avoid mindless overload, try eating a small bowl of broth-based soup or other light morsel before leaving home. It'll knock the edge off your hunger without costing tons of calories. Also, if you know you're going to an appetizer party, have your regular meal at home and stick to a small dessert and drink at the event. Appetizers lead to overeating because the mind sees small quantities and keeps asking for more."

More tips

More People Choosing to Improve Their Mind As New Year's Resolution

2010-12-15T08:25:00.000-05:00

As the New Year comes closer, all of us start thinking about what we might do differently next year. Many people choose starting an exercise program so they can fit into those pants they used to wear. More and more people, however, are choosing to improve their minds through academics such as learning a new language or improving a skill. See article

NY Botantical Garden Holiday Train Show -- Take a grandchild or friend

2010-12-07T08:27:00.000-05:00

Holiday Fun: Say Healthy Aging and save 30% off NY Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show Tickets

With more trains, more live performances, and more fun than ever before, it’s the perfect time to visit the Holiday Train Show. Wrapped in the glow of twinkling lights, model trains wind their way through an enchanting world featuring replicas of more than 140 New York landmarks. Decorate gingersnaps, explore the Garden grounds, pick up holiday gifts in the Shop—it’s a whole day of fun for the entire family.

Learn more about the show

Say “HEALTHY AGING” and save 30% weekday tickets through December 17*

Purchase tickets on site at the Garden or by phone at 718.817.8716 (mention “HEALTHY AGING” to redeem, Mon.–Sat., 10 a.m.–5 p.m. EST).

Check show hours and availability

*Offer Valid ONLY when you use code “HEALTHY AGING”. Valid weekdays Dec. 6 - Dec . 17. Offer subject to availability. Orders are limited to 8 tickets. Discount cannot be combined with any other promotional offer or previously purchased tickets. Discount may be modified or withdrawn without prior notice. Tickets are not refundable or exchangeable.

New information on how much vitamin D and calcium is needed to maintain health

2010-11-30T07:41:00.000-05:00

Many people over 50 can relate to this: a standard recommendation by physicians during the annual physical is "increase vitamin D" and "take calcium supplements" for bone health.

Well, that may not be wise advice according to a new report from the Insitute of Medicine.

Most Americans and Canadians up to age 70 need no more than 600 international units (IUs) of vitamin D per day to maintain health, and those 71 and older may need as much as 800 IUs, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine. The amount of calcium needed ranges, based on age, from 700 to 1,300 milligrams per day, according to the report, which updates the nutritional reference values known as Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for these interrelated nutrients.

Read more...

My Pet / My Job: What Your Pet Says About Your Career

2010-11-19T06:57:00.000-05:00

My Pet / My Job: Are you a cat person or a dog person and what does that mean for the job you chose or will choose?

A new survey looks at pet ownership in relation to chosen profession, compensation and job satisfaction. Read more...

Your Money -- Should You Choose Overdraft Protection?

2010-11-17T06:35:00.000-05:00

Majority of Consumers Want Right to Choose Whether to Be Covered by Fee-Based Overdraft Program

Two months after new federal regulations started requiring banks to get their customers' permission before signing them up for costly debit card overdraft programs, a national poll by the Consumer Reports National Research Center has found that only one-fifth of consumers holding an ATM or debit card have chosen to opt-in.

The poll found that 22 percent have signed up to have their ATM/debit card transactions covered for a fee if they don't have enough money in their checking accounts to cover them. A large majority of poll respondents said they wanted the same right to choose whether to be covered by fee-based overdraft programs for check transactions.

"Now that banks are no longer allowed to automatically enroll customers into high-cost debit overdraft loan programs, the vast majority of consumers are saying 'no thanks,'" said Pam Banks, Senior Policy Counsel for Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports. "Consumers shouldn't opt-in to high-cost overdraft loan programs because there are more affordable options available when checking account funds fall short. Bank customers should have the same right to choose when it comes to overdraft programs covering checks."
Of those consumers who signed up to have debit card or ATM transactions covered for a fee, the poll revealed that 55 percent had experienced an overdraft in the past six months.

This finding is not surprising given the aggressive and oftentimes misleading "opt-in" marketing tactics many banks target at customers who overdraw their accounts. These marketing materials often drive customers to high-cost coverage while failing to market cheaper alternatives. Thirty-nine percent of those who had overdrafted their account in the past six months chose not to sign up for such coverage. Read more...

5 Tips for Caring for the Caregiver

2010-11-10T10:35:00.000-05:00

November is National Family Caregivers Month. Often, seriously ill people have an extensive at-home support system in the form of caregivers. These caregivers provide help with everything from cooking to emotional support to medical paperwork. Judith Black, medical director for Highmark Senior Markets offers 5 tips to help reduce the physical and mental stress involved in caring for a loved one with a serious illness.

CLICK HERE FOR 5 TIPS

12 Ideas for How to Rejuvenate Yourself This Fall or Holiday Season

2010-11-02T07:11:00.000-04:00

Travel is one way to keep the creative juices going, re-charge or just make us happy. Why wait again for summer to spread your wings? Here are 12 ideas for how to rejuvenate yourself this Fall or Holiday Season:
A Parade in Minneapolis, a dining experience in Roanoke, IN; film festival in Woodstock, VT, winter adventure in Ouray, CO, spa experiences in Bermuda, Cayman Islands or Jamaica, Napa Valley festivities, Thanksgiving in Ashville, NC, camping in Broken Bow, OK.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE DETAILS

Take the Brain Quiz

2010-10-12T06:57:00.000-04:00

Clues to Your Health in the Brain
This test allows you to look at all areas of your body, picking up any symptoms of disease in the early stages. The secret to effective health care is to catch any issues early to prevent hospital stays, surgery or near death events.

The Age Print Quiz gives us many clues to your health by looking at brain function, sensory perception, sleep patterns, mood, memory, weight gain or loss, skin condition, sexual drive, digestion, and stress levels. The answers you give are a vital piece of your health picture.

Take the Quiz

Yoko Ono to Judge Special John Lennon Songwriting Contest Honoring Legend's 70th Birthday Anniversary

2010-10-09T07:19:00.000-04:00

Winner receives an electric Epiphone "Inspired By" John Lennon Casino Guitar

The John Lennon Songwriting Contest (JLSC) is celebrating the anniversary of John Lennon's 70th Birthday on October 9, 2010, with a special tribute contest. The JLSC is currently accepting submissions from all music genres for songs inspired by John's visions of peace, love, political activism and free expression. One winner and two runners up will be selected by Yoko Ono and announced on November 15, 2010. Entries will be judged on originality, melody, composition, and lyrics (when applicable). Further details

Freebies, discounts and resources for 50-plus crowd

2010-09-17T10:23:00.012-04:00

Re-energize your "back to school" motivation by making a commitment to improve your health. Here are some tips, free stuff, discounts and resources to help you make the leap.

1. EAT FRESH. Add more fruits and vegetables to your diet.
Check this easy calculator to find out how many yoiu need per day. Click here for on line calculator from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.

2. EXPLORE. Your mind is like a muscle... use it or lose it. This month, choose a new activity to sharpen your mental skills. Check out local universities for fun courses like film studies (NYU), reading and writing with young children (U. of IL, Chicago), personal trainer certification (City College of SF)

3. THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME. More and more people don't want to move from their homes when they retire. Here are tips for how to age in place from the National Institutes of Health

4. GO! Get out and enjoy the American landscape! Fall is the perfect time to travel, and some companies are even encouraging you to go. Red Roof Inns offers a 15 percent off deal to seniors during the month of September. Adults, 50-plus, who stay at participating Red Roof locations across the U.S. will receive a 15 percent discount on their stay. To take advantage of this great deal, seniors should make their reservations in advance at 800.RED.ROOF (800.733.7663) or book online at redroof.com

5. REWARD YOURSELF. Healthy Aging Visa Platinum Card is for those who want to say no to retirement and want a card they are not embarrassed to show... a card that stands for "I am not old... I am active and enjoying life". September special offer: One complimentary VIP card, good for a one-night stay at Red Roof location of choice is offered to the first 100 people who sign up during September for the card and are subsequently approved for the Healthy Aging Visa Platinum Card.

6. GET SOCIAL. Keep up with technology. Don't get left behind. It's easy so you don't have to be intimidated if you haven't tried the new social websites. Get started with these: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

7. EXERCISE. 10,000 STEPS/DAY. Exercise 30 to 60 minutes a day. Or walk 10,000 steps. Free pedometers can be found via the K-Mart website (through October 31, 2010). You need to sign up for their "Shop Your Way Rewards Card" which is free. Click here to see free offer.

RED ROOF® CELEBRATES SENIORS IN SEPTEMBER WITH 15 PERCENT SAVINGS

2010-09-10T09:20:00.002-04:00

In honor of National Grandparents Day on September 12, 2010, Red Roof is celebrating seniors all month long with a special 15 percent discount. Seniors who stay at participating Red Roof locations across the U.S. will receive a 15 percent discount on their stay. Red Roof recognizes seniors as adults age 50 and over. Read more details

September is Healthy Aging Month and the publishers of Healthy Aging, www.healthyaging.net, the on-line magazine website for active older adults, along with Red Roof Inn, the leading economy hotel chain, sweeten the celebration by offering the first 100 people to be approved for the new Healthy Aging Visa Platinum Rewards Card a free night stay with Red Roof Inn. Read more details

Brain Fitness Programs May Help Frail Elderly Walk Faster

2010-08-15T09:30:00.004-04:00

We hear more often now that our brains are like a muscle -- use it or lose it. Now researchers are showing a reason why keeping the mind sharp may help with how you walk. And how to do that? With computerized brain fitness programs or games.

A study led be researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University has found preliminary evidence that such programs may help frail seniors walk faster, potentially preventing disability and improving quality of life. Read more

September is Healthy Aging Month - Ideas for how to celebrate

2010-08-10T08:37:00.002-04:00

We are often asked by health educators about what they can do to help raise awareness of the positive sides of aging.

We created September is Healthy Aging(r) Month over 15 years ago to help with ideas on how to do just that.

The focus for Healthy Aging Month this September is to help facilitate local level promotions, seminars and activities. We have developed a variety of materials including a discussion guide, several videos/DVDs, a neat Healthy Aging brochure/guide hand-out and more.

What you can do

Research Provides Step Toward Paralysis Therapy

2010-08-09T07:18:00.002-04:00

Robust Regeneration of Injured Nerves Achieved for First Time in Adult Mammalian Spinal Cord...

Could this be a step toward discovery of paralysis therapy?

Researchers for the first time have induced robust regeneration of nerve tissue connections in injured adult spinal cord sites that control voluntary movement. These findings provide hope that it may be possible to design therapies for paralysis and other impairments of motor function arising from spinal cord injury. Read full article.

September is Healthy Aging Month

2010-08-06T08:09:00.004-04:00

September is Healthy Aging Month... just a few weeks away. When we created September is Healthy Aging Month and trademarked Healthy Aging, we did so to provide an opportunity for celebrating the positive issues of aging. It's never too late to improve one's physical fitness, social and mental wellness or financial well-being.

Many health organizations and individuals contact us for resources and promotion ideas and we are always ready to help. With over 16 years experience of producing printed materials, TV specials, DVDs, and websites on Healthy Aging, we are excited about the continued progress of our brand. We look forward to this September is Healthy Aging Month as an opportunity to inspire all people 50 and over to think positively about moving forward and taking up activities that help them age healthfully.

What can you do?

Share your secrets for Healthy Aging on this blog.

Share ideas to educators for programs on positive aging. Post your ideas here!

We will continue to promote concepts, information and tips through the Healthy Aging website, the official site and on-line magazine for positive information on aging, as well as printed materials.

We look forward to your tips and receiving public service information and resources that can be posted in our on-line resource guide. Send your information to info@healthyaging.net or post comments here!

Great Blogs on How to Age Positively

2010-07-30T06:55:00.002-04:00

Check out 100 Blogs to Help You Live A Longer Life. A group called Nursingschools.net did the research and has posted it on their site. Good stuff. Click here to see the listing of blogs and links. Are there other blogs that might be added to the list? Let us know by emailing us at info@healthyaging.net

8 Things You Didn't Know About Your Teeth

2010-03-06T06:46:00.003-05:00

Oral Health is often the window to your overall health. Evidence has supported the link between poor oral health and such conditions as stroke, premature birth and diabetes.

One in four adults age 60 and older has lost all of his or her teeth. A good oral hygience program should include twice daily brushing, flossing, eating a balanced diet, limiting between-meal snacks and regular visits to your dentist for professional cleaning and oral exams.

We have a full article on oral health on our website, Healthy Aging, www.healthyaging.net

Healthy Aging Magazine - June 2010

2010-01-26T16:58:00.005-05:00

For over 15 years, I have worked on the development of Healthy Aging, producing public television documentaries, educational materials, an award winning website, books, tapes and a magazine on the subject. I felt so strongly about the concept of positive aging that I trademarked Healthy Aging in a variety of categories. The website, http://www.healthyaging.net/ has served as our on-line magazine for a number of years. We have had print versions and now intend to continue the print magazine coupled with the on-line magazine.

When I started focusing on the concept, the baby boomers were about to turn 50. No one wanted to talk about growing older. Now that our healthcare system as we have known it is in jeopardy, and now that the boomers are about to turn 65, the time is right for us to focus more on the printed version. Everyone wants to know how to improve themselves, how to re-invent their lives. The last thing they want to hear about is how decrepit they are or will be. They want to know, not so much, "where will I be in 5 years?", but rather "how will I spend my next 50 years" and Healthy Aging Magazine is here to help.

Can't sleep? Could be making you dumb...

2009-11-04T09:07:00.002-05:00

There's more to waking up all night than just feeling terrible the next day. A study by Rockefeller University is showing that a disruptive night's sleep can cause you to gain weight, become impulsive and just plain dumb. Read more here

Wondering if you have the flu? Check out the self-test by Microsoft

2009-10-07T08:43:00.001-04:00

One of the worst parts about the Swine Flu/H1/N1 epidemic is wondering everytime you sneeze if you are a victim. Before you run off to the doctor, you might want to check out a new online self-assessment tool created by Microsoft with Emory University. Click here for more news about this... www.healthyaging.net

Don't vegetate in front of TV or you will lose your mind... really!

2009-09-24T09:31:00.001-04:00

Doing things that keep the mind active may beat vegetating by the TV for middle aged and older people as a way to keep their minds sharp in old age.

Mayo Clinic researcher Yonas Geda examined data on about 1,300 randomly selected people aged 70 to 89 who lived in Rochester, Minnesota. Data were collected on intellectually stimulating activities within the past year and between age 50 and 65.

Geda was looking for signs of mild cognitive impairment – when thinking and memory are a bit off what they should be. According to Geda, "Activities such as social activities, reading books, seem to be beneficial. They are associated with a decreased risk of mild cognitive impairment."
The study presented at a meeting of the American Academy of Neurology was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

Tulsa World: Great Article on Healthy Aging Month

2009-09-23T12:25:00.002-04:00

Great article by Glenda Armstrong, clinical manager, program development with the Long Term Care Management Authority in Tulsa
http://www.tulsaworld.com/opinion/article.aspx?subjectid=65&articleid=20090923_65_A17_Afello275899

Vitamin D and Hip Fractures

2009-09-16T07:47:00.002-04:00

Healthy Aging News: Did you know how important Vitamin D is to helping prevent fractures? Some say more important than calcium. So how do you get vitamin D? Sun... for one thing. But what about all of the advice to stay out of the sun? Well, 20 minutes per day, both arms and legs, is important. What if you can't get out into the sun? Then it's time to re-think your diet (fish, milk, fortified cereals, etc) and look for vitamin rich foods, or for some, nutritional supplements. Read more...

Flu Fighting Foods

2009-09-14T08:14:00.004-04:00

Healthy Aging®: While you are debating whether or not you should get the swine flu /H1N1 vaccination, you might consider preventive measures that you can take yourself. Washing your hands, staying home when you are sick so you don't spread infection are obvious ones. What about the food you eat? Here are some ideas for flu-fighting foods from the California Dairy Council...http://www.healthyaging.net/

Reduce Your Healthcare Costs

2009-09-11T11:36:00.002-04:00

On September 12, thousands of people will be gathering in Washington, DC at the foot of the capitol to declare their concern about rising costs of healthcare and taxes. Many people are worried that their healthcare policies will be changed through the possible government healthcare proposal. One way that everyone can help keep down healthcare costs is to take personal responsibility for their own health -- whether it is diet, exercise, regular visits to the doctor or keeping their mental wellness in check by improving their positive outlook on life. What are your ideas for how to keep healthcare costs down?

September is Healthy Aging® Month - www.healthyaging.net

2009-08-25T07:02:00.001-04:00

September is Healthy Aging® Month

Begin Your Training for Your Older Years Now!
September is Healthy Aging® Month is an annual health observance month designed to focus national attention on the positive aspects of growing older. The month, created by Educational Television Network over 15 years ago, is part of the Healthy Aging®, a national, ongoing health promotion designed to broaden awareness of the positive aspects of aging and to provide inspiration for adults, ages 50-plus, to improve their physical, mental, social and financial health.

In an effort to draw attention to the needs of the growing numbers of older adults, the month was developed to offer a second month on the calendar in addition to May is Older Americans Month. September was chosen as a time when many people think about getting started on new tasks after the summer. Drawing on the “back to school” urge embedded in everyone from childhood, the observance month activities are designed to encourage people to rejuvenate and get going on positive health measures. These measures include physical, social, financial and mental wellness.

According to Carolyn Worthington, ETNET president, “we saw a need to draw attention to the ‘myths’ of aging, to shout out – ‘hey, it’s not too late to take control of your health, it’s never too late to get started on something new.’ Why not think about the positive aspects of aging instead of the stereotypes and the negative aspects?”

The health information company created Healthy Aging® Month when the baby boomers were about to turn 50. “At that time, no one wanted to talk about growing older,” Worthington says. “You know, it was that same ‘60’s attitude … don’t trust anyone over 30, ‘hell no we won’t go’…. Today as the boomers turn 60, it’s a different story.”

“We recognized early on that careful attention to the combination of physical, social, mental and financial fitness was powerful in the pursuit of a positive lifestyle and have built our Healthy Aging® programs around that concept for the government and private sector through the development of September is Healthy Aging® Month, TV specials, videos, books, printed material etc.”

What you can do to celebrate September is Healthy Aging® Month? Get in training now for your positive older years… Begin this month to take more personal responsibility for your own health. Here are some ideas:

PHYSICAL FITNESS. Exercise 30 to 60 minutes a day. If you do not know how to get started, you can begin just by walking. Find a friend, don’t delay and make a “date” to meet every day or every other day to walk. Choose fun places to walk, like the local park, shopping mall, or even do laps around the local school track. You will have fun and feel better about yourself immediately.
DIET. Make a commitment to add more fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet. September is still harvest time in many areas so seek out local farmers markets and buy local produce. Don’t cook? Make it a point to try to make foods from scratch… skip the processed foods as much as you can.
MENTAL WELLNESS. Keep your mind sharp. This month, choose a new activity that will sharpen your mental skills. What about taking piano lessons? It’s never too late! Check out your local continuing education at schools, senior centers, YMCA’s, YWCA’s for opportunities. There are many one day, or one evening courses to spark you imagination.
SOCIAL WELLNESS. Happy older adults often cite the importance of a social network. Feeling lonely? Make it a point to call at least one person every few days to “connect.” Make a date to have lunch and just “catch up”. What about volunteering your time? You will give of yourself, be around others and help someone in need. A win-win for all!

Do you have tips for positive aging? Share them on line. Post your ideas of how you take positive steps toward better health care. Go to www.healthyaging.net and share your ideas!

For further information and resources, go to the official Healthy Aging® website: www.healthyaging.net. For a Healthy Aging® brochure, filled with more tips and techniques, send $2.00 to Educational Television Network, Inc., (ETNET), PO Box 442, Unionville, PA 19375

September is Healthy Aging Month...

2009-08-22T08:21:00.004-04:00

Healthy Aging® Update: Over 15 years ago, we trademarked Healthy Aging® so we could bring the best, most inspiring and accurate information to the public in the form of printed materials, videos, website news and now magazine format and DVDs. We are excited with the progress of our brand and look to this September as another inspirational month for all people 50 and over to think hard about moving forward and taking up activities that help them age healthfully.

When we created September is Healthy Aging® Month and trademarked Healthy Aging®, we had no idea the country would embrace the initiatives as they have. It's never to late to improve one's physical fitness, social and mental wellness or financial well-being. Many health organizations contact us for resources and promotion ideas and we are thrilled to help them inspire their constituents.

We will continue to promote these concepts through the Healthy Aging® website, the official site and on-line magazine for positive infomation on aging, as well as printed materials. Our goal is to provide an accurate resource center for educators and the public who wish information on how to age positively.

We look forward to hearing your tips and receiving public service information and resources that can be posted in our on-line resource guide. Send information to info@healthyaging.net to be considered.

Humana Cycling Program Burns Calories, Spreads Goodwill

2009-08-22T07:58:00.001-04:00

Humana's bike share program proved to burn calories and spread goodwill at Senior Games... read more at Healthy Aging on line magazine

What are your tips for positive aging?

2009-08-20T07:51:00.000-04:00

Help Others With Your Advice on What Makes You Happy or Keeps You on The Road to Better Health

September is Healthy Aging® Month, an annual observance month created by the producers of Healthy Aging®, www.healthyaging.net . From August through the end of September, tips and advice on positive aging from the website and newsletter followers are welcome. Share your "secrets". Post your ideas of how you take positive steps toward better health care... is it physical fitness? Diet and nutrition ideas? Social wellness? Mental Wellness? What about financial wellbeing? Let us know! Share your ideas with the 350,000 visitors to our site by posting your comment below.

Senior Games Begin

2009-08-01T07:46:00.002-04:00

The Senior Games begin today in San Francisco. Over 10,000 athletes are out to prove sports are not just for the young. Read the details here: www.healthyaging.net

Say No To Retirement... you'll be glad you did...

2009-07-27T07:57:00.003-04:00

You may have heard that your mind is like any other muscle... use it or lose it. Now, important research shows that saying no to retirement is more than a financial wellness step... it's good for your brain. Read more

Healthcare Bill -- What is Your Opinion?

2009-07-26T10:24:00.003-04:00

The healthcare reform bill is in the House of Representatives, all 1018 pages of it. The objective of the bill is listed as "to provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending and for other purposes."

Have you read it? You can by clicking here

What's your opinion? Post your thoughts on this blog and on Healthy Aging®, the official site for positive aging.

Seniors: Vouchers for Fresh Food & Veggies at Farmers Markets

2009-07-19T07:50:00.003-04:00

The USDA has a terrific program: Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program. The goal is to provide fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs from farmers' markets, roadside stands and community supported agriculture programs to low-income seniors as well as to encourage more seniors to include fresh foods in their diet. At the same time, the program is helping to develop new farmers' markets, roadside stands, and community support agriculture programs (CSAs)

Who is eligible for SFMNP benefits? Low-income seniors, generally defined as individuals who are at least 60 years old and who have household incomes of not more than 185% of the federal poverty income guidelines (published each year by the Department of Health and Human Services), are the targeted recipients of SFMNP benefits.

Some State agencies accept proof of participation or enrollment in another means-tested program, such as the Commodity Supplemental Food Program or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, for SFMNP eligibility.

When does the SFMNP operate? SFMNP benefits are provided to eligible recipients for use during the harvest season. In some States, the SFMNP season is relatively short, because the growing season in that area is not very long. In other States with longer growing seasons, recipients have a longer period of time in which to use their SFMNP benefits. For more information, click here

New Report Finds Obesity Epidemic...Fat Kids Become Fat Adults

2009-07-03T05:38:00.000-04:00

Adult obesity rates increased in 23 states and did not decrease in a single state in the past year, according to F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies Are Failing in America 2009, a report released today by the Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). In addition, the percentage of obese and overweight children is at or above 30 percent in 30 states.

“Our health care costs have grown along with our waist lines,” said Jeff Levi, Ph.D., executive director of TFAH. “The obesity epidemic is a big contributor to the skyrocketing health care costs in the United States. How are we going to compete with the rest of the world if our economy and workforce are weighed down by bad health?”

Mississippi had the highest rate of adult obesity at 32.5 percent, making it the fifth year in a row that the state topped the list. Four states now have rates above 30 percent, including Mississippi, West Virginia (31.2 percent), Alabama (31.1 percent) and Tennessee (30.2 percent).

Eight of the 10 states with the highest percentage of obese adults are in the South. Colorado continued to have the lowest percentage of obese adults at 18.9 percent.
Adult obesity rates now exceed 25 percent in 31 states and exceed 20 percent in 49 states and Washington, D.C. Two-thirds of American adults are either obese or overweight. In 1991, no state had an obesity rate above 20 percent. In 1980, the national average for adult obesity was 15 percent. Sixteen states experienced an increase for the second year in a row, and 11 states experienced an increase for the third straight year.

Mississippi also had the highest rate of obese and overweight children (ages 10 to 17) at 44.4 percent. Minnesota and Utah had the lowest rate at 23.1 percent. Eight of the 10 states with the highest rates of obese and overweight children are in the South. Childhood obesity rates have more than tripled since 1980.

“Reversing the childhood obesity epidemic is a critical ingredient for delivering a healthier population and making health reform work,” said Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, M.D., M.B.A., RWJF president and CEO. “If we can prevent the current generation of young people from developing the serious and costly chronic conditions related to obesity, we can not only improve health and quality of life, but we can also save billions of dollars and make our health care systems more efficient and sustainable.”

The F as in Fat report contains rankings of state obesity rates and a review of federal and state government policies aimed at reducing or preventing obesity. Some additional key findings from F as in Fat 2009 include:

The current economic crisis could exacerbate the obesity epidemic. Food prices, particularly for more nutritious foods, are expected to rise, making it more difficult for families to eat healthy foods. At the same time, safety-net programs and services are becoming increasingly overextended as the numbers of unemployed, uninsured and underinsured continue to grow. In addition, due to the strain of the recession, rates of depression, anxiety and stress, which are linked to obesity for many individuals, also are increasing.

Nineteen states now have nutritional standards for school lunches, breakfasts and snacks that are stricter than current USDA requirements. Five years ago, only four states had legislation requiring stricter standards.

Twenty-seven states have nutritional standards for competitive foods sold a la carte, in vending machines, in school stores or in school bake sales. Five years ago, only six states had nutritional standards for competitive foods.

Twenty states have passed requirements for body mass index (BMI) screenings of children and adolescents or have passed legislation requiring other forms of weight-related assessments in schools. Five years ago, only four states had passed screening requirements.

A recent analysis commissioned by TFAH found that the Baby Boomer generation has a higher rate of obesity compared with previous generations. As the Baby Boomer generation ages, obesity-related costs to Medicare and Medicaid are likely to grow significantly because of the large number of people in this population and its high rate of obesity. And, as Baby Boomers become Medicare-eligible, the percentage of obese adults age 65 and older could increase significantly. Estimates of the increase in percentage of obese adults range from 5.2 percent in New York to 16.3 percent in Alabama.

Key report recommendations for addressing obesity within health reform include:
Ensuring every adult and child has access to coverage for preventive medical services, including nutrition and obesity counseling and screening for obesity-related diseases, such as type 2 diabetes;

Increasing the number of programs available in communities, schools, and childcare settings that help make nutritious foods more affordable and accessible and provide safe and healthy places for people to engage in physical activity; and Reducing Medicare expenditures by promoting proven programs that improve nutrition and increase physical activity among adults ages 55 to 64.

The report also calls for a National Strategy to Combat Obesity that would define roles and responsibilities for federal, state and local governments and promote collaboration among businesses, communities, schools and families. It would seek to advance policies that
Provide healthy foods and beverages to students at schools;

Increase the availability of affordable healthy foods in all communities;
Increase the frequency, intensity, and duration of physical activity at school;
Improve access to safe and healthy places to live, work, learn, and play;
Limit screen time; and Encourage employers to provide workplace wellness programs.

The full report with state rankings in all categories is available on TFAH's Web site at www.healthyamericans.org and RWJF's Web site at www.rwjf.org. The report was supported by a grant from RWJF.

State-by-State Adult Obesity Rankings
Note: 1 = Highest rate of adult obesity, 51 = lowest rate of adult obesity. Rankings are based on combining three years of data (2006-2008) from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to "stabilize" data for comparison purposes. This methodology, recommended by the CDC, compensates for any potential anomalies or usual changes due to the specific sample in any given year in any given state. States with a statistically significant (p<0.05) increase for one year are noted with an asterisk (*), states with statistically significant increases for two years in a row are noted with two asterisks (**), states with statistically significant increases for three years in a row are noted with three asterisks (***). Additional information about methodologies and confidence interval is available in the report. Adults with a body mass index, a calculation based on weight and height ratios, of 30 or higher are considered obese.
1. Mississippi*** (32.5%); 2. Alabama* (31.2%); 3. West Virginia (31.1%); 4. Tennessee*** (30.2%); 5. South Carolina (29.7%); 6. Oklahoma*** (29.5%); 7. Kentucky (29.0%); 8. Louisiana (28.9%); 9. Michigan*** (28.8%) 10. (tie) Arkansas (28.6%) and Ohio* (28.6%); 12. North Carolina*** (28.3%); 13. Missouri (28.1%); 14. (tie) Georgia (27.9%) and Texas (27.9%); 16. Indiana (27.4%); 17. Delaware*** (27.3%); 18. (tie) Alaska (27.2%) and Kansas*** (27.2%) 20. (tie) Nebraska (26.9%) and South Dakota*** (26.9%); 22. (tie) Iowa (26.7%) and North Dakota* (26.7%) and Pennsylvania** 26.7%; 25. (tie) Maryland*** (26.0%) and Wisconsin (26.0%); 27. Illinois 25.9%; 28. (tie) Oregon (25.4%) and Virginia (25.4) and Washington*** (25.4%); 31. Minnesota (25.3%); 32. Nevada* 25.1%; 33. (tie) Arizona** (24.8%) and Idaho (24.8%); 35. Maine* (24.7%); 36. New Mexico*** (24.6%); 37. New York** (24.5%) 38. Wyoming (24.3%); 39. (tie) Florida* (24.1%) and New Hampshire (24.1%); 41. California (23.6%); 42. New Jersey (23.4%); 43. Montana** (22.7%); 44. Utah (22.5%); 45. District of Columbia (22.3%); 46. Vermont** (22.1%); 47. Hawaii* (21.8%); 48. Rhode Island (21.7%); 49. Connecticut (21.3%); 50. Massachusetts (21.2%); 51. Colorado (18.9%)
State-by-State Obese and Overweight Children Ages 10-17 Rankings
Note: 1 = Highest rate of childhood overweight, 51 = lowest. Rankings are based on the National Survey of Children’s Health, a phone survey of parents with children ages 10-17 conducted in 2007 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Additional information about methodologies and confidence intervals is available in the report. Children with a body mass index, a calculation based on weight and height ratios, at or above the 95th percentile for their age are considered obese and children at or above the 85th percentile are considered overweight. States with statistically significant (p<0.05) increases in combined obesity and overweight since the NSCH was last issued in 2003 are noted with an asterisk (*).
1. Mississippi* (44.4%); 2. Arkansas (37.5%); 3. Georgia (37.3%); 4. Kentucky (37.1%) 5. Tennessee (36.5%) 6. Alabama (36.1%); 7. Louisiana (35.9%); 8. West Virginia (35.5%); 9. District of Columbia (35.4%); 10. Illinois (34.9%); 11. Nevada* (34.2%); 12. Alaska (33.9%); 13. South Carolina (33.7%); 14. North Carolina (33.5%); 15. Ohio (33.3%); 16. Delaware (33.2%); 17. Florida (33.1%); 18. New York (32.9%); 19. New Mexico (32.7%) 20. Texas (32.2%) 21. Nebraska (31.5%); 22. Kansas (31.1%); 23. (tie) Missouri (31.0%) and New Jersey (31.0%) and Virginia (31.0%); 26. (tie) Arizona (30.6%) and Michigan (30.6%); 28. California (30.5%); 29. Rhode Island (30.1%); 30. Massachusetts (30.0%) 31. Indiana (29.9%) 32. Pennsylvania (29.7%); 33. (tie) Oklahoma (29.5%) and Washington (29.5%); 35. New Hampshire (29.4%); 36. Maryland (28.8%); 37. Hawaii (28.5%); 38. South Dakota (28.4%); 39. Maine (28.2%); 40. Wisconsin (27.9%); 41. Idaho (27.5%); 42. Colorado (27.2%); 43. Vermont (26.7%); 44. Iowa (26.5%); 45. (tie) Connecticut (25.7%) and North Dakota (25.7%) and Wyoming (25.7%); 48. Montana (25.6%); 49. Oregon (24.3%); 50. (tie) Minnesota (23.1%) and Utah (23.1%) Source: Robert Woods Johnson Foundation