Category: Health/Fitness

Change Course

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 Change Course, You’ll Feel Better

Change Course, You’ll Feel Better

 

By D.S. Mitchell

 

Lyin’ Eyes and Mouth

I could feel my blood boiling as I watched Donald Trump’s ugly orange face come into focus as Chris Hayes switches to Trump and a meeting of his billionaire cabinet. Holy Christmas! What a disgusting display of the ultra wealthy making disastrous decisions that effect the remaining 98% of us. Before he could even open his ‘lyin mouth, I sensed my blood pressure going stratospheric. Our tariff king say he’s tired of hearing about affordability and he doesn’t want to hear any more about such nonsense. “All fake news. Best economy in history.”  I could only tolerate about 2 minutes of his crap and con before I switched the channel to Cold Case Files where at least in the end the family always  gets an answer.

Ranting and Raging

After about 10 minutes of ranting and raging instead of calming down I was actually ramping myself up about something that I had little power to change. I remembered my psychology classes and implemented long proven ways to relax; deep breathing, meditation, or stepping away from the drama. I guess in the case of Trump I need a better distraction than a 2 decade old TV show. The only message here is don’t let the current political situation cause you physical or emotional distress. Deep breathe.

Outraged and Angry

Between the wars in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Nigeria, the rollbacks of human rights, mass shootings, cuts to Medicaid and Medicare, ACA subsidies, the extreme weather events, it is easy to feel outraged, overwhelmed, and in many ways helpless and hopeless. As I’ve grown older I have learned that even in the darkest places, the human spirt can find light and hope when we come together.  Do what you can in your neighborhood. Feed a hungry person, volunteer at a shelter or the local hospital, speak up for human rights, voting rights, start  a pod cast or a website, and be sure to protest.  You might not be able to effect events in Gaza or Ukraine but you can help someone in your community, and that local action makes a big difference to you as the giver, and to those who benefit from your contribution of time, energy, or money.

Powerful Positive Emotions

Giving and volunteering triggers powerful positive emotions known as “helpers high.”  When we help others dopamine and oxytocin flood our brain, reducing stress, boosting happiness, and creating feelings of purpose, self worth, and connection while also enhancing empathy and energy. As we become more connected to our community, we shift focus from our personal struggles and worries to helping others.  Like Hillary said, “We’re Stronger Together.”

Put Zing In Your Step

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Put Zing In Your Step

Put Zing In Your Step

 

By D.S. Mitchell                                                                       

Hamster on a Wheel

I know somedays are harder than others, but if you’re feeling like that hamster on a wheel and your energy has gotten up and gone-here are a few strategies to put a smile back on your face and the zing in your step.

Start Laughing

In case you didn’t know, laughing increases your body’s intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates your heart, lungs, and muscles. Laughing also triggers the release of endorphins, which boost your energy level and mood. A University of Nebraska at Lincoln study, found that people who watched a funny 10 minute long video, such as a cat riding a rumba vacuum around the living room felt energized by the experience. So, look for funny, and laugh loud, and hard.

Small Talk

Brief, pleasant exchanges with people you don’t know or barely know can enhance happiness, mood, energy, and overall satisfaction with life.  A willingness to meet new people (no matter how briefly) and engage in some small conversation is guaranteed to improve both your physical and mental health. So, go ahead, I give you permission to initiate a conversation in the check out line at Walmart. As an older adult female I suggest that you initiate conversations with women with small dogs or small children. I’m not suggesting anything other than you don’t want to give a strange guy the wrong idea. Other than that grandmotherly caution; socialize away.

Get Moving

Exercise fires up the autonomic nervous system. Exercise gets your heart pumping and raises your blood pressure all the while improving blood flow through the brain. You don’t need to hit the gym; a brisk walk around the neighborhood, 20 minutes of light exercise in your living room; a couple sets of wall push ups, a few jumping jacks, some standing crunches. I know when you are tired and feeling fatigued all the time, exercise may be the last thing you think you need, but as is frequently the case, exercise is probably just what you need.

Change It Up

The nucleus accumbens is the part of your brain that is associated with motivation and pleasure, but if it is not stimulated it likes to go to sleep. So, if you’re feeling bored, you are probably feeling tired. Alice Boyes, PhD., author of The Healthy Mind Toolkit, suggests to stimulate the nucleus accumbens, we need to mix things up, rearrange the furniture, buy a new comforter for your bed, pour the milk into the bowl before the cereal. Get the idea?

How About Karaoke?

There is a study for everyone they say; according to one such study at Sam Houston State University, singing and tapping your foot to the music causes an endorphin rush. So if you want to enhance music’s energizing effect start singing and dancing. Sing in the shower, sing in your car, join the local bar crowd for some Karaoke fun, and keep tapping that foot.

Use Imagination

Numerous studies indicate that being out in nature makes us feel more alive and energetic. Getting on that forest trail may be too hard for many of us city dwellers, however some of those same studies indicate that just imagining that you are out in nature delivers a similar effect. You can add a poster of a mountain, a river, or a creek to your office wall. How about a gorgeous photo of the outdoors as your screensaver on your PC? Or, install a beautiful forest scene as your phone’s home screen. Studies have proven this is a great technique to release energy boosting endorphins.

Cold Showers and Big Drinks

Change your usual hot morning shower to a cold shower and you will increase your circulation, heart rate, and oxygen intake, and you will feel more alert and energetic. To keep that refreshed feeling throughout the day all you have to do is head into the bathroom for a cold water face splash. The second part of the water story is a reminder to stay hydrated. When our body is low on fluids one of the first signs of the deficit is fatigue. For the average healthy adult 64 oz or 8 cups of water is a reasonable starting point, but it’s not enough for everyone. Fluid needs vary based on age, sex, activity level, climate, and health status. Official guidelines from the National Academy of Medicine suggest higher daily fluid intakes, including fluid from all sources like food and other beverages. To know if 64 ounces is enough, monitor your body’s signals, such as thirst and urine color (pale yellow indicates good hydration). 

Keep It Up

Hope these tips help to keep you active and engaged in life. Don’t let fatigue and lack of energy rob you of fun filled days.

Let’s Get Up and Get Moving

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Let’s Get Up and Get Moving

Let’s Get Up and Get Moving

Editor: A version of this article was published on 10/17/2017

D. S. Mitchell

 

No News

It’s no news that our society is becoming more sedentary and overweight. Many of us spend hours behind a desk at our jobs and then go home where we spend more hours watching TV and perusing the internet before falling into bed exhausted.  We drive our cars to the McDonald’s drive thru, order  our food and never even get out of our cars.  We use our computers to shop, without ever leaving the house.  With decreased activity people are increasingly complaining of posture related aches and pains, weight gain, depression, joint pain, anxiety, and low self-esteem.

Too Much

Just like we enjoy eating and drinking too much, we enjoy sitting and doing nothing too much. We are surrounded by cars, salty snacks, elevators and escalators, sugary drinks and fast foods. The problem has become serious enough that the World Health Organization has an agenda focused on encouraging physical activity. In other words folks, the world is experiencing a crisis in health, created by being inactive and being too fat for our own good.

Try Vigorous Movement

A “Black Dog Institute” of Australia, in a decades old study, found that 1-2 hours of exercise per week can prevent depression and suicide. In addition to improved mental health multiple world-wide studies have shown that vigorous movement can stave off heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, fatigue, diabetes, and even cancer.

“Sitting Disease”

Our country, and most of the industrialized economies are suffering from chronic “sitting”.  Physical inactivity is one of  the top 10 causes of disease and disability according to a recent UK government study, they in fact have diagnosed 1 in 6 deaths to “sitting disease” which is equal to the number of deaths related to smoking in the UK.

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Correct Disposal of Medications

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Correct Disposal Of Medications

Correct Disposal Of Medications

D. S. Mitchell

I had a killer headache so I went looking for a couple Tylenol. I found it in the bathroom and was about to swallow two extra strength capsules with a glass of water, when for some reason I noticed the expiration date. Holy Moly, it had expired three years ago. That knowledge shook me up a bit. After that small shocker I decided to check the expiration dates on every bottle of medication in the house; from dog de-wormer to the Vitamin C gummies. The next bottle, a prescription for Flexeril, was outdated by 10 months.  I was two for two. Not good. Next,  was a bottle of cough syrup, expired the previous year. I was still batting 100%.

I guess all I’m saying is that watching expiration dates often gets over looked. Most expiration dates have more to do with effectiveness than dangerousness, such as if I’d taken that 3 year old Tylenol it probably wouldn’t have killed me or even made me sick, but it probably wouldn’t have helped with my headache  either.

If you haven’t checked the expirations on your meds recently take a few minutes and do it. Remember the longer it is past expiration the less effective it is. That’s not good news when you have a monster size headache or some other ailment.

If your medicine chest is full of outdated medications, or medications you no longer take or need and you are wondering how to correctly dispose of them I have some information for you.  The best option is to use community-based drug disposal programs. Go to the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) website, dea.gov and use their search tool to find an authorized drug disposal collector in your area.

If you don’t find a program in your area call your local hospital or your local police department or county sheriff. Almost always one of these entities have disposal programs. As a last resort you may be forced to dispose of them yourself. Please do not flush down the toilet, or sink. These toxins are dangerous to animals, fish and water systems.

Many medications include specific disposal instructions, please follow any specific disposal instructions if they are available. The FDA advises that if there are no disposal instructions, do as follows: If the medication comes in tablet form, crush thoroughly. If medication is capsules, open capsules and release contents.  1). Mix medication with used coffee grounds, kitty litter or dirt/sand to disguise the medication making it less desirable to children, pets and drug seekers. 2). Place the mixture in a sealable bag, place the bag into a can or other container to prevent the medication from leaking out of the garbage bag. 3). Be sure to obliterate any personal information on your prescription bottles before you throw them away; to protect your identity and health information..

In my case, when it was all said and done, I had one of those gift sized (you know the little guys like from Tiffany’s in my case from “The Red Canary” shopping bags, full of outdated and unneeded medications. I guess I am a “closet” hoarder. Or, just inattentive.

In my case, it turned out that the local PD did indeed offer a safe disposal program. I took my bag of meds into the cop shop where an officer dumped them into a secured bin. The officer told me the drugs “would be incinerated,” and off I went. Easy Peasy.

I hope this little piece of life experience helps you think about expiration dates on medications and if you have any outdated meds how to correctly dispose of them. So remember, before you just toss that old outdated medication into the trash, or flush it down the toilet, be a good citizen, dispose of drugs responsibly. The fish and other wildlife critters will thank you. Our environment is under an unprecedented assault and anything, however small it may seem, such as the correct disposal of medications can be beneficial to our threatened environment.

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 Calamity Politics is an online political news magazine offering, comment, analysis and lots of progressive opinion. Join the New Resistance. Hit the streets-make your voice heard. Be ready for October 18, 2025, lets bring millions into the streets to tell Trumpie Dumpie and his oligarch buddies that we want “No Kings.” Join the New Resistance.

 

 

Life is Like the Lazy River

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Life is Like the Lazy River

Life is Like the Lazy River

Editor: When everything seems to be crashing around you, maybe all you need is a few days on the Lazy River.

By Karen Tate

I felt like I was holding on by a thread after my husband’s heart attack.  I found myself a caretaker while working a full-time job, dealing with our out-of-touch employer, editing my new manuscript for my publisher, keeping my radio show on the air and trying to pay the bills – then the opportunity to spend a couple days floating on the Lazy River at a resort in Las Vegas presented itself.

Yes, it was in the hottest part of summer in Las Vegas, but anything was better than being in the office where I could not shake off my boss’ demoralizing words.  I thought our performance for the last thirty years in his employ buffered us from the angst and vulnerability so many workers were feeling these days, but no.  His reply to my query if my husband could expect sick leave during this health crisis kept echoing in my ears.  “I don’t want to pay Roy for sitting home on the couch!”  (I didn’t yet know about disability.) It took all my strength to refrain from hoping in his next life he came back as a fruit fly, a migrant worker picking strawberries or the guy who cleans out port-o-potties.

So we packed up the car and headed for Las Vegas and the Lazy River.  Days of floating in quiet contemplation was just what I needed to recharge my batteries and have a moment to think about something besides stents, pills, and doctors and how overwhelmed I was feeling.

At first, the Lazy River just allowed, allowed, allowed me to be, with no pressure.  I could drift with no place to go but round and round, softly, gently, and quietly.  Even the kids sharing the Lazy River were not a source of aggravation.  It was peaceful and my brain could click off for a few hours.

As the hours turned into days, I began to feel like myself again and before I knew it the creative juices were flowing and this Lazy River became a source of inspiration.

Sometimes we can just float along in life, easily avoiding the chaos all around us, without having to put forth much effort to avoid turbulence.  We see others around us going under but somehow we’ve managed to catch the current that just steadily pulls us along out of harm’s way.  We may be lucky enough to continue like that for a bit, but sooner or later we’re going to brush up against the rocks.  We might even find ourselves feeling water-boarded as we are unable to avoid getting sucked beneath rapids and struggle to the surface gasping for air.   If we’re lucky, in the next few times around the bend, we might be able to catch our breath.  We feel lucky to maneuver ourselves away from the crushing weight of the waterfalls, large and small, we see along the journey.

As we go round and round, with each turn of the wheel, we learn to adapt.  We discern how to place ourselves so that we float along in the most stable position possible.  We stretch and strengthen our muscles to avoid the rocks and rapids.  We keep an eye on the horizon so we might manage to make our way around log jams.  We wear protective covering to ward off direct hits we might not avoid along the way.  Sometimes if we look for them, gifts will present themselves during the journey, and it is so important to be ready to embrace those moments in gratitude.

Sometimes that Sacred Travel Story is nothing more than a short jaunt to a hotel outside Las Vegas where you can get off the hamster wheel, disconnect from the mundane world for a bit, breathe, and listen to that voice within.  We have all the answers inside ourselves.  We just have to slow down, cut out the distractions and tap into that inner voice. It may sound cliché but its true.

 

**Remember to look for and grab the joy that exists between the rain drops!**

Questionable Health Care Habits

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Questionable Health Care Habits
Readers Digest offers some suggestions when kissing your dog and other questionable habits.Questionable Health Care Habits 

 

D.S. Mitchell

Bored

While I was waiting to get my oil changed, I tired of playing cell phone solitaire and began to search through stacks of magazines in the waiting area. I soon found the September 2024 Reader’s Digest, and  Rosemary Counter’s terrific article on our many loathsome, unclean, and totally disgusting behaviors that we should probably stop doing.  The title of the piece was, “Do You Kiss Your Dog?” I’ll do a short recap of the article but I suggest you find the original article and read it, Rosemary is much funnier than I am.

Best By

Just because it says “best if used by” such and such date, does not mean the product is any less flavorful if used after the highlighted date. An item may not be at  peak favor but still safe to eat. Remember you can’t always trust your eyes or your sense of smell. It you are seriously concerned about how long the item has been hiding at the back of the refrigerator throw it away, or check out the FDA website for specific guidelines.

Cutting Corners

1). I know you’ve done it. The package of cheddar cheese has a blemish (mold) and you just cut it off. It seems, according to experts, that if there is some mold growing on cured meats and hard cheeses its probably just fine to cut off the area that shows the mold and serve it to your family, no harm done. However, with soft, more porous cheeses like Brue and Feta, or soft produce like strawberries it is best to throw the item away.

Kissing the Dog

2). According to Rosemary’s article more than 61% of dog owners admit to kissing their dogs on the mouth. I love my fur baby but no way to this one. I’ve watched, I know where that tongue has been and I sure don’t want any of those leftovers inside me. Despite the need to bond with your animal there is a good chance such face to face loving will result in an animal-to-human spread of disease. Pasteurella the source of skin inflammation and joint infections, Salmonella (stomach cramps, fever) and E. coli (diarrhea, blood stream infections) are rampant, not to mention the chance of passing you a parasite.

The Five Second Rule

3). We are all familiar with the five second rule.  If it’s on the floor for less than five seconds it is safe to eat. Stop. If you drop a cookie, a piece of candy, do not pick it up and eat it. Instead, throw it away. Thinking about where your shoes have been in the last couple weeks should be be enough to make you rethink the wisdom of eating any item of food that has landed on the floor for five seconds or for any length of time.

Orphaned Water Bottles

4). Orphaned water bottles. We all have one or two reusable water bottles hanging around, either at the bottom of our gym bag or on the backseat of the car. You’ve rinsed it out but it never gets properly scrubbed. So adding fresh water to that reusable bottle probably isn’t a wise idea, even in a pinch, if you plan on drinking from it. “The inside of that bottle is like a dirty aquarium,” Ms. Counter tells us, “it is filled with viable microorganisms. Perhaps the microorganisms from your mouth’s backwashed flora won’t hurt you but foreign bacteria can sneak into the bottle and multiply.” A water bottle sitting in the car for a few hours becomes a veritable petri dish for microscopic bugs to thrive in. Porous plastic bottles are the most hospitable to bacteria; so it’s best to opt for glass or stainless steel. Whatever you end up drinking from, please wash it every day or two in the dishwasher or with 1 part vinegar and 3 parts water.

Wash Those Hands

5). What we do outside our homes is often very different from what we do behind closed doors. Handwashing is one of those behaviors. We consciously scrub those hands when we are in a public bathroom, but at home we often neglect the serious scrubbing, after all the germs are my own, right? “Even microbes you already harbor can balloon if your immune system is busy fighting something else,” Rosemary Counter warns us. So, scrub those hands like you are in a public restroom.

Peeing in the Shower

6). It has happened to all of us. The warm running water stimulates the bladder to contract, causing a sudden urgency and there’s no stopping the inevitable. Urine is normally sterile and it’s going straight down the drain so there should be no problem. What about public swimming pools, where we know everyone is peeing in the water. Expert’s tell us to be more afraid of swimming in fresh water lakes or rivers that are filled with fish waste and bacteria. The often suspect public swimming pools are loaded with chlorine and the vast amount of water dilutes most human secretions to safe levels.

Pimple Popping

7). Thank God, I’m past picking and popping pimples. Fortunately, I rarely had a bump or a pimple to deal with when I was younger, but when I did have an eruption it was always in the same spot on my chin. It’s a miracle there isn’t a huge scar in that spot on my chin.  Rosemary suggests that you remember every popped pimple is an open wound where evil bacteria can start a skin infection like impetigo, or a yeast based fungus like candida, or God forbid an abysses requiring anti-biotics or surgical drainage.

Toothbrush Sharing

8). If I thought kissing my dog on the lips was totally disgusting; the suggestion that sharing toothbrushes with someone, even my husband/lover, actually happens, literally curled my toes. Yikes. My mom told me my mouth was the dirtiest thing ever, and I believed her. I swear I wouldn’t share my toothbrush with ANYONE. Toothbrushes are easy to come by, you can pick up one anywhere, even the front desk at the hotel. If for some reason you are in an oral hygiene desert, don’t reach for the other guy’s toothbrush, just rinse your mouth with mouthwash or water. Everyone has their own unique delicate bacteria balance, using someone else’s toothbrush can expose you to flu, colds, and even herpes.

Well now that you know the truth about how germs can find there way into our bodies it might be a smart idea to change some of our questionable hygiene habits.

 

Older and Wiser

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Older and Wiser

Enjoying life is important to staying happy and healthy

Older and Wiser

By Cate Rees-Hessel with Wes Hessel

The Last 3 Weeks

The last three weeks have been torturous for Democrats. Joe Biden, one of the greatest presidents of the last 100 years has been under fire because he’s old. The drumbeat to pass the torch to the next generation became too loud to ignore and he has stepped down and endorsed his Vice President, Kamala Harris. Well, we just wanted to remind folks that many people do their best work well into their 80’s.

Age is Just a Number…

Folks in their 70’s, 80’s, and beyond are still going strong. Here are 80 examples of individuals still rockin’ it; capable, determined, and resilient:

  1. Betty White was entertaining audiences until the age of 99 – this Golden Girl let nothing stop her.
  2. Dick Van Dyke – still vital and funny at 98.
  3. Carol Burnett – still as lovely as ever and doing MeTV promos at age 91.
  4. Barbara Eden – pretty as a picture at 92.
  5. Mary Kaye Ash – was still keeping her skin care empire in the pink at 83.
  6. Patrick Stewart – as sexy as can be and still captain of his ship at age 84.
  7. Engelbert Humperdinck still has the pipes to croon the most romantic songs and tour at 88.
  8. Kent McCord (Jim Reed on “Adam-12”) at 81 is still doing voice overs, and involved in the Screen Actors Guild; he and his bride have been married 62 years.
  9. Clara Peller – she brought us the iconic “Where’s the Beef?” line forty years ago, starting her acting career at the age of 81; prior to that she was a manicurist and beautician for 35 years.
  10. Eric Estrada – as handsome as ever, still acting, and assisting law enforcement to help keep children safe at age 75.
  11. Robert Redford – good looking and active activist at the age of 87; as part of his very lengthy resume, he had a role in two Marvel films, the most recent in 2019.
  12. Randolph Mantooth, age 78, and Kevin Tighe, 79 – they continue to advocate for EMS and paramedicine, which their acting work helped create, and recently were working on producing a paramedic reality show.
  13. Rick Springfield – sexy, handsome and tearing up concert stages at age 74
  14. Angela Lansbury – was still acting, beautiful, and elegant at age 97 before she passed away in 2022.
  15. Julie Andrews – beautiful, regal, and still going strong at 88.
  16. Carol King – the phenomenal lady is still lovely and melodic, entertaining audiences at 82.
  17. Barbara Hale – known to many as Della Street, was still very vital at age 94.
  18. Della Reese – an ordained minister and actress until age 86.
  19. Anthony Fauci – now age 83, sustained us through the COVID crisis; director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for 38 years until 2022.
  20. Jonas Salk – director of the virus research lab at the University of Pittsburgh Medical School when he created the polio vaccine; at his Salk Institute, he was diligently working on an AIDS vaccine until his death at age 80.
  21. Stanley Sacks – at age 100, has been practicing law for 75 years in Norfolk, Virginia.
  22. Warren Buffet – he has complained he doesn’t pay his fair share in taxes; at 92, and has been CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, number 7 on the Fortune 500 list, for nearly 60 years.
  23. Roger Penske at age 84 has been CEO for 25 years at Enterprise Products Partners.
  24. Joe Grier, at 99, is working full time at Victory (a Planter Company), making molds for awards and trophies.
  25. Mike Nussbaum – Had the pleasure of sharing appetizers with him at a Chicago Shakespeare reception; at age 99 he was the oldest working actor in America.
  26. Sara Dappen – per oldest.org, at age 92, finally retired from McDonald’s.
  27. Michelin Star sushi chef Jiro Ono – still active at age 97.
  28. Dolly Saville – at age 99, retired from her work as a barmaid at Britain’s Red Lion Pub.
  29. Jim Clements – in Essex, England, worked in the office of a security firm until age 100.
  30. Irving Kahn – retired from investment banking at age 109.
  31. Eileen Kramer – still dancing as a performing ballerina at age 108 – check her moves out on Youtube; she began dancing over 80 years ago in 1943.
  32. Senator Dianne Feinstein – retired last year at the age of 90.
  33. Walter Bingham – at age 99 was the oldest working journalist, in Israel; a heroic Holocaust survivor.
  34. Governor (Republican) Kay Ivey is running the state of Alabama nearing age 80.
  35. Buddy Guy – still touring, singing the blues at age 88.
  36. Dolly Parton – been performing since 1956, this beautiful lady is 78.
  37. The legendary Victor Borge continued to perform until his passing at age 91, having done so for 83 years.
  38. Magda Olivero – opera diva still belting out arias at 96 years old.
  39. Margaret Tunes – was still singing age 104; an African-American beauty that made her Met debut at age 55.
  40. James Ivory – director and screenwriter; won his Academy Award at age 89 in 2018.
  41. George Takei – strident activist, writer, and actor, 87.
  42. Barry Manilow – sensational singer/songwriter; still touring at age 81.
  43. Pope Francis – living a life worthy of Christ, while overseeing the Catholic Church at 87
  44. Robert Di Nero – actor, including recent Oscar nominee for “Killers of the Flower Moon”, father, and family man, recently on the cover of People Magazine, at 80.
  45. King Charles – monarch of the United Kingdom and cancer fighter at age 75.
  46. Lou Zambelli – at 87, still works 7 days a week at the family fireworks plant of the Zambelli pyrotechnic dynasty, manufacturing custom specialty shells (per the company’s website).
  47. Mel Brooks – still active producer/director at 97 years young.
  48. Quincy Jones – continues to produce music at age 90.
  49. Berry Gordy – producer and Motown founder, still going at 94.
  50. Al Pacino – still sexy as ever at 83.
  51. James Earl Jones – still intoning that signature bass in acting at 93.
  52. David Attenborough – another icon at age 97
  53. Michael Caine – still a silver fox at 90.
  54. Martha Stewart – the lifestyle maven, still creating and absolutely beautiful at 82.
  55. Joan Collins still stunning at 90.
  56. William Shatner – 93 and literally out of this world (in sub-orbital space) just 3 years ago, the oldest person in space.
  57. Kim Novak – still lovely and working at age 91.
  58. The “Hart to Hart” favorites still shine – Stephanie Powers at 81, and Robert Wagner, recently active in a recurring role on “NCIS”, at 94.
  59. Willie Nelson – still making music at 90.
  60. The two remaining of the Fab Four – Ringo Starr, 83 and Paul McCartney, 81.
  61. Gene Hackman – still can hack it at 94.
  62. Rita Moreno – full of energy at age 92.
  63. Morgan Freeman – the legend, active actor at 87.
  64. Gena Rowlands – still full of life at age 93.
  65. Eva Marie Saint – one of my favorite actresses; absolutely beautiful, gracious, and talented at 99.
  66. Clint Eastwood – age 93, ‘nuff said.
  67. The powerhouse pair, Lily Tomlin at 84, and Jane Fonda at 86 – both still activist and actors.
  68. Chuck Norris – 84.
  69. Tippi Hedren – vivacious vigor at age 94.
  70. Bob Newhart – still playing the ultimate straight man at 94.
  71. Robert Duvall – acting at 93.
  72. Keith Richards and Mick Jagger are both 80 – still tearing up the stage…
  73. Buzz Aldrin may no longer be in orbit but still active at 94.
  74. Ellen Burton – very pretty and present at age 91.
  75. Joel Grey – still the incomparable man, also at 91.
  76. Ruth Westheimer – continued to prove a good sex life keeps you young, up until her recent passing at age 96.
  77. Senator Bernie Sanders – still advocating for American people at age 82.
  78. Harrison Ford – ever the rakish rogue, now just the silver fox version, continuing his career at 82.
  79. Hellen Mirren – the perennial great actress, who was on the runway during Paris Fashion Week this past October, now 78.
  80. Judi Dench – another ground-breaking female, who had even taken on the classically male role of James Bond’s boss “M”; won an Oscar two years ago, still working at age 89.

 

 

Get Up and Get Moving

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Get Up and Get Moving

According to the experts, it doesn't really matter what you chose to do, just do it. Sitting is killing us.

Get Up and Get Moving

D. S. Mitchell

 

Getting Fatter

We hear it every day, our society is becoming more sedentary and with that comes obesity. Many of us spend hours behind a desk at our jobs.  We drive our cars to the fast food drive thru, then the bank drive thru, and the pharmacy drive thru, we never even have to get out of our cars.  We use our computers to shop, (I love Amazon), without ever leaving the house.  With decreased activity people are increasingly complaining of multiple issues including aches and pains, bad knees, obesity, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.

Too Much 

Just like we enjoy eating and drinking too much, we enjoy sitting too much. We are surrounded by cars, snacks, elevators, sugary drinks and fast foods. The problem has become serious enough that the World Health Organization has a new agenda focused on encouraging physical activity. Things are serious when WHO recognizes the problem as a world wide health issue.

Improving Mental Health

A “Black Dog Institute” of Australia study found that 1-2 hours of exercise per week can prevent depression. In addition to improved mental health multiple world-wide studies have shown that vigorous movement can stave off heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, fatigue, diabetes, and even cancer. That should be a hell of a motivator, but sadly it doesn’t seem to be. There could be many reasons for that; but to combat the sitting disease it is necessary to drop all the excuses, find your tennis shoes and go for a walk, sign up for Pickleball at the local park, take a water aerobics class.  This exercise thing can be a fun thing.

Sitting Addiction

Our country, and most of the industrialized economies are suffering from a “sitting addiction” which leads in turn to “sitting disease”.  Physical inactivity is one of  the top 10 causes of disease and disability according to a recent UK government study. That study attributed 1 in 6 deaths to “sitting” which is equal to smoking in that country.

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Bone and Body Strong

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Keeping Bone and Body Strong

Staying strong of mind and body requires a bit of exercise

Keeping Bone and Body Strong

 

By D. S. Mitchell

Health and Well-Being

Regular CP readers know that in addition to being the Editor and head writer here, I’m a retired R.N. Just because I’ve retired doesn’t mean that I’ve stopped caring about people’s health and well-being. I want everyone to feel as well as they can for as long as they can, so whenever I can I pass on any tips or news that might be of interest to my readers I happily pass it on. AARP magazine is a great resource for older folks; in the Dec 23-Jan 24 issue there was an awesome one page article on 5 easy peasy exercises to keep our bones and body strong.

Bone Loss is Not Inevitable

According to the AARP mini-article by Sports Medicine M.D. Pam M. Peeke, bone mineral density begins to decline in our thirties and we lose approximately 1% each year after that, resulting in fractures in our sixties, seventies, eighties and nineties. OUCH. It seems that any movement that causes us to fight against gravity by standing up and moving is good for your bones. There is solid evidence that “if you are physically active on a regular basis, you can optimize your bone health throughout your life. If you would like to amp up that protection offered by exercise,” the good doctor suggested the following five exercises to keep your bones and body strong for life.

Wall Push Ups-As the name indicates, these are pushups done against a wall. Extend you arms and put your hands shoulder width apart on the wall in front of you. Tighten you abdominals and then bend your arms, lowering your body toward the wall. Push away. Repeat 3 to 5 times. Rest. Repeat 2 or 3 times.

Walk and Stomp-Running and hiking will work if you are interested and able. If you, like me, are more of a walker, then you need to change up your routine a bit. It seems that bones need a jolt to stimulate them and that doesn’t happen on the typical walk. So try this. While walking stomp each foot 2 or 3 times every 10 steps or so. Image you are crushing a aluminum can with your foot. **Apparently walking on a treadmill does not offer the same beneficial results as walking on real ground.

Leg Lifts-To begin place your hand on a counter or against a wall for balance. Set your feet hip width wide apart. Shift your weight onto your left foot, then straighten the right leg and lift it off the floor and extend it out in front of you until your right foot is 6 inches off the floor. Do 8 to 12 lifts. Then shift your weight to your right foot and repeat with your left leg. This exercise is intended to strengthen the muscles around your hip bones, which are vulnerable to fractures. Strengthening these same muscles should also improve your balance.

Stair Climbing-When we climb stairs we are increasing bone density, because it forces our body to resist gravity as we climb, while at the same time strengthening the leg and hip muscles that support our pelvic bones. Use a handrail for safety. Add an occasional stomp for more bond stimulation.

Easy Squats-You’ll need a secure/sturdy object to steady yourself. Stand with your feet hip width apart, then bend at the knees and slowly squat down. Squat as far as you can, although doing a deep squat is not necessary for this exercise to be effective. Be sure not to let your bum get below your knees. At the bottom of the squat, tighten your butt and use your buttocks and thigh muscles to return to a standing position. Repeat 8-12 times.

Conclusion

So there you have it, five simple no sweat exercises to keep your bones strong.

 

Tips to Save Money at the Grocery Store

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Tips to Save Money at the Grocery Store

Saving money at the grocery store is getting harder and harder on the pocketbook Here are a few tips on how to a little bit here and there, hoping it ads up to something.

Tips to Save Money at the Grocery Store

By D. S. Mitchell

Editor: Here are a few tricks I found on the internet to help cut costs at the grocery store in these high cost times. I’m not sure about you, but the only time I really feel the pinch is at the supermarket. I’m good at the gas station, I don’t freak out at the cannabis store, I’m okay at the drive thru, but holy Zeus I about lose my mind at the grocery store.

Folks, the price of eggs at my local Walmart has hit stratospheric levels; while at my friendly neighborhood Safeway, the price of eggs has barely budged. So, I buy my eggs and fresh flowers at Safeway and my thick cut smoked bacon and my thin sliced rib eye steaks at Walmart. I also hit the dip and weigh barrels at Winco. I also regularly shop my local Growers Market where everything is always so fresh and flavorful. Enough. I promised some money saving tips at the grocery store, and here they are.:

Experts Tell Us

Experts tell us it all starts with the right sized cart. If you are doing a weeks shopping grab a full sized cart, however if you are not, grab a small cart. Statistics indicate the average shopper buys as much as 40% more when using the larger cart. However, don’t think one of those hand baskets is the answer, in fact, studies show shoppers tend to buy tempting sugary treats when they are carrying the handheld basket.

Wednesday is Best Day to Shop

I just got back from this weeks grocery run. To save money on groceries, I usually shop on Wednesdays. There are noticeably fewer shoppers, unless that Wednesday happens to fall on the first of the month, LOL. On Wednesdays you can usually count on fully-stocked shelves and freshly delivered produce. AND, the sale specials start in most stores on Wednesday. I shop on Wednesdays to beat the crowds and save a little money. ***Stay away from the grocery store on weekends, they’re busy and frequently sale items are out of stock or picked over.

Seasonal Delights

Eat locally grown produce whenever possible, it will give you the best value in price and flavor. Be sure to go to your local Farmer’s Market not just the big supermarkets. In March you’ll see good prices on broccoli, brussels  sprouts, cauliflower, and lettuce. In April look for asparagus, rhubarb and peas. Strawberries are usually cheaper in June than in May. Year round  bargains include celery, and potatoes.

Limit Trips

I shop for two, but I shop alone. Whenever my roommate comes along I spend a lot more money than when he does not.  Today I spent $133 and got most of what I wanted, I only forgot the toilet paper and the paper towels. If Dave had been along I have no doubt I would have spent well-over $200; and still would have forgotten the paper towels and TP. Furthermore, it’s a good time to mention, write a list, and stick to it. People who shop with a list spend less time in the store and make significantly fewer impulse buys. I use a paper list, I’m old. If you prefer, use your phone. There are some great apps that match items on your list with store specials, coupons, and rebates. As important as a list is; limiting your trips to the store is just as important. DO NOT make frequent trips to the grocery store because every time you do, you spend money you didn’t need to spend, in addition to the gas to get there and back, and the energy you expended on that trip you could have used to plant those spring primroses.

Costco Sharing

My daughter and I shop together at Costco every couple of months and then divide up our purchases in their parking lot. The advice here is to also watch the sales at the regular stores because they are often better than you might get at the warehouse stores.

Cut the Candy, Chips and Sodas

Government statistics tell us that the average American family spends 25% of their grocery dollars on “processed foods, sweets, and sodas.” Try to cut back on such unhealthy choices; instead of getting chips-go for some crunchy carrots and celery. I know. I know. Such foods are great, they just need a little prep. So I suggest you do it as soon as you have the rest of the groceries put away. A few minutes scraping and slicing will provide a crunchy healthy snack versus a cheezy Dorito heartattack. Nothing is easy; but such small behavior changes are guaranteed to save you big dollars over a year, and you’ll probably lose some weight and lower your cholesterol.

End Cap Displays

Don’t fall for those big beautiful end cap displays. Those are usually not sale items; they are intended to trigger your impulse buying gene.

Store Brands vs National Brands

In most cases name brand and store brands taste the same, and can save you anywhere from 15% to 30%. In fact, the store named products are often made at the same time and place as national brands, the only difference the private label.

Unit Pricing

Small packages are usually the worst deals. But the biggest size doesn’t guarantee the best deal. What is important here is for the consumer to check for the unit price below the item on the shelf, it will give you the price per ounce or liter or other measurement so you can quickly compare prices in a logical way.

Holiday Hoarding

Some of the best meat and poultry prices can be found around the holidays. Stock up.

Group Bennies

If you are a vet, or a senior, be sure to ask if the store offers extra savings for your particular groups. Don’t hesitate to ask if they stack benefits; meaning can you maximize your savings by using your AARP card and your VA card. Once in awhile a company is allowed to stack discounts which gives a big discount.  Sometimes the discounts are limited to specific days of the month, rather than everyday. But, be sure to ask, and make note of it and try to shop on those days.

Misfits and Oddities

Some stores advertise great prices on produce known as oddballs and oddities. The price you pay for that oddly shaped zucchini may be 30% cheaper than it’s more perfect cousin. Also, by purchasing these imperfect fruits and veggies we can cut down on food waste.

Buying Gas at a Discount

Gas back programs are offered in my area at Safeway and Fred Meyers. The retailer discounts are based on customer shopping habits. A regular customer may save anywhere from 10 cents to $1.50 per gallon at the store’s gas station.

Buying Staples 

Shopping for staples is a weekly process, not a once a year event. I always, always, make sure I have fresh fruit, particularly bananas, honey crisp or Fuji apples, and various fresh berries. Things that are snack friendly, from the hand to the mouth made easy. Then I must have a bag of frozen mixed berries, for spontaneous smoothies. Veggies like kale, romaine, spinach, arugula are standards in my cart, perfect for a late afternoon salad. I always make sure I have onions, potatoes, carrots, and cauliflower on hand. Lemons are another essential for me. I squeeze them in my water, tea, and even over my salads. Also fabulous on chicken, and fish. Cheese is another staple at my house. I always have parmesan and cheddar cheese in the fridge. And I always make sure I have sliced cheese for a quick sandwich. Still in the dairy section I grab a couple pounds of butter and a gallon of whole milk (for morning coffee). I don’t do almond milk or cashew milk or any other non-dairy milk substitute, that’s just me. I’m not sure if you consider Greek yogurt a kitchen staple but I do. I watch for sales. In the meat department I watch for sales on hamburger, boneless chicken breasts, beef steaks, and pork. I try to keep a bag of frozen shrimp on hand, great for salads and pasta. Speaking of pasta I always watch for specials on my favorite pasta sauce. Spaghetti is a life saver for surprise guests.

More Staples

I barely slow down in the cereal department, but I do buy Old fashioned oats and steel cut oats – I never buy instant since you get more nutritional and heart benefits in old-fashioned and steel cut oats. I make sure I always have a box of pasta on hand and a bag of brown rice. And nuts. I use nuts in a lot of my recipes. Not only do they taste great, but they have a lot of healthy fats and omega-3 fatty acids. Almonds, walnuts, and pecans are my standby favs. I love Beans – black bean burgers, vegetarian chili, topping a salad with them, pureeing into hummus or just heating them and eating them with a spoon. I usually buy them in the 1-2 pound dry packages and cook them up in the crock pot. I always have several cans of diced and whole tomatoes. I use them in nearly everything. I can’t live without eggs or olive oil. Here again keep your eye open for special prices on these basic food items. Bread is not on my grocery list. I stopped eating bread about 10 years ago, and have never looked back. Although I have a pantry full of spices, I make sure I always have the ones I use most on hand, cinnamon, vanilla, cumin, oregano, nutmeg, ginger, black pepper, and sea salt. Lastly, I am always on the alert for big discounts on baking items like flour, white sugar, and brown. My family loves it when I make cookies.

Finally

The Natural Resources Defense Council reports that the average American throws away at least $2,500 worth of food annually. That is about 1/4 of what we spend on food! Time to cut down on waste. One of the ways to do that is to plan your meals for the week and buy according to what you have decided to make. It is important at the beginning of your shopping week to make an assessment of what you already have and what needs to be eaten quickly. Then buy any remaining ingredients to make up those items into eatable meals. After you have cleared your kitchen of items that were about to perish finish out your weeks menu with family favorites and good for you treats. “Waste not, want not,” as my mother used to say.