55+ Living Spring 21 by 55+ Life

Spring | 2021

Your Big Back Yard Making the most of what you’ve got

TRENDING: CHICKEN COOPS 101

5 WAYS TO UPGRADE YOUR BACK YARD

THE ART OF GROWING & COOKING WITH HERBS

“

Since moving here, there has not been a day that I haven’t been happy… — Marge

”

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CONTENTS

Spring 2021

39 FOOD & DRINK

LIFESTYLE

11 PASSAGES

34 GET GRILLING!

66 THE VINE:

39 FOODIE DAY-TRIPPING

23 A LITTLE PIECE

EDITOR’S NOTE

53 FOREVER LOVE Green Beans & Friends

VISIT

55pluslivingguide.com to discover more recipes from America’s Test Kitchen and others.

A tasty chicken recipe to wow your friends and family

Tasty trips within a short drive of the Capital Region

46 DREAM ON

50 SOLVING THE PAIN PUZZLE Eileen Kopsaftis wants everyone to live a pain-free life

62 JUST WEAR IT

Picking the best fitness gear for you Spring 2021

Adding chickens to your back yard is easier than you think

OF PARADISE:

Tips for turning your back yard into an outdoor oasis

HEALTH & WELLNESS 27 IT’S A DIRTY BUSINESS How harnessing your dreams can impact your life

ALL COOPED UP

How to prepare your soil to guarantee your garden’s success

31 HERB YOUR ENTHUSIASM How to make fresh herbs part of your garden this summer

57 LOOKING TO RETIRE ELSEWHERE?

What to consider before you make a move 55PLUSLIVINGGUIDE.COM

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PRE-LEASING FOR SPRING 2021

Publisher & Editor in Chief Alison Michael

Consulting Editor Janet Reynolds

Sales Consultant Teresa Frazer teresa@55pluslivingguide.com

Art Director Christine Silva MoonlightDesignsNC.com

Contributing Writers

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editor’s note SPRING Remember those days when you were growing up where it felt like each day was an eternity? Feels like yesterday I awoke to many sunshine filled days. I rode my banana seat bike, for what felt like miles, all around my neighborhood, meeting friends along the way and staying busy until dinnertime. Not a care in the world, just pure joy. Fast forward, I celebrate turning 55 this month and while my responsibilities have grown, I often think about that time in my life with affection. The carefree days spent outdoors felt endless. Slowly coming out of the past year will look different for all of us. For some, it might mean enjoying dinner out with friends. For others, prepping your garden to reap the delights of what you sow. Maybe, like for me, it means seeing friends and family that I’ve missed so much. Being social. Spending time outdoors. Feeling the warm sun on my skin. I’ll be working on upgrading our back yard (page 23) to enjoy small gatherings with family & friends. I’ll enjoy cooking again for others while testing out some new recipes using fresh herbs from our garden (page 31). It’s that time of year for spring cleaning. We did some spring cleaning of our own. You might notice this issue looks a little different. We’ve made enhancements with you, our readers in mind. We’ve increased the number of pages, added more stories and enhanced the paper stock. This is just a preview for more exciting changes to come. No matter how this time of the year looks to you, I hope you embrace this fresh feeling of spring. Get outdoors, pick some daffodils and just breathe.

Photo courtesy of KRIS QUA PHOTOGRAPHY, quaphoto.com Shot on location at JUNE FARMS

xo, Alison

Stay with me. Let’s just breathe...

—Eddie Vedder, Pearl Jam

Spring 2021

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Passages

“

One day you will look back and see that all along you were blooming.

”

—Morgan Harper Nichols

Spring 2021

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SPONSORED CONTENT BONE AND JOINT CENTER

Hip Replacement: Does Approach Matter? ALEXANDER HARBIN, MD, CAPITAL REGION ORTHOPEDICS

Hip replacement is one of the most commonly performed surgeries worldwide. It has helped restore quality of life for millions of patients since the 1960s. Since that time implant design and longevity have improved dramatically. Recently, significant advancements have been made in surgical technique and pain control. This has allowed us to reduce the length of hospital stay from many days to less than one day for many people. The progress made with anterior hip replacement has been a large factor in allowing people to return to a normal lifestyle as quickly as possible. While there are many reasons we perform hip replacements, osteoarthritis is by far the most common. This is when a patient has worn out the cartilage in the joint. Commonly, people refer to this as, “bone on

Spring 2021

bone arthritis.” For patients, this often manifests as pain with ambulation or activity, which is located in the groin region. Many patients also notice increasing difficulty with daily activities such as putting on shoes and socks, and getting in and out of the car. As a patients’ arthritis progresses, hip replacement often becomes the best option to restore quality of life. Numerous techniques exist to perform a hip replacement, and nearly all have seen success. I believe anterior hip replacement gives patients the best result, with as little recovery and complications as possible. The approach for anterior hip utilizes an incision in front of the hip, going between muscles, instead of through muscles, to gain access to the hip joint itself. Once there, the arthritic joint is replaced with titanium, ceramic, and plastic, allowing it to function more normally. You may ask, “Does approach matter when performing hip replacement?” There are several advantages to anterior hip replacement. Generally, an anterior hip replacement can be performed through a smaller incision. This may allow quicker and less painful recovery than other techniques, and allow patients to return home more quickly. Another major advantage is reduced postoperative precautions due to a lesser chance of the hip replacement coming out of socket, or dislocating. To prevent dislocation after other techniques, hip precautions are utilized. This means pa-

tients may be asked to avoid flexing the hip past 90 degrees, sitting in low chairs, or crossing their legs for some period of time postoperatively. A hip performed through an anterior approach avoids the need for these precautions, allowing patients to focus more on their recovery. Improvements in surgical and anesthetic technique have allowed patients and their surgeons to be more comfortable with shorter or even no hospital stay. This may also give patients the option to have their surgery at an ambulatory surgery center, avoiding the hospital completely in many circumstances. There is always a risk with surgery, despite the technique utilized. Hip replacement is only rarely the initial recommended treatment course. It is important to discuss with your surgeon your quality of life and what you have done to treat your pain. When it does come time to proceed with hip replacement, the anterior approach may provide a quicker and more comfortable surgical experience, an advantage most patients find appealing. Alexander Harbin is a Board Certified, fellowship-trained Surgeon from the Bone and Joint Center in Albany, NY specializing in hip and knee arthroplasty. Please call 518489-2666 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Harbin.

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ORTHOPAEDIC EXCELLENCE. EXCEPTIONAL CARE. The Most Comprehensive Outpatient Joint Replacement Program in the Region At The Bone & Joint Center, we are committed to providing exceptional joint care to make you stronger. That’s why our dedicated joint experts proudly offer outpatient total joint replacement for the: • Ankle

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Performed by our fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons at our state-of-the-art Capital Region Ambulatory Surgery Center in Albany—and soon to be performed at the Center for Advanced Ambulatory Surgery, our brand-new, one-of-a-kind ambulatory surgery center in Malta—our outpatient total joint replacement procedures provide the following benefits: • No overnight stay—patients go home the same day • Quicker recovery time • Reduced risk of infection/COVID-19 exposure due to avoiding the hospital environment

To learn more about outpatient total joint replacement or to schedule an appointment with one of our dedicated joint experts, please call (518) 489-2666.

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All COOPED Up

Adding chickens to your back yard is easier than you think BY TONY PALLONE

Spring 2021

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ne day in the near future, when the pandemic is little more than a reminder in the rearview mirror, we’ll likely reflect on the many lessons learned from hunkering down and keeping close to home. For many, this has been a time to focus on local food sources, and, when possible, to control how the food we eat is produced. With spring on its way, you might want to consider whether your property could be the perfect spot for procuring eggs or providing poultry, by playing host to backyard chickens. Those we’ve talked to tell us it’s a rewarding pursuit, but also that it can be a more encompassing commitment than you might think. Here are some considerations to keep in mind as you consider adding chickens to your backyard pursuits: Check your local ordinances. In New York State, a Right to Farm law establishes a baseline for farming (including chicken-raising) without fear of neighbors who might consider it a nuisance. However, this applies only to agricultural districts. While some towns and villages adopt the same guidelines, others add more restrictive modifications such as space requirements or a prescribed number of allowed hens and a forbiddance of roosters. Call the local governing offices for your municipality or visit their website. “Do your homework before you buy the coop and you bring the chickens home,” says Nicolina Foti,

Spring 2021

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Best Backyard Breeds

Photo by Krishna Hill. Taken at Blackfly Mountain Farms in Grafton.

a livestock educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension in Saratoga County. Decide what you want from your chickens. Having chickens to take care of can be a joy in itself, Foti says. But it’s important to decide whether you want egg-layers or meat birds; she adds that the latter option has become especially popular as a way to combat food shortages associated with the pandemic. There are many breeds available (see sidebar), with star performers in each category. Coops: build or buy? Your options are wide; how to proceed should be based on the time you’re willing to spend and the financial investment you’re willing to make. “You’ll probably save a lot of money by making something yourself,” says Ashley Pierce, commercial livestock educator with the Albany County Cornell Cooperative Extension. “Chickens don’t need a lot… it doesn’t need to be fancy,” she adds. The internet is replete with DIY plans and guidance, and there’s no shortage of books on the subject (Pierce recommends various titles from Storey Publishing). But if you’d rather skip straight to the finished product, easy-to-assemble prefabricated coops are available from suppliers like Agway and Tractor Supply Company, both of which also offer the birds themselves. A middle-ground option is to repurpose an existing structure. Joshua Slingerland, owner of Slingerland Family Farm in Berne, says he’s seen a lot of people section off part of a shed for a coop. To provide chickens an area for daytime roaming, also known as a “run,” a dog kennel could be used. Slingerland is also a fan of tractor-style coops, which have built-in wheels for ready mobility. These feature wire floors that allow grass to poke through. Moving them regularly to different areas of the lawn provides pest control (chickens love to eat bugs), fertilizer (chicken droppings are rich in nitrogen) and built-in protection (would-be predators get confused by the constant repositioning). Whichever way you go, you’ll want to include the essentials we’ve listed in our sidebar. Realize that predators are everywhere. “Lots of things go bump in the night,” says Slingerland. “and every single one of them wants your chickens.” That includes foxes, raccoons, hawks, neighborhood dogs, stray cats — the list goes on. In suburban settings, this may be less obvious at first but, as Foti adds, that will change “once the word gets around town that there’s some good eating over on that next corner.” A secure coop is your primary line of defense, although there are ways to fortify it. Lining the perimeter with rocks, for instance, Spring 2021

For egg-laying, Nicolina Foti, a livestock educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension CCE in Saratoga County, recommends the Lohmann Brown, which is an example of a “sex-link” bird. This means that it is a hybrid mix that will be born with a particular color depending on gender, a highly valuable trait for telling the roosters from the soon-to-be hens. Joshua Slingerland, owner of Slingerland Family Farm in Berne is a fan of a similar bird known as an ISA Brown, or Red Star. If conditions are right, either type will lay around one large egg per day; if you have six birds, that’s more than three dozen eggs per week! The Cornish Cross is the quintessential meat bird, sometimes referred to simply as a “broiler.” If you’re planning to process for meat, you’ll want to establish a relationship with a butcher early on; there tends to be a backlog. There may also be a minimum quantity because the process is so labor-intensive. It’s also worth noting that meat birds grow quickly: They can be ready for the butcher in as little as 8-12 weeks after hatching. When purchasing baby chicks, be aware that New York law requires them to be sold in minimum lots of six. Some farms, like Slingerland Family Farm, will often have ready-to-lay birds available in smaller quantities. 55PLUSLIVINGGUIDE.COM

makes it more difficult for anything to dig in; you could also go high-tech and install electrified poultry netting. If you anticipate visits from grandkids who’ll want to play with the birds, however, you’ll want to be sure you’ve got an easy way to turn off the power. Remember that dryness is more important than warmth. Chickens have a remarkable resilience to cold temperatures, as they are

Spring 2021

essentially born wearing down jackets. Fluffing their feathers allows them to create a cocoon of heat against their bodies. This insulating quality is compromised, however, if they become wet. You’ll want to cover the ground with straw or shavings, which is also where much of their manure will land; change it regularly to keep it clean and dry. Some chicken owners provide heat lamps, but if overused these can make the birds more vulnerable to disease. Worse, they present a significant fire hazard: “If that light breaks, or otherwise falls from where it is, into those shavings,” Slingerland says, “you have a chicken barbecue in your chicken coop, which is not what you want.” Avoid draftiness but provide ventilation. This is an important balance; you don’t want the wind to tip over your coop, or to chill your birds. Yet in the desire to provide protection from the elements, Foti says she’s seen people board up or plastic wrap their coops “like it’s Fort Knox.” Problem is, chickens produce a lot of moisture that could lead to fungal disease if it’s not allowed to escape. She recommends leaving an open one- to twoinch area — caged, to keep out predators — beneath the rafters to allow for airflow. And, by the way, if you notice an ammonia smell, it’s a sign that insufficient ventilation is causing a buildup of decomposition byproducts from wet bird droppings. This can cause a spectrum of problems ranging from unhappy birds that lay fewer eggs — to potentially deadly respiratory illness Understand egg-laying essentials. Those adorable baby chicks you’re planning to bring home are still a long way from laying. Depending on the breed, it takes 20 to 30 weeks for egg production to begin. “Here’s where we run into the disheartenment with chickens,” Slingerland says. “If you buy those little baby birds at the store in May, you’re going to start seeing

55PLUSLIVINGGUIDE.COM

your first eggs in mid-August… you’re going to be the happiest chicken keeper in the world for three weeks. And then what happens? We run out of daylight.” Alas, chickens are diurnal (daytime) creatures. Without 14.5 hours of daylight, they simply won’t lay. For Slingerland, one solution is low-wattage LED lights operated by a timer. He sets his to come on at 3:30 a.m. It’s also important to understand that egg-laying tends to diminish as chickens age. “People will call us and say, ‘My chicken’s broken, it’s not laying eggs,’” Foti says with a laugh. “After four or five years of age, they might stop laying altogether.” At that point, your options include finding them a new home, processing them for meat, or simply keeping them as pets. Ring the dinner bell. “Yes, you can train chickens, and yes you should,” Slingerland says. By regularly locking them in the coop at night when they’re young, they’ll develop the habit of coming in from the run when it gets dark. And if you want to go out early, train your birds to associate getting a treat of mealworms by shaking them in a cup or tin. You’ll then be able to use that sound essentially as a “dinner bell.” Speaking of dinner, here’s something Slingerland likes to say about chickens: “They’re the only pets that feed you more than you feed them.” That’s true in a literal sense — each hen will eat only about a quarter-pound of chicken feed per day, yet their eggs will provide you with abundant nutrients in return. It’s true in a metaphorical sense as well, as the commitment it takes to raise them is liable to pale by comparison to the joy they bring.

Resources Cooperative Extension has an office in each county of New York State. Originally designed to provide continuing education to farmers, it has grown into a robust program that serves as a resource for all New Yorkers. Watch the CCE’s Capital Area Agricultural and Horticultural website for upcoming classes and webinars related to raising chickens. You can also contact Nicolina Foti from the Saratoga CCE at (518) 885-9995, or Asley Pierce from the Albany CCE at (518) 649-0267. Visit Slingerland Family Farm online, or call (518) 662-0320. Spring 2021

Coop Essentials

The bare necessities for a coop are nesting boxes, a roost, and a feeder and waterer. Unless you plan to keep them cooped up all day, you’ll also want a chicken run. Space-wise, you should plan for a minimum total area of two and a half square feet per bird, says Slingerland. “More is always better,” he adds. If the coop is too crowded, the birds will fight. Foti’s per-bird recommendation is three to four square feet inside the henhouse, and approximately 10 square feet for the run. The nesting box is where the hens will lay eggs; a good rule of thumb is to provide one for every four chickens. Slingerland says that this can be a small structure of a couple square feet, and that it should be easy for you to access. Eggs should be removed regularly, especially in the wintertime to avoid the potential for freezing and cracking. You can create an indoor or outdoor chicken run. Unless you’re planning to let your birds be free-range, you’ll want to be sure it’s covered to keep both predators and precipitation out. After a day on the run, the chickens will literally come home to roost. This consists of a set of elevated bars where they will sleep at night (standing up!), keeping them off wet or snowy ground. Because they tend to flock together on the roost, Slingerland says, only around 10 inches of linear space per bird is needed. He adds that it’s important to keep the bars around the same height: This curbs their natural tendency to establish an aggressive hierarchy, which is where we get the expression “pecking order.” You could drive yourself a bit cuckoo over the variety of chicken feed options. “There’s all manner of feed — organic, non-GMO, whatever,” says Slingerland. “It doesn’t matter. Buy a bag of chicken feed, they’ll eat it, they’ll lay eggs. So long as they have some water.” Water is key; they’ll drink twice as much as they eat. Pierce recommends hanging a dispenser from above, or elevating it with cinder blocks, to keep it from being contaminated by debris stirred up by scratching. It’s also important to keep it from freezing during winter, which can be accomplished by heated dispensers that automatically turn on when temperatures drop below freezing — or simply by regular replenishing. Of course, you can also get super-fancy in all kinds of ways; there are automatic solar-powered coop doors, heated roosting bars, flashing lights that mimic the appearance of predator’s eyes to scare away actual predators, and the list goes on. The bottom line, however, is providing your chickens with a space that’s safe and comfortable year-round. 55PLUSLIVINGGUIDE.COM

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Spring 2021

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rise & shine

kiwi lime parfait

Put the good in your morning with a refreshing springtime parfait! This simple recipe provides wholesome nutrition complete with protein, fiber, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals. Here's what you need: 2 cups Silk® Unsweet Vanilla Almondmilk 1 ripe Avocado from Mexico 1/2 cup Fresh Express® Baby Spinach 1/2 cup Fresh lime juice 1/8 cup Honey 2 tsp. Lime zest 2 tsp. McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract 1/2 cup Nature’s Promise® Organic Chia Seeds 2 (5.3 oz.) Two Good™ Vanilla Greek Yogurt 1 ripe Fresh kiwi, peeled, cored and cut into bite-sized chunks 2 Tbsp. Planters NUT-rition Heart Healthy Nut Mix, chopped Nutritional Information (amount per serving): Total Carbohydrate 60 g Calories 630 Fiber 24 g Total Fat 36 g Total Sugar 25 g Saturated Fat 5 g Cholesterol 55 mg Added Sugar 18 g Protein 24 g Sodium 180 mg

MAKES 2 SERVINGS

Roll up your sleeves: 1. Blend almondmilk, avocado, spinach, lime juice, honey, lime zest and vanilla in a blender for 60 seconds. (Important: Do not include chia seeds in blender.) 2. In a large bowl, whisk together blender mixture and chia seeds. Cover and store in refrigerator overnight or for a minimum of 5 hours. 3. Once chia mixture has been in the refrigerator for the allotted time, create your parfaits by assembling two bowls or jars with alternating chia mixture, yogurt and kiwi. Top with chopped nuts and enjoy chilled. Have questions about your health? Our team of registered dietitians offer free nutritional services online and in-store. Visit hannaford.com/dietitians to learn more. For more recipe inspiration, visit hannaford.com/recipes. Thank you to our sponsors for partnering with Hannaford to offer free dietitian services. Our dietitians communicate their own nutrition expertise, views and advice, using carefully selected products in recipes and demonstrations to share information on healthful eating.

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A LITTLE PIECE OF

Paradise Tips for turning your back yard into an outdoor oasis

BY TONY PALLONE

Photo courtesy of Faddegon's

ou’re probably spending more time than ever at home these days, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend it cooped up indoors. Warmer weather is here, presenting greater opportu-

nities to bask in your back yard or perhaps to plan small, socially distant gatherings with friends and family. Here are five-plus ideas that can help you transform whatever’s on the other side of your back windows into a space for outdoor living.

Spring 2021

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Put the patio concept into perspective. The word “patio” comes to us from Spanish, where it was first used simply to mean an inner courtyard. You don’t have to think of it as an elaborate structure. The important thing is to claim your outdoor space and supplement it with things that will make you comfortable spending time there. Things like: Fancy furniture. Best Fire Hearth & Patio in Colonie has a selection that is a step above the utilitarian stuff you’ll find at big-box stores. Owner and General Manager Lucas Strits-

Small spaces Even if your backyard is little more than a small plot or balcony, you can still increase its outdoor living appeal. Faddegon says indoor plants, which can naturally clear the air inside stuffy apartments, have really exploded in popularity over the past year; plantings in urns and pots are also popular choices for just outside the sliding-glass door. And if you don’t have enough space to do your cooking out there, you can still grow herbs. (See our herb story on page 31 for how to get started.) Faddegon’s carries pots with special pockets that allow a variety of herbs to grow within. That same garden center can serve as a resource for a variety of outdoor challenges, Faddegon says: “Take a picture, bring it in, and we’ll help you out.”

Spring 2021

Patio with fire pit and seating. Photo courtesy of #1 Stonescaping.

man deals with domestic manufacturers like Telescope Casual Furniture, based in Granville, which makes pieces that can be customized with a choice of colors, fabrics, frame finishes and the like. Superior shading. Best Fire also offers cantilever umbrellas, which can rotate 360 degrees for perfect placement over a seating group. Retractable awnings and tension shades can also offer a sleek roof aesthetic to cover an existing structure such as a pergola. Supplemental sun. Maybe you’ve tried to heat an outdoor space with a freestanding propane heater. “That’s a losing battle,” says Stritsman. A better option is to install infrared lights that can shine down from overhead, heating objects in their path in much the same way as the sun.

Hire a hardscaper if you need something built from the ground up. David Lawler of #1 Stonescaping in Guilderland says a number of factors go into the cost of a new piece, whether it’s a fire pit, outdoor kitchen countertop or a whole patio. Among the most important is whether a customer opts for natural or precast stone. The latter, made from concrete aggregate, is less expensive and quicker to install; components can be assembled as a kit rather than laid as individual stones requiring painstaking tolerance adjustments. You might also consider: Fabulous fire tables. These are the easiest way to create an outdoor fire, Stritsman explains, as they run on a concealed propane tank, just like a grill, and come in different styles and finishes. Because they use gas instead of wood, they turn on and off with a simple switch. Phase 2 fire pit. A true fire pit offers a far more dramatic design, and although it will be more expensive it can also be part of a longer-term plan. Law55PLUSLIVINGGUIDE.COM

ler always designs with that type of phased-in approach in mind. “If people are agreeable to do it in phases, it’s much easier to plan that on the front side,” he says. Make the big impact on your property just once, he suggests. Get your patio in position first. Accessories can come later.

Create a corollary kitchen. Upgrading your grill is one option. Another is building your appliance right into a hardscape countertop. Lawler says that one popular look for outdoor kitchens is created by stuccoing bluestone atop a metal-braced framework.

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Plan your plantings. Along with providing hardscape services and building outdoor kitchens and fire pits, Jack Faddegon of Faddegon’s Landscaping in Latham works with clients to plan out trees, shrubs, flowering plants and much more. “The project you end up with depends on how much effort and thought you put into it in the beginning,” he says. Foundation plantings and shade gardens can greatly enhance outdoor living spaces; potted plants are especially helpful for breathing life — literally — into smaller spaces (see sidebar).

Don’t delay. If you’re feeling stuck at home, you’re not alone — and the demand for space-transforming services has skyrocketed over the past year. “When the pandemic hit, we expected a real drop in business,” Faddegon says. “The exact opposite is what happened.” At the same time, people are canceling their usual travel vacation plans and ending up with more money they can invest on their homes. “Instead of putting $8,000 toward the beach house, they’re looking to small family events — and to creating something permanent,” Lawler says. The takeaway message is not to wait to get on your builder’s list: “If you’re thinking about a project for this year, you want to jump on that now.”

Here are a few places to begin your journey into better outdoor living. • Best Fire Hearth & Patio, 1760 Central Ave., Colonie, (518) 869-9600, bestfire.com • Faddegon’s Landscaping, 1140 Troy Schenectady Rd., Latham, (518) 785-6726, faddegonslandscape.com • #1 Stonescaping, Guilderland, (518) 857-3127, stoneandlandscape.com Spring 2021

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It’s a DIRTY Business How to prepare your soil to guarantee your garden’s success BY CARI SCRIBNER

he time has come at last to roll up your sleeves and get out the trowel to herald spring with the season’s greatest gift: a bountiful garden. Whether you’re planting butter leaf lettuce or fragrant begonias, nurturing plants from seeds or buying sprouted seedlings from the plant nursery, a flourishing garden takes more than water and sunlight. It also takes what lies beneath: hearty soil rich in nutrients with the right PH level. To help you get your garden off on the right foot, we’ve unearthed the top six tips for preparing your soil for successful planting.

Spring 2021

1 2 3

Find a new spot to plant. “Using the same area for gardening depletes some of the nutrients in the soil,” said Jacklyn Older, manager at Hewitt’s Garden Center in Saratoga Springs. Have your soil tested (see sidebar). Plants need around 20 nutrients for healthy growth, said Susan Beebe, assistant director of agriculture at Saratoga County Cornell Cooperative Extension in Ballston Spa. These range from potassium to calcium to sulfur.

Understand the importance of soil pH. This is a measurement of the alkalinity or acidity of soil.. Soil pH is measured on a scale of 1 to 14, with 6.5 to 7 as the sweet spot. Acid soils have a pH below 7 and alkaline soils are above 7. If your pH levels

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How to Take a Soil Sample 1. When should soil be sampled? Samples can be taken at any time during the year, but try to avoid extremely wet soil conditions. 2. How often should I have my soil tested? For most gardens, every two to three years. 3. What tool should I use for sampling? Use a garden spade or shovel. 4. What if I have an area of poor crop growth? If you have a trouble spot, take and label a separate sample from this area. 5. Should the sample be dry? Yes. If you dig up wet soil, spread it out on newspaper and let it dry at room temperature. 6. How much soil is needed for each composite sample? About 2 cups. 7. What information should I write down about the sample? Note the type of plants you plan to grow, how long the gardening site has been used and the fertilizer you’ve used, if applicable. 8. How long will it take to get test results? One to two weeks. 9. How much does the test cost? Around $20. Soil samples can be sent to Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County, 50 W High St, Ballston Spa, (518) 8858995 Source: Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County

Spring 2021

aren’t somewhere in the middle, both high acid and high alkaline will prevent plants from drawing in the nutrients they need from the soil. Based on the soil test results, a garden center specialist can recommend what to add to get to that mid-range.

Do a science experiment. Older recommends this technique to see if your soil is mostly clay or sand, both of which can be found across the Capital Region. First, dig up enough dirt to fill a glass jar about halfway, then sift it to remove pebbles. Fill the jar with clean water but leave an inch or two at the top. Shake it up, then leave the jar on a flat surface for about two days. After that time, you can visually see the amount of coarse sand that has settled to the bottom. The clay layer will be on top of the silt. Sandy soil won’t hold onto water long enough for thirsty roots, while clay is difficult for water to penetrate at the surface.

5 6

Add compost to remedy both soil types. Compost will help sandy soil hold more water, and will also break up clay soil for better irrigation. If you don’t have a home composting system, head to the garden center for advice. Welcome earthworms. Soil is an ecosystem of its own with many living organisms — including worms, Beebe said. Earthworms are hard workers in garden soils. Their wiggling around in the soil helps create a flow of water and air that’s great for good root development. The fastest way to attract and keep worms in your garden is to add organic material (again, compost), and keep the soil moist. If all else fails, consider potting your plants. You have more control over the soil in a container than in the ground. You can grow everything from flowers to tomatoes in pots that are decorative as a side benefit.

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HERB Your ENTHUSIASM How to make fresh herbs part of your garden this summer BY CARI SCRIBNER

f course, you can purchase dried herbs in the spice aisle at the supermarket, but why not indulge in freshly grown leaves? From basil to chives to parsley, herbs thrive in raised garden beds, potted on backyard decks and on windowsills basking in the sun. They are colorful, cheerful, bring an abundance of flavor to recipes, and best of all, easy to grow. “You can plant them in teacups, vintage flea-market finds, or clear plastic troughs,” says Wendy Trayford, who works at Faddegon’s Nursery, a family-owned business in Latham. “Really, anything goes.” Faddegon’s has herb starter packs out on their sales floor year-round, as these fast-growing plants do well indoors in every season, as well as outside in the spring. “You can get the seedlings going and once the temperatures warm up in April, move them outside,” Trayford says. Most herbs favor sunlight, but if you are doing indoor gardening and don’t have a sunny windowsill, consider using a fluorescent grow light overhead. Don’t overwater the plants indoors. If they are outside in the spring, regular rainfalls should be sufficient. If you’ve always believed you have a black thumb, stick to a couple varieties in a planter and try to avoid the most common mistakes: neglect and overwatering. As far as favorites, parsley, sage, rosemary and basil are most commonly grown. But don’t be afraid to branch out into the more exotic lemon verbena and English lavender. When it comes to collecting the fresh herbs, plan to do this when your plants are flourishing, and harvest throughout the growing season to promote new growth. As a general rule, you can continue to harvest until the first frost. Adding a little parsley to your fa-

Spring 2021

vorite salad can be just a snip or two away. Always use clean, sharp shears to avoid damaging the leaves. If you’re like most gardeners, you want your herbs to be abundant and regrow even after being cut back. To be sure that you don’t cause any harm to the plants, don’t cut down more than one-third of the plant that you can see. Drying herbs enables you to preserve them long after the growing season ends. Some herbs dry better than others; favorites include lavender, rosemary, bay leaves, oregano and marjoram. Drying methods vary. Some gardeners hang the herbs in bunches. Another option is placing the leaves flat on a tray or drying rack. You can also purchase a dehydrator, which will dry your favorite herbs in just a couple of hours. At the Cock ‘n Bull restaurant, a lush herb garden on the property provides fresh ingredients for all sorts of entrees, including even dessert. Their outdoor herb array includes dill, parsley, tarragon, cilantro, chamomile, rosemary and many more. contnued on page 32

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“Dried herbs just cannot be compared to fresh,” says Andrea DeCiero, pastry chef at the restaurant in Galway. “There’s nothing more satisfying than going out to the garden before preparing a dish. It’s something that you planted, watered and cared for.” As a bonus, fresh herbs are lush and hold onto their color. “We grow and freeze enough basil to last us all year long,” DeCiero says. “It’s a staple ingredient in our Italian sauces.” Mint leaves are one of her favorite herbs to incorporate into dessert and drinks. She also adds a touch of flair with edible flowers such as pansies. “Last year was a great summer for herbs,” DeCiero says. “The gardens are part of what we do here; they make dishes look and taste gorgeous.” To join the popular herb-growing trend, just choose your planter, get a starter kit at the garden center, put in a sunny spot, and prepare a good recipe (see right). “I grow herbs all year long in my kitchen,” Trayford says. “It makes me happy when I wake up and go into the kitchen for coffee. They bring the garden inside.”

Spring 2021

The Dish on Herbs Not sure which herb works best in a recipe? Here are a few suggestions to get you started: • Basil works well in all Italian dishes and can be tossed into salads. • Chives are a way to spice up dips and sauces. • Rosemary is a hearty herb that adds depth to soups and stews. • Sage perks up a wide menu of dishes from roast pork and chicken dishes to beans, potatoes and stuffing. • Parsley grows in two basic varieties: flat-leaf and curly. Both are excellent for cooking, particularly in salads, as well as rice dishes, fish and steak. • Chamomile makes an excellent night-time tea when steeped in hot water. • Lemon verbena is also used for making tea and may even calm indigestion. • Bay leaves add flavor when tossed into stews or veggie chili. Warning: Do not eat the leaves. Remove them after cooking and before serving. The leaves can perforate your stomach or throat while swallowing. • Muddle mint to make refreshing mojitos all season long. • Lavender is used for sweeter, light baked goods like cookies and shortbreads.

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SUMMER SHORTCAKE

with fresh lemon balm and basil Makes 4 shortcakes Preparation time: About one hour to prepare; 15 min. to bake

Blueberry Compote Ingredients: 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1/4 cup sugar 1 tablespoon cornstarch 1/4 cup water 2 cups fresh blueberries 2 sprigs each lemon balm and fresh basil, finely chopped Stir all ingredients in a small saucepan. Add fresh blueberries and heat until it bubbles and thickens. Stir in fresh chopped lemon balm and basil

Oatmeal Shortcake Biscuit Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups flour 1/4 cup brown sugar 1 tablespoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 cup oatmeal (toast in oven before adding) 1/2 cup buttermilk 1 teaspoon vanilla Heat oven to 350 degrees. Pulse all ingredients in a food processor with 1/2 cup butter until you have coarse crumbs. Stir in 1/2 cup buttermilk and 1 tsp of vanilla. Scoop into a baking pan coated with non-stick cooking spray and bake for 15 minutes at 375.

Mascarpone Whipped Cream: 8 ounces mascarpone 1 1/4 cups heavy cream 1/2 cup confectioners sugar Splash vanilla Using a hand mixer start with mascarpone in a bowl and slowly drizzle heavy cream. Increase speed to high until soft peaks form. Add sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form To serve, sprinkle with extra toasted oats and drizzle with local honey for extra flavor. Plate with a fresh mint leaf for more color. Serve immediately. Recipe and photo courtesy of Andrea DeCiero, Pastry Chef at Cock ‘n Bull Restaurant, Galway

Spring 2021

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GETGRILLING!

A chicken recipe to wow your friends and family

Spring 2021

Barbecued chicken is a popular grilling go-to for many of us. It can also be easy to get into a grilling rut, reaching for the same favorite recipe (or, yes, bottle) every time. America’s Test Kitchen is here to help with its new chicken cookbook, The Chicken Bible. With 500 recipes, you’re guaranteed to find new ways to celebrate all things chicken. Here is one of our favorites designed to take your grilling to the next level.

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Grilled Mojo Chicken Courtesy of America’s Test Kitchen Serves 4 to 6 — Total Time 1 1/2 hours (plus 1 hour marinating time)

Why This Recipe Works Mojo sauce is a cornerstone of Cuban cookery, and its tart, sweet, and garlicky flavors make for great grilled chicken. To mimic the juice of sour oranges common in mojo marinades, we used a combination of orange and lime juices as well as their zests. Toasting the garlic took off its raw edge. Pineapple juice added sweetness while oregano, black pepper, and cumin provided a spicy backbone. Our bone-in chicken leg quarters stayed juicy on the grill and soaked up marinade well, especially when we slashed them to allow the marinade access to the meat. Basting the meat with the marinade multiple times as it grilled gave the chicken an extra dose of mojo flavor. Canned and bottled pineapple juices are great in this recipe, but when it comes to the citrus, we recommend using freshly squeezed juice. A garlic press makes quick work of mincing the six cloves. Some leg quarters are sold with the backbone attached; removing it before cooking makes the chicken easier to serve. 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil 6 garlic cloves, minced 1/3 cup pineapple juice 1 tbs yellow mustard 2 tsp grated orange zest plus 1/3 cup juice 2 tsp lime zest plus 1/3 cup juice (3 limes) 1 1/4 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp pepper, divided 3/4 tsp dried oregano 2 tbs coarsely chopped fresh cilantro 1 tbs minced jalapeño chile 1 tsp table salt 1 tbs table salt for marinade 6 (10- to 12-ounce) chicken leg quarters, trimmed 1. Heat oil and garlic in small saucepan over low heat, stirring often, until tiny bubbles appear and garlic is fragrant and straw-colored, 3 to 5 minutes. Let cool for at least 5 minutes. 2. Whisk pineapple juice, mustard, orange zest and juice, lime zest and juice, cumin, 3/4 teaspoon pepper, and oregano together in medium bowl. Slowly whisk in cooled garlic oil until emulsified. Spring 2021

3. Transfer half of mojo mixture to small bowl and stir in cilantro, jalapeño, salt, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper; set aside mojo sauce. 4. Whisk 1 tablespoon salt into remaining mojo mixture until dissolved. Transfer mojo marinade to 1-gallon zipper-lock bag. 5. Place chicken, skin side up, on cutting board and pat dry with paper towels. Leaving drumsticks and thighs attached, make 4 parallel diagonal slashes in each piece of chicken: 1 across drumstick, 1 across legthigh joint, and 2 across thigh (slashes should reach bone). Flip chicken and make 1 more diagonal slash across back of each drumstick. Transfer chicken to bag with mojo marinade. Seal bag, turn to coat chicken, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours. 6A. For a charcoal grill pen bottom vent completely. Light large chimney starter filled with charcoal briquettes (6 quarts). When top coals are partially covered with ash, pour two-thirds evenly over half of grill, then pour remaining coals over other half of grill. Set cooking grate in place, cover, and open lid vent completely. Heat grill until hot, about 5 minutes. 6B. For a gas grill Turn all burners to high, cover, and heat grill until hot, about 15 minutes. Turn primary burner to medium and turn other burner(s) to low. (Adjust primary burner [or, if using 3-burner grill, primary burner and second burner] as needed to maintain grill temperature between 400 and 425 degrees.) 7. Clean and oil cooking grate. Divide reserved mojo sauce equally between 2 bowls. Remove chicken from -marinade, letting excess marinade drip off. Place on cooler side of grill, skin side up, cover, and cook until underside of chicken is lightly browned, about 15 minutes. Using first bowl of mojo, baste chicken, then flip chicken and baste second side (use all of first bowl). Cover and continue to cook until chicken registers 165 degrees, about 15 minutes. 8. Slide chicken to hotter side of grill, keeping skin side down, and cook (covered if using gas) until skin is well browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Flip chicken and continue to cook until chicken registers 175 degrees, about 3 minutes. Transfer chicken to platter and spoon remaining mojo sauce from second bowl over top. Tent with aluminum foil and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve. 55PLUSLIVINGGUIDE.COM

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Foodie Day-tripping tasty trips within a short drive of the Capital Region BY VIKKI MORAN

Spring 2021

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ike a short nap, a short overnight or day trip can recharge you. The good news is that options aplenty exist just hours from the Capital Region. The Catskills, Berkshires, Vermont and the Adirondack Park are on our collective doorsteps. And that means you can play outdoors, do some sightseeing, and, of course, eat.

The Catskills

The Catskill region is quickly becoming a respite for New York City chefs seeking a change of pace. New and state-of-the-art properties are sprouting everywhere as word spreads of this culinary hub. The short drive south from Albany is a scenic one, as the Hudson River and the small yet mighty Esopus weave in and out of the landscape. As an agricultural haven, the Catskills is now a mecca for brews, spirits, and farmraised meats that are touted and recognized worldwide. Driving and stopping at various roadside properties and farm stands will not only fill your pantries, but will tickle your creative juices in the kitchen. I never fail to come home with a few wonderful recipes to add to my repertoire for treating family and friends. Inspiration for new adult libations featuring local spirits, as well as a diverse offering of home grown

wines from neighboring vineyards, top off this culinary mecca. I always treat myself to a tasting and some home wine fridge shopping at Whitecliff Vineyard & Winery. Located on McKinstry Road in Gardiner, tastings are done in one-hour blocks. As with all New York wineries, masks are required for all visitors until you are seated. There is limited indoor seating for these colder spring times so dress in layers if chilly as there is plenty of outdoor seating. If Pinot Noir is your go-to wine, Eminence Farm Road Farm Winery on Eminence Road is a must-stop. Pare it with some outstanding Hudson Valley lamb for a dinner that will be memorable for sure. One of my favorite restaurants is at the Shandaken Inn. The Inn pays homage to the once locally famous Rip Van Winkle Golf Course by naming the Inn’s restaurant, The Clubhouse. The Clubhouse offers dinners Wednesdays through Sundays, serving up the bounty of both the Catskills and Hudson Valley. Start with the blistered shishito peppers. They prepare them with mezcal salt and fresh cilantro and it is some of the best that I have tried. The Beaverkill trout is another stellar dish. If you stay for the night you will be blown away with their Catskill-themed rooms as well as their special breakfast. Ask for Shakshuka and maybe even their recipe!

NOTE: Always call or email for any ongoing Covid-19 restrictions. At the time of compiling this article, all information was scheduled but changes can occur.

Duck Breast Leg confit, einkorn, date puree, hakurei turnip, yellowfoots, jus. Photo courtesy of The Clubhouse at Shandaken Inn.

Spring 2021

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The Adirondacks

Photo courtesy of Lake Placid Pub & Brewery.

Whether planning a fishing trip or gentle kayak on the beautiful Adirondack waters or just driving into the world class setting, the Adirondacks offer something for everyone. A visit to High Falls Gorge is a fun afternoon that is accessible to all skill levels and ages. A 30-minute trek though the hidden wonders of the Adirondacks, the gorge and its surroundings are truly breathtaking with plenty of opportunities to stop, rest and enjoy. The area includes trails, waterfalls, a river walk, and a gift shop and cafe. A glass walkway bridges the gorge and is well worth the look below even for the squeamish, like me. High Falls Gorge is easily accessible by heading to Route 86 in Wilmington. You will get hungry fast in the crisp mountain air and the Adirondacks are full of family owned gems along Routes 9 and 86. If you veer off into Lake Placid, you can find excellent BBQ at Smoke Signals on Main Street. Wash it down with one of their many brews, or better yet, head over for a post-lunch beer at Lake Placid Pub & Brewery, which sits across from Mirror Lake on Mirror Lake Road. You need to try the Ubu when there. President Bill Clinton was such a huge fan of this beer that he asked his aides to order some for the White House. Now that is an endorsement!

Spring 2021

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Vermont

A road trip across the border into Vermont has to begin with a Creemee. A Creemee is soft-serve ice cream with a high fat content (don’t judge) producing the smoothest, most velvety texture you can imagine. Sprinkles or not — that’s your call — but either way make certain you try a maple flavored one. The Charlotte Berry Farm (4702 Ethan Allen Hwy, Charlotte,) is a friendly, fun farm boasting a variety of berries including black raspberries, blueberries and blackberries. You can pick during berry season and finish your day with a Creemee swirled with the farm's bounty. Vermont is an awesome spot for cheese shopping but you can also find fantastic Italian food for your home cooking in Manchester. Fortuna's Sausage & Italian Market ships all over the country but visiting their gourmet market in person to gather their homemade sausages and stunning recipes is so much more fun. The owners are always happy to explain the tastes and textures of their products and steer your own taste buds in the right direction. No

Caribbean Bread Pudding Souffle, The Silver Fork.

need to go to NYC’s Eataly or Arthur Avenue in the Bronx when Fortuna’s is a short drive away. The cheese options are almost endless in a state dotted by dairy cows. The MKT in lovely Grafton Village is a great place to stop to get a good sampling of Vermont’s many cheeses. Grab a fresh sandwich while you’re there. If you plan on having a nice dinner on the drive back home, try The Silver Fork in Manchester. I have always been blown away by the food and ambience. Make certain that you save room for the bread pudding. Photo courtesy of Fortuna's Sausage Co.

Spring 2021

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Hubbard Squash Pudding with Hazelnut Praline Ice Cream and Maple Butter

Photos by Michelle Girard Photography.

The Berkshires

Health, all things botanical and world-class live performing arts thrive within a short drive from us in the Capital Region. In this travel writer’s humble opinion, a trip to the Berkshire Botanical Gardens is a must and feeds the soul. You can plan a picnic and attend one of their many events and sales. BBG is a 15-acre botanical garden in Stockbridge that features over 3,000 species and varieties with an emphasis on plants that flourish in the Berkshires. I love to drop by for a cocktail on the Red Lion Inn porch just minutes away from the gardens. Rock and sip and then make your way to their dining room when ready for some iconic New England fare served up with the right amount of local history and mystique. The Clark Art Museum in Williamstown is my happy place. During Covid, pre-purchasing reserved-time tickets is necessary but it is a small measure of preparedness to see the visiting exhibits as well as their stunning rotating collection. The collection is especially rich in French Impressionist and Academic paintings, British oil sketches, drawings, silver, and the work of American artists Winslow Homer, George Inness, and John Singer Sargent. A trip to Williamstown should not be considered complete without dropping by Hot Tomatoes Neapolitan Pizza on Water Street, not far from The Clark. The pizza is astonishing and it can stay warm if you want to drive home with it...I know, I tried. The Mount is the Lenox estate of author Edith Wharton. House and garden tours, music, theater, and sculpture are available to visitors, much of which is safely outdoors. This dazzling property is expertly tended and simply strolling through the grounds can brighten your spirits. While prowling the Berkshires, know that food and restaurant offerings are as varied as their art scene. Greek, Japanese, Mexican and so much more are found in unassuming little establishments.

Spring 2021

Fried Oyster Salad, Mesclun, Caesar Vinaigrette, Parmesan Crisp.

One of my faves is The Haven in Lenox. Breakfast and lunch are wonderful and you will certainly leave full. Pancakes for me please. For a dinner option that could be the sole focus of the trip, head to the John Andrews Farmhouse in South Egremont. Chef Dan Smith creates scratch soups each day. His soup creation and an appetizer of the grilled octopus is more than enough for me but all his entrees are amazing. Not sure where to start? No worries. The warm weather is coming and you can take the summer to visit all four areas. Enjoy! 55PLUSLIVINGGUIDE.COM

What is TMS?

SPONSORED CONTENT PINNACLE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

A safe and effective treatment for depression Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) affects more than 16.1 million American adults, roughly 7% of the U.S. population age 18 and older. Left unchecked, it can be debilitating, but the good news is, it can be controlled. The doctors at Pinnacle Behavioral Health understand that many people suffering from major depressive disorder find it difficult to regain their quality of life from medication or talk therapies alone, and don’t want to turn to electroconvulsive therapy or ECT. That’s why it offers the FDA-approved, non-invasive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy, utilizing BrainsWay Deep TMS system. Laura McMahon, MD, who is certified in both adult and child and adolescent psychiatry, explained TMS uses a magnetic field to stimulate a specific target region in the brain that controls mood, using it to treat symptoms of MDD by activating the neural pathways. When she discusses the option with patients, she has a model of the helmet that is used during treatment and explains to them that it simply goes on their head, isn’t electric, and doesn’t cause seizures or memory loss. “It takes about 20 minutes, but you need to make a commitment to it,” Dr. McMahon said. “There’s no hospitalization required and no anesthesia, so you can get up and go to work right after.” Patients who are approved for TMS must undergo approximately 36 treatments, which requires going five days a week for about 4-6 weeks, and then the visits are weened down a bit. At a first treatment, an electromagnetic coil will be placed on a patient’s head and switched off and on repeatedly to produce stimulating pulses. This results in a tapping or clicking sound that usually lasts for a few seconds, followed by a pause. There will also be a tapping sensation on the forehead, which creates proper mapping. During each subsequent visit, the patient sits in a chair, has the helmet placed on their head, and then there’s about 90 seconds of full treatment before they can take a break. This repeats for about 20 minutes.

Spring 2021

“The suite itself is very calming and relaxing,” Dr. McMahon said. “At Pinnacle, we have music, a TV in front of them, they can read a book, and sometimes they have my poodle sitting with them, which puts them in a relaxed state of mind.” Jay Hamer, PhD, a psychologist at Pinnacle, noted that it’s not just the technology that helps to make a difference—it’s the planned environment that Pinnacle has created as well. “It’s not all about just magnifying someone’s brain. It’s the whole treatment—the ambiance, the relationship with the technician, all the little things we offer that helps,” he said. “TMS is very therapeutic and feels very helpful. If TMS works for you, your depression symptoms may improve or go away completely.”

Pinnacle Behavioral Health 1 Pinnacle Place, Albany, NY 12203 (518) 689-0244 55PLUSLIVINGGUIDE.COM

Dream On How harnessing your dreams can impact your life BY CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL

“ When you dream your subconscious mind is open and becomes the doorway to anything.”

ave you ever sat in your backyard and just stared at the sky? During the day the clouds bend and twist into shapes and faces. It’s easy to get lost in your thoughts as they drift by. My favorite time to gaze and wonder is when the stars come out. On the clearest of nights you can see so many different stars and sometimes catch a falling one. A good long stare always preps my mind to enter the dream state experiences of communication with the deceased is a later that night. The endless possibilities that exist in mental state different than fabricating information or recalling facts previously obtained. the night sky also exist in our night mind. “Visitations are special and give us the opportunity I approach my dreams as an opportunity to learn, to connect with those that have passed,” says Deb Delisten and observe what is happening around me. Many questions have been answered in dreams and many Celle, a medium at Spirit Tree Connections in Clifton questions remain as I wake up. No matter what hap- Park. DeCelle has connected me to my grandmother and a close friend, both of whom have crossed over. pens I am always ready to go back the next night. Nor am I alone. Dreams can help with the creative She gave me specific information that only those people process, say dream practitioners. Glory-Anne Jones, a knew about. The ability to spend time with people that have certified clinical and transpersonal hypnotherapist at Euphoreje in Latham, recently started writing a book. crossed over is a wonderful part of dreaming. We are “Everyone has worries and problems and they don’t able to spend time with grandparents, aunts and unknow where to go for answers. The character in my cles and old friends. Those moments are special and filled with so much love. To look at them, converse book was able to come to life with them and hug them is an by me setting the intention be"A lot of stuff comes to me in dreams. incredible journey. After those fore going to sleep of receivThat's a huge influence on me. experiences I always wake up ing information and waking I take a lot of direction from dreams. up with how to put it together I process all the stuff that I do in my dreams‚ feeling their presence and love with me. I am sure it is their and how to make it happen,” my playing, my writing, whatever." she says. “It’s all these dreams BOB WEIR, Musician, Founding member, "Grateful Dead." way of reminding me that their love lives on in me and coming together to give us the that I share it with all of those in my life. answers. When you dream, your subconscious mind is In one dream, for instance, a friend’s loved one visopen and becomes the doorway to anything.” ited me to let me know that he was okay. I remember Dreams can also be a way for us to connect with those who’ve passed, say mediums who regularly com- a dream where I was hiking high up in some snowy municate with the deceased. The Windbridge Research mountains. It was cold so we stopped in a small log Center in Tucson, Arizona has done extensive research cabin with a fire inside. While warming up, the door into mediums. One study concluded that mediums’ swung open and in walked my friend’s dad. He had

Spring 2021

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recently passed away and he looked so happy and content to be hiking and adventuring. The giant smile on his face let me know he was okay. Someone is waiting for you to visit them in dreams; be open to it. Set the intention of being with this person before you go to sleep. Some people have the ability to “lucid dream,” a dream state in which the person is aware they are dreaming while they are dreaming. Back in June I dreamt that I was in the woods walking down a driveway leaving a house. As I walked down the driveway I kept hearing a strange sound and realized the sound was snow crunching under my boots. I instantly said to myself, “It’s summer, you must be dreaming.” As soon as I had that revelation, the dream took off, literally. As I became aware, I decided that I wanted to explore, so I flew straight up above the trees into the amazing starlit sky and soared above the beautiful evergreen forest. It was the most wonderful experience and I revisit that scene in my mind often. If you notice something out of the ordinary while dreaming, this is your clue to wake up while dreaming and see where it takes you. “There are no boundaries in dreams and the possibilities are endless on where they can take you,” DeCelle says. “Dreams are the subconscious’ way to help us explore and have visitations. They are vivid and give us time to connect with those who have passed over.” Dreams are personal, they are full of lessons and if we pay attention, we can learn and grow from them. Your dreams are the key to your universe. Pay attention, watch and listen. “It’s easy to take information from a dream because it’s inspired by what’s inside of you,” says Jones. “Dreams allow us to see how we are getting lost and to find a way out of that. There are so many answers in our dreams. We can find reassurance in dreams and know that we’ve got this.”

Tips to help you remember your dreams: • Keep a notebook next to your bed and write them down immediately upon waking • Record your thoughts in Voice Memos on your phone • Set an intention to remember before you go to sleep, every night • Remembering your dreams takes practice, don’t give up

Spring 2021

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What is Pivotal Financial Planning?

ike many industries, the financial services industry has evolved overtime. Financial Advisors and financial firms themselves work within various levels of this evolutionary continuum. Within each level there is value to be found as well as limitations. The most recent level that I have practiced throughout my career is what I have coined as "Pivotal Financial Planning". Before we discuss Pivotal Financial Planning, I would like to give brief descriptions of the other levels of financial planning. In the beginning many financial services firms practiced what I would describe as a pure selling model. You may think back to the days of the life insurance salesman going door to door or the well dressed stock broker “pitching stocks” over the phone or in person. This level tends to be heavily focused on features and benefits and creating the emotion within the customer interaction to buy from the sales person. This level is very transactional and rarely does it lead to a long-term client relationship.

Spring 2021

The next level of evolution within financial services was a needs based model. In this model the professional is trained to ask questions to uncover a need. If a need can be uncovered, a product may be offered to satisfy the need. Many financial professionals still work within this model today. Then we moved into what the industry often refers to as a goals based planning model. This style of planning helps identify where a client currently is, where they would like to be at some point in the future, and what actions and tools are needed to help get them there. You will notice that as you move through these evolutionary levels, the process becomes more client focused and collaborative as opposed to simply selling a product. Most recently we’ve arrived at a Pivotal Financial Planning model. Just like we share similar genes to our ancestors so you will find similar foundations within a Pivotal Financial Planning model. With that said, there are some key differences. One such distinction is that it is extremely difficult to predict the future (some would say impossible), and it is also difficult for clients to imagine or be sure of what they would want in the distant future. As humans, we tend to think from our circumstances today. For example, we project our present health into the future. Today you may be perfectly healthy without any physical limitations. Can you be sure that will continue for the rest of your life? Do you think your planning needs or desires may change if your health changes? Similarly, we tend to project our current financial state into the future. If you have a meaningful amount of

debt or are possibly behind in your retirement savings, you tend to place these limitations into your future vision. We can imagine, we can dream, and we can plan, but there is a very strong chance that the future will be different than the one you envisioned. Another challenge in a goals based planning model is predicting the future landscape. Can you tell me what taxes will be 10, 20, or 30 years from now? Do you know what inflation will be? How about the stock market? Will that be up or down when you retire? What about health care costs and delivery of health services? Will we be paying for that? Will it be free? We all have guesses, but the reality is many of us will be wrong. Pivotal Financial Planning is all about building a framework that works in many different environments. It has the flexibility to move in many different directions. It implements actions and strategies that can always be relevant, almost like a scientific law. Pivotal financial planning allows for you to flexibly pivot to help accommodate your needs and interests as the future becomes more clear. Conor Boyd is a Registered Representative and Investment Adviser Representative of Equity Services, Inc. Securities and Investment Advisory Services are offered solely by Equity Services, Inc., Member FINRA & SIPC, 333 Westchester Ave, South Building Suite 3302, White Plains, NY 10604 914.428.4000. Thoroughbred Advi-sors, LLC is independent of Equity Services, Inc. TC119685(0221)1

Thoroughbred Advisors, LLC 518-608-4608 thoroughbredadvisors.com

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SOLVING THE

PAIN

PUZZLE

Eileen Kopsaftis wants everyone to live a pain-free life BY JOHN ADAMIAN

Spring 2021

ileen Kopsaftis doesn’t think we should simply accept the idea that our bodies stop working as we get older. In her view, limited mobility and physical pain are not necessarily inescapable parts of aging. Kopsaftis is a health specialist, author and educator devoted to helping people move without pain and experience physical wellbeing. She employs manual techniques, nutrition and a host of other methods to assist people. Many of her consultations have involved Zoom meetings since before the pandemic, so she’s been comfortable utilizing online video-conferencing for years to help people eliminate avoidable physical pain in their daily lives. With a series of classes at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, a new book (Pain Culprits!, published at the end of last year), and a website that offers both free and subscription-based services, exercises and assessments, Kopsaftis brings a wide-ranging approach to the problem of pain. The ancient Greeks knew that life loses much of its point and pleasure for people beset by physical suffering. As the early anatomist Herophilus wrote,”When health is absent, wisdom is absent, wisdom cannot reveal itself, art cannot manifest, strength cannot fight, wealth becomes useless and intelligence cannot be applied.” For many of us, our 50s bring new twinges, cramps, aches, pressures, sensitivities and tensions in our feet, shoulders, knees, hips, backs and elbows — you name it. A stoical attitude toward physical decline encourages sufferers to suffer quietly instead of working to change behavior, adjust our posture, align our movements, stretch, or alter our diets. Kopsaftis wants people to know they don’t need to be in pain. “We are not designed to fall apart,” she says. And sometimes the solutions are simple. “My goal is to erase pain from the world, and that is my passion,” says Kopsaftis. Her path to helping people live pain-free started with a childhood interest in being a doctor, a growing sense that traditional medicinal treatments were not always ideal, and a hunch that diet could have a significant role in health. “Every person is unique and individual,” says Kopsaftis. “Everybody is like a puzzle.” Solving the pain puzzle involves helping the sufferer to get in touch with their body to think about what the cause of the pain might be. A slicing ache in the shoulder doesn’t necessarily mean that the origin of the problem is in that exact area. If your hips or ankles 55PLUSLIVINGGUIDE.COM

aren’t aligned properly, for instance, muscles in other parts of your neck or your back might compensate, creating strain and pain away from the actual source of the trouble. “When you start training your body and you start treating your body, you see immediate results,” says Kopsaftis. Depending on the specific case, Kopsaftis can approach the particular issue from a number of different angles. Within the scope of her healing practice, she lists over a dozen techniques and methods, including Muscle Energy, Mulligan’s Mobilization with Movement, Strain and Counterstrain, Neuofascial release, craniosacral therapy, spinal stabilization, the MELT Method and more. Some of these techniques focus on tensions and pressure in and around bones and muscles. In many cases, dietary adjustments can also reduce inflammation that leads to pain and reduced mobility. Kopsaftis routinely begins an assessment by asking for a five-day food diary so she knows everything that someone has ingested. It’s a holistic approach. “Everything is connected to everything else,” is the title of one of Kopsaftis’s videos on her site, designed to help individuals zero in on what she calls their “pain culprits.” In addition to the dietary questions, Kopsaftis also investigates the state of a patient’s mobility with regard to the three core planes of anatomical motion. Restoring these three core planes of motion is one of Kopsaftis’s first modes of inquiry. She’s enthusiastic about the MELT method, which helps the individual undo the accumulated pressures and tensions of daily living, with the help of padded mats and rollers that approximate some of the effects of more hands-on osteopathic treatments. Many of us have grown to expect a doctor to give us medicine to solve physical problems. But Kopsaftis’s approach is rooted in the idea that a little bit of gentle action, motion and change is the key. In other words, when we take part in addressing our health and wellbeing, the results are generally better. “You can’t passively learn how to fix yourself.”

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Spring 2021

• Water views • On-site dining options provided by Mazzone Hospitality • Heat, air conditioning, and hot water included • WiFi, Cable TV and Telephone included

Call 518-459-2711 to schedule a private tour. The Beltrone Living Center is owned and operated by: Colonie Senior Service Centers, Inc. 6 Winners Circle, Albany, NY 12205 CSSC, Inc. was established in 1981 as duly authorized 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation.

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FOREVER LOVE BY ROD MICHAEL

It was 55 plus years ago that I was a senior in high school taking a yearlong typing class. I sat in the back of the classroom with a good buddy of mine and we had a complete view of the whole classroom. A junior girl who I silently had a crush on sat in the front row. I guess I paid more attention to her than I did my typing exercises. She was a popular person in her class, and I had a hard time putting two words together to make a simple sentence. I did have the lead in the senior play that year, although reading someone else’s lines and coming up with your own was surely a struggle for this boy. Each of us needed to walk a few more miles before my closest childhood friend would try on several different occasions to get us together. She was in nursing school and I was serving four years in the military, both in and out of the country, so timing was our nemesis. She would be the maid of honor in my friend’s wedding and I the best man, but the right time had yet to arrive. We continued our way and she still did not know that I was crazy about her. She graduated from nursing school and I was close to getting discharged when my dear friend set us up on a get together, not a date, just a, ”Could he tag along?” She consented and it was a Labor Day “get together” at the Catskill Game Farm, followed up by a movie. I believe it was then that she found out that I had a keen interest in her. A month and some odd days later Spring 2021

we were engaged and then married in less than a year. We are now here at the 50 year mile mark. We have two wonderful sons, a daughter-in-law, a grandson, and a lifetime of wonderful family experiences. We have been extremely blessed with so many wonderful friendships along the way. Life and your marriage are a journey. There are bumps, bangs, scrapes, and sometimes bruises. You may truly question all of it at times and you may need help to get yourself back on track. We are no exception, I can only say if you need help, please get it. We used professional dance lessons to get ourselves back on track. When you dance, you must always smile and work together to get those dance steps down and when you mess up, there is no finger pointing. You start the music over until you get it right. If something is wrong, say so. Do not put your head in the sand and pretend it will get better. It will not. Love is a work in progress, and you must be present every step of the way. So, here we are at the 50 year mark and I could not be happier or more in love. The other morning, I woke before she did and I was staring over at her, her eyes closed, and I said to myself, “She is one beautiful woman. I am so glad she is my wife!” I can hear your question right now, “Did you tell her?” You better believe I did. Let no words of love go unspoken! 55PLUSLIVINGGUIDE.COM

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Looking to Retire Elsewhere? What to consider before you make a move

BY KIMBERLY BLAKER

f you’re nearing retirement, you may be looking forward to the beginning of a new and exciting chapter in life. You will no longer have to dedicate your time and energy to a job or raising kids. For many retirees, this means a return to focusing on their own wants and needs. One of the most significant changes new retirees often consider is moving to a new city or state. The idea of relocating is an exciting way to embrace your new life. But it’s also a big decision you may want to consider carefully, especially if it means leaving family behind. When you’re finally able to retire, a new and exciting chapter in life begins. You no longer have to dedicate your time and energy to a job or raising kids. For many retirees, this means a return to focusing on their own wants and needs.

Spring 2021

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One of the most significant changes new retirees often consider is moving to a new city or state. The idea of relocating is an exciting way to embrace your new life. But it’s also a big decision you may want to consider carefully, especially if it means leaving family behind.

Living where you love or someplace more affordable During earlier adulthood, people often relocate based on their jobs or the best location to raise a family. Retirement provides you the opportunity to choose where you want to live just because that’s what you

Retirement means you likely have less income than you did before. So having a smaller mortgage or rent payments, lower property taxes and insurance, and less maintenance and repairs can save you a bundle. If you’ve got equity in your home or home values in your area have risen since you purchased your home, you might even make a profit from selling it. Do you currently live in an area with a high cost of living? If so, you may be able to find an area you’d enjoy with a much lower cost of living, thereby offering you multiple benefits.

“Moving away from family and friends is easier than ever before because of all the technology available for keeping your relationships close through virtual connection.” want, therefore, eliminating many factors to consider. There are many reasons retirees choose to relocate. Most often, they want to live in a place that offers them a better way of life. A significant factor retirees consider is choosing an area where they’d love to live. Maybe you live in a suburban area but really enjoy nature and hiking. Or perhaps you’ve lived and worked in a crowded city for years, but would rather spend your time relaxing by the beach. After you retire, you’re better able to prioritize your personal preferences when deciding where to live. Think about what things you enjoy and the type of environment that makes you feel your best to help narrow down your options. Another important factor to consider is affordability. If you’re thinking about moving after retirement, you may want to consider downsizing. If all your kids are grown and gone, you probably don’t need as much space. Plus, you may have different needs that are better served with a smaller home.

Spring 2021

The pros and cons of relocating Deciding to move away from family and friends after retirement is a big decision. Creating a list of personal pros and cons is a helpful tool to help you process all the factors. Everyone has their own unique pros and cons based on various aspects. The ones below can help you get started. But don’t forget to add your own.

Pros • Leaving behind obligations, old drama, or bad memories • Getting a fresh start • Finding a more appropriate place for your stage of life • Finding a new community with whom you have more in common • Leaving an area that has a younger population and a family focus • Saving money by downsizing or living in a less expensive area 55PLUSLIVINGGUIDE.COM

Cons • • • • •

Being away from familiar and special places Having to develop new routines Not getting to see family and friends regularly Starting over new takes a lot of effort Needing to make new friends and find new social outlets • Moving can be difficult and stressful

How to manage relationships with kids and grandkids if you do move away One of the biggest hesitations retirees have about relocating is that it’ll take them away from their kids and grandchildren. If you’re used to living close to them and enjoy the benefits of living nearby and spending lots of time together, leaving family behind can be difficult. You may feel relocating is right for you, yet you’re still worried about living so far away from your loved ones. Fortunately, there are many ways to keep your relationships strong, even from a distance. Moving away from family and friends is easier than ever before because of all the technology now available for keeping your relationships close through virtual connection. Gone are the days of delayed communication through limited means. You can now easily see your kids or grandchildren at the push of a button. Through social media, you can follow them to see regular updates, pictures, and videos of important things happening in their lives. It’s just as easy to have direct communication at any time using text messaging and phone or video calls. Video calls can give you the feeling you’re right there with your family. At the pace technology is advancing, long-distance communication will only continue to get better. In some ways, living away from your family can make seeing each other even better. When you live near family, you may not put as much effort into seeing each other or the quality of your time together because everyone’s lives are so busy. If you live further away, the times you get to spend together will be more focused, special, and memorable. You can travel to each other’s locations or meet for vacations together for a fun change of pace. The time leading up to visits can be fun too with countdowns or sending messages to each other as the visit gets closer and your excitement builds. contnued on page 58 Spring 2021

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Spring 2021

How to make the most of your new life if you do move away If you do decide to relocate, the best thing you can do is go into it prepared, so it’s a great experience from the start. You’ll want to begin by figuring out precisely what you want out of your new home, town, and life to narrow down the places that make the most sense for you to move to. Even if you already have a dream location in mind, know the reasons why you want to live there and that it’ll actually meets your expectations for retired life. It’s a good idea to visit any new places you’re seriously considering relocating to and spend time there. You’ll want to be familiar with the area you choose to relocate to. Check out the city or town, including the more mundane aspects of it, like places where you’ll run errands. Talk to locals, also, particularly those at a similar stage of life, and get their perspective. Real-

Creating a list of personal pros and cons is a helpful tool to help you process all the factors. tors and librarians are both excellent resources for getting more information about what your potential new hometown has to offer. Once you’ve relocated, look for ways to get involved and become a part of your new community. Leaving your old home also means losing the relationships and routines you were used to. At the same time, as a new retiree, you have a lot more time on your hands than you’re accustomed to. So find healthy and fun ways to fill that time to ensure you’re taking advantage of your new opportunities. Look for group classes that align with your interests or offer the opportunity to try something new. There are often classes specifically for senior populations where you can meet other people to build new relationships and enjoy retired life together. Both the local library and city recreation department are helpful resources for finding these classes and groups. You can also go online to Meetup.com to find various social groups with a broad array of activities and interests. It’s a great way to do the things you love and make new friends who have something in common. Retirement is a time of change that can be both wonderful and daunting. So whatever path you’re considering, weigh your options carefully to find the best situation best suited for enjoying your new life. 55PLUSLIVINGGUIDE.COM

Spring 2021

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Just WEAR IT

Picking the best fitness gear for you BY KIMBERLY BLAKER

Spring 2021

55PLUSLIVINGGUIDE.COM

CAREGIVING SECTION

itness and health are vital components to a balanced lifestyle. Ask most people, especially after the new year, and they likely have some sort of health or fitness-related goal. Wearable technology makes it easier than ever to keep on top of your goals. It encourages healthy habits by tracking and analyzing various stats and their impact on your health. Many options are available on the market for wearable technology. Most come in a watch-based design, but there are alternatives as well. Many of these tech companies even offer a variety of options, making it easy to find the best wearable fitness for your particular wants, needs, and budget. Most trackers have the same basic features but with various advanced features. So before you buy, consider what you want from your wearable technology as well as what types of devices you already have that are compatible. The following are among some of the top options to consider.

Fitbit Charge 4 is a balance between a smartwatch and a more basic tracker. It does not have the larger face of a smartwatch and only has basic apps included. But it can track many things like your 24/7 heart rate and sleep to give you a more in-depth health profile on the app. It comes with a built-in GPS, so you do not need your phone to record outdoor workouts. It also includes Spotify Control if you have a Spotify premium membership, and offers the option to pay from your watch. Battery: up to 7 days per charge Cost: $149.95* Fitbit Versa 2 has the same features as the Charge 4 but is a smartwatch with a larger touch screen face and hundreds of available apps you can download. If you have an Amazon Alexa, you can use the Versa 2 to connect directly to it. Battery: 6+ days per charge Cost: $149.95* Fitbit Inspire is the most basic, cost-effective model the company offers. It is a smaller size with fewer features but still has a digital clock face with stats, reminders, and pace and distance in real-time. You can also receive notifications from your smartphone. To track heart rate and related stats like sleep or cardio fitness scores, you will need the Inspire HR. The regular Inspire includes steps taken, distance, calories burned, hourly activity, and stationary time. Battery: up to 5 days per charge Cost: $49.95*

Spring 2021

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Garmin vivofit 4 is Garmin’s basic fitness watch. It tracks steps, distance, calories burned, and has Move IQ to track and classify activity on Garmin Connect, the included app it syncs to. You can also use it for alarms, reminders, the weather, and as a timer. Battery: 1+ year Cost: $49.99* Garmin vivosmart 4 is the next step up from the vivofit, adding the ability to track heart rate and blood oxygen saturation to gather even more data. It has advanced sleep tracking, stress-monitoring, and Body Battery energy monitoring to keep you aware of activity or rest needs. This wearable has some smartwatch features like vibrating notifications, activity trackers, and the ability to connect to your smartphone's GPS to

record outdoor activity. Battery: up to 7 days per charge Cost: $99.99* Garmin vivoactive 4s is one of Garmin’s smartwatch models with a larger, round face and touch screen with available apps. Some of the additional features are music on your phone, preloaded sports apps, workout animations viewable on the watch screen, and location sharing for safety and tracking. Battery: up to 7 days Cost: $269.99* Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 is another smartwatch with a large, round face. It tracks activity and workouts, heart rate, sleep, and stress levels. You can also use apps on the watch to stream music or YouTube, answer calls or texts, get notifications, meditate, and more. The Active 2 also offers either a golf or Under Armour edition with special features. The golf edition includes satellite maps of 40,000+ courses and real-time data and coaching for your game. The Under Armour edition focuses on running with form coaching. Battery: up to 3-4 days Cost: $229.99* Samsung Galaxy Fit is the more basic wearable tracker from Samsung. It has a smaller touch screen that can show notifications from your phone, basic information, and workout data. This device tracks heart rate, sleep, activity, calories, caffeine and water intake, and workouts. Battery: up to 1 week Cost: $69.99* Withings Move Watch is an activity tracker with a traditional analog face and no touch screen. It has a third dial on its face to track activity. Information is then synced to the free Health Mate app for tracking and analysis. It has an internal GPS and automatically tracks activity, or you can start a manual workout by pressing the side button. It also tracks sleep, sleep stages, and has alarms and Smart Wake-up included. Battery: up to 18 months Cost: starting at $69.95* Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 4 is a smaller watch device with a basic touchscreen to view data, calls, texts, and notifications. It tracks heart rate, sleep, activity, and workout data. It also syncs data with the Mi Fit app to record and analyze information gathered. Battery: up to 20 days Cost: on Amazon for $29.99*

Spring 2021

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Apple Watch Series 5 is more of a smartwatch with fitness features and capabilities. It is compatible with thousands of apps, including many fitness-related ones. It tracks heart rate, activity, sleep, and fitness activities. The Apple Watch has motivating factors like three colored activity rings you work to close based on personal goals. Other unique health-related features include an ECG app to check your heart's rhythm and noise warnings to protect your hearing. For those with diabetes, it can check glucose levels from your monitor. It also has fall detection that can automatically notify emergency services or emergency contacts. It has a shorter battery life than other wearable technology, so it can't be used for 24/7 monitoring. Battery: up to 18 hours per charge Cost: starting at $399* WHOOP is a fitness tracker band without any watch face or screen that does 24/7 monitoring. The strap itself is the tracker that gathers data for the WHOOP app. The app analyzes and breaks the data down into detailed reports for the categories of sleep, recovery, and strain. It includes feedback for all parts of your life, not just fitness, and shows how everything affects your health in different ways. Battery: 5 days (a charged battery pack fits on the strap while worn for uninterrupted monitoring) Cost: the basic wrist band is included in the subscription costs of $30 per month* Oura Ring is an excellent option if you want something more subtle. This ring uses sensors to track heart rate, movement, and temperature to record activity, workouts, sleep, and more. The data is synced to an app that provides analysis, insights, and interpretation of what the numbers mean for your personal health and habits. Battery: up to 7 days, wireless charger completes in 1 hour Cost: $299* Hexoskin is a smart garment company that offers machine washable smart shirts that track cardiac (including ECG), respiratory, sleep, and activity data, which syncs to your device. Astronauts on the ISS used the Astroskin Bio-Monitor system and published reports found on the Hexoskin website. Battery: 12-30+ hours Cost: ranges from $169 for the shirt (without necessary device included) to $579 for the pro kit.* *All prices are based on the time of writing. Spring 2021

Did you know you hear with your brain? Untreated hearing loss interferes with your ability to connect with friends and loved ones and can increase your risk of cognitive decline. Keeping your brain fit by treating hearing loss with hearing aids not only helps you hear better, it can diminish the likelihood of many health, mental and social illnesses.

Learn more and call to schedule a one-on-one appointment today.

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hearinglife.com WHEN CALLING, MENTION CODE AG60-11

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The Vine

BY FRANK BUCK

Green Beans and Friends: A moral to the story!

ost things in life that are worth anything will require a little hard work. As my mother used to say, “If you want something in life, you have got to put a little elbow grease into it!” My nephew and I have started cooking together via Facetime each night. He is new to the cooking world. He knows I love to cook, so this has turned out to be a beautiful fit. He is mastering his knife skills and is doing a great job with the different dishes we have experimented with. For me, the greatest part is a closer connection with him and of course the banter that goes on. He can really pack the food away and he loves my garlicky green beans recipe. He likes it so much that he can eat a whole package with dinner. His vegetable dislikes are greater than his likes, so the green beans are his go to. He lives alone and has taken over his parents’ house, not to mention working a full-time job with plenty of overtime. His father had a vegetable garden, but let it go over the past few years and anyone who has gardened knows that it requires work. My nephew knows that I am a huge gardener, so he asked me the other night how hard is it to grow green beans? I replied by saying, “You are going to need a fence around that old garden plot if you intend on getting anything. Then you are going to have to do some reclaiming, such as weeding, tilling, and fertilizing.” He said, “That seems like an awful lot of work for

Spring 2021

some green beans. Maybe this was a bad idea?” I quickly reminded him that if you want those beans you love so much, you are going to have to keep at those weeds or they will win. He grumbled a little bit when I said I would buy him what he needs to get started and that I promised to check in each night to see if he was out there weeding. Over the past couple of years I have been rekindling an older friendship. We have all probably experienced it once in our life. People move, change interests, become consumed with work or perhaps a disagreement was the cause for the breakup. I am of the opinion that if there was common ground in the beginning, you can find your way back. It can be as simple as a text or phone call, sitting down face to face and sharing some old stories, sharing some secrets, fears or concerns and perhaps lending a helping hand. You and your friend should feel like you have each other’s back. Friends should feel like they can always tell the truth. If for one minute you think this does not take careful thought and hard work to gain each other’s trust again, you are mistaken. I think it best to take your time and make the other party realize you are for real and truly respect having them as a friend. It is kind of like reclaiming that old garden plot: weed out the bad, fertilize that soil, plant those seeds, and keep the bad stuff out. A friend that you can count on is one of life’s greatest gifts. 55PLUSLIVINGGUIDE.COM

BOOK WITH A

5 REASONS TO GO 5-STAR H H EAR IT FIRST HAND — Our Preferred Sandals Agency (PSA) pro’s haven’t just taken a class, they’ve visited our resorts to live like guests, so they can best advise you on your path to paradise. H G ET INSIDER INFO — PSA’s are the first to know about promotions, events and resort updates, plus enjoy a close relationship with on-property General Managers for any breaking news. H M AKE IT SIMPLE — If you’ve been dreaming of getting in that Over-theWater Bungalow, Skypool or Swim-Up Suite, Preferred Sandals Agency will be able to find just the right time to vacation. H F EEL LIKE FAMILY — Whether it’s setting up a romantic candlelight dinner, finding the ultimate island excursion or selecting the coziest room, PSA’s are committed to an unforgettable vacation that’s personal. H G ET LUXURY SERVICE — Because you deserve the very best, our loyal PSA advisors aim to give you unparalleled service to match our unrivaled resorts.

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After what has been a very long year, there is good news: Spring has NOT been cancelled! As the sun shines and the days get longer, local farms are starting to come alive, reminding us that light always follows the darkness. Things are looking so much brighter around here. With this rebirth, comes a renewed sense of hope. When all is said and done, it’s all about the people in our lives. We feel so grateful to be a part of an extraordinary and extensive community of local farmers, producers, makers, doers, and givers. We weathered the storm together — and together, we’re moving toward the sunshine. Let’s share this hope and keep taking care of each other. Say hello to someone you see everyday on the street, visit your favorite local restaurant, buy a farm share for the upcoming season, and shop for all of the great local stuﬀ at your favorite co-op. Spread the love, spend local.

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Articles inside

LOOKING TO

FOREVER LOVE

A LITTLE PIECE

GET GRILLING

HERB YOUR ENTHUSIASM

DREAM ON

IT’S A DIRTY BUSINESS

FOODIE DAY-TRIPPING

PASSAGES

EDITOR’S NOTE