55+ Living Fall 2021 by 55+ Life

Fall | 2021

SECOND

ACTS Jumpstarting your next chapter! • Local experts share their

career change tips • 4 Capital Region residents share their stories • Inspirational stories from actress Patricia Heaton

SOUP’S ON

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THE JOY OF DOWNSIZING LOCAL EXPERTS SHARE THEIR TOP TIPS

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Fall 2021

CONTENTS

28 23 FEATURES

HEALTH & WELLNESS

How to switch careers midlife

How to get back into exercising

13 SECOND ACTS

16 TAKING THE LEAP

The stories of four Capital Region residents who decided the time for a career change was NOW!

25 WHAT’S YOUR SECOND ACT? Inspiring stories and tips from actress Patricia Heaton

FOOD & DRINK 53 SOUP’S ON

39 GET UP AND GO 45 WHAT A PAIN

Tips and strategies for alleviating arthritis symptoms

50 THE JOY OF DOWNSIZING

HOME & GARDEN

The U.S. Virgin Islands offer something for everyone

What’s trending in kitchen design right now

55+ Living | Fall 2021

LIFESTYLE

TRAVEL

Road tripping to the Brimfield Antique Flea Market

Turn it up!

Cycling for exercise AND fun

Not sure where to begin? Local experts offer their top tips.

32 OH, THE TREASURES YOU’LL FIND

10 EDITOR’S NOTE 66 THE VINE

61 JOY RIDE

Hearty soups and chowders perfect for fall

28 LIKE A VIRGIN

40 KITCHEN UPGRADES

WANT MORE? Go to 55pluslivingguide.com for the pros and cons of long term care insurance, delicious recipes, and more!

On the Cover

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Frank Buck Joanne Cleaver Rebecca Gatto Sheryl Nance-Nash Barbara Reina Janet Reynolds Cari Scribner Brianna Snyder Benita Zahn

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Editor’s Note

BY ALISON MICHAEL

Second Acts Something happens for many of us when we turn 55, 60, or 65. It’s the time in our lives when we hear the buzz from friends and colleagues retiring. Many enjoyed successful careers and are preparing for their next chapter. They are thinking about all the ways they will fill their days while embracing this newly discovered freedom. In this issue we sit down with four Capital Region residents— Benita Zahn, Marcia White, David Rook, and Renee Giannetti— who share how they are defining their Second Acts. Their stories inspire us to look at our lives and explore ways to learn new skills, challenge our minds and find new experiences. Staying engaged and productive gives all of us a sense of purpose and increases our happiness and well being. We are living longer and remaining healthier than any other time period. The retirement age continues to be a moving target. Too often we think about our lives in black and white terms. How can I continue to contribute in meaningful ways now that I have retired? It’s not the beginning or the end, but how we live during all life’s stages that fulfills us and makes our lives richer. A second act is your encore, your chance to keep your mind engaged and explore new possibilities. Don’t fear it. Embrace it “There is no passion to be found playing small—in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” – Nelson Mandela

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Second

Acts How to switch careers

MIDLIFE LOCAL EXPERTS...

give their top tips for changing careers pages 14-15

—•— 4 CAPITAL REGION RESIDENTS... share their second acts pages 16-23

—•— INSPIRATIONAL STORIES FROM...

Everybody Loves Raymond’s Patricia Heaton page 25

Fall 2021 | 55pluslivingguide.com

GETTING STARTED How to

switch careers midlife BY CARI SCRIBNER

hrow away the notion that middle-age is a time for crisis, and instead, think of it as an opportunity for change. In your 50s and 60s, your life has no doubt already undergone transformation. Your grown children are likely finishing college and out on their own, your mortgage may be paid off, and you may have already downsized from a larger home to one more suited to your needs. If you’re ready to transition to a new career, now’s the time to take stock of where you are heading—and hoping to land—in your new field. “You can’t jump without a plan,” says Tom Denham, career counselor and motivational speaker and owner of Careers In Transition LLC in Albany. “What you need to do is find the courage and motivation to launch that plan.” Changing careers at any time in life is likely to be most successful if you follow the basics. Some of these tips you even may have learned in your high school guidance office or your college career center. In other words, you don’t reinvent the wheel. Instead, spend some time taking inventory of your talents, goals and dreams. You may quickly hear that inner voice that’s been nudging you for years to hone your culinary skills to become a caterer. Or perhaps you’re a teacher who’s longed to work one-on-one with students and would love to be a tutor. Maybe you’ve always

55+ Living | Fall 2021

been great at home repairs and have the experience to open your own Mr. Fix It business. Perhaps you wrote the church newsletter and are interested in being a content writer. The list of available opportunities is broad and varied. “It’s all about finding out who you are and where you want to be,” says Bonny Boice, an executive coach who owns her own Albany-based business, BGB Consulting and Retreats. “It’s part of life’s journey. You are always learning more about yourself. It never ends.” Boice knows firsthand about making a midlife career change. In her 50s she bid farewell to accounting as a COO for a large company and went into life counseling. “I realized I couldn’t care less about spreadsheets,” Boice says, laughing. “What I really enjoy is helping other people, so I began to steer in that direction.” A great way to jumpstart the discovery process is by taking online self-assessment and career exploration exams. These question-and-answer tests (no essays required) are designed to spotlight your strengths and identify career paths that will put those strong points to good use. The tests can show, for example, whether you lean toward creative or analytical jobs; if you work best alone or as part of a team; and how you can best use your communication skills.

Then, it’s time to put pen to paper and write a complete list of your skills and experience. You’ve taken your hopes and dreams into account, but for this step, you need to be realistic. Many of us wished as children to be astronauts or doctors finding the next cure to save the world. These are not likely within reach at this stage of the game. Do, however, include even minor skills in this list. Maybe you were the go-to person for technical computer glitches, or you organized the company’s annual donation drive for a non-profit or selected the furnishings for the lobby. All of these point to your abilities to be hands-on, organized and creative. Focusing on your talents and strengths will also boost your confidence and help you stay motivated. If you find yourself stymied at the ideas stage, you may want to consult with a life coach. Hour-long sessions run about $80 to $200, and you can opt for a single session or a series of 5 to 7 or more. Changing careers means taking into account down-to-earth considerations as well. One of them, of course, is your finances. Can you afford to switch careers, and if so, do you need a full or part-time job? If you plan to get more education or training, can you manage to pay the bills while doing this? Talk to your partner and other family members about what is realistic, and what’s simply unattainable. Boice kept her job in corporate finance for three years while she transitioned into life coaching. Once you’ve narrowed down the type of job that will be fulfilling and meet your financial needs, it’s time to put the plan into action. Yes, you should take advantage of LinkedIn and the numerous online job search engines. But a valuable tool for finding jobs has always been, and perhaps always will be, talking to everyone you know about your search and picking their brains for what may be out there today. Networking is still the name of the game. “Find people who are in the field you are seeking,” Boice says. “Talk to them about what they like about it. Look for mentors.” There are other practical matters at hand when making a career switch, such as updating your resume. There are plenty of services out there to help make yours stand out from the crowd and spotlight your experience and skills. Take advantage of all the resources at your fingertips. For example, AARP has an easy-to-navigate online Job Board for its members. This job search tool was designed for experienced workers, and helps users look for job openings that match their background and interests. Narrow results with filters for part-time work, fulltime work, location and more. With age comes wisdom, and you can harness that deep well of experience to your advantage. “The older you get, the more you know,” says Lisa Giruzzi, a business and life coach and owner of Transformational Conversations in Colonie. “Find your own truth, and then use that to build your own path.”

BONNY BOICE SAYS... changing careers in middle-age is all about baby steps. “Set small attainable goals that point you in the direction of where you want to go. It’s not likely to happen overnight, but you can start the journey.”

TOM DENHAM SAYS...

it can be a fast track to “volunteer your way into a career.” Maybe you’re a gardener who has always wanted to work for a landscaper (or start your own business). You can volunteer at a local community garden or historic site to keep the property groomed, then use that experience to open doors for a paying job. Or spend a few hours a week at the public library and you may hear of an opening for a desk clerk. Take charge organizing gatherings for families and friends, then market yourself as a party planner. The possibilities are limitless.

LISA GIRUZZI SAYS...

many older adults have grown tired of working for someone else, or have gotten to the top of their field and don’t have more room to grow. “This is something many people don’t think about, but what better way is there to use what you’ve learned than by starting your own business?” Fall 2021 | 55pluslivingguide.com

Taking the Leap

Four Capital Region residents who decided the time for a career change was NOW! STORY BY REBECCA GATTO | PHOTOS BY KRIS QUA

Ask kids what they want to be when they grow up, and they might say firefighter, teacher or ballet dancer. As young adults, perhaps they'll continue their education and the university will ask them to choose a major: biology, law, nursing. But where they go next is a different story. According to EdX, as many as 15 percent of college graduates don’t use their major-specific knowledge at all in their current jobs. Even in 2019, the job listing site Indeed found that nearly half of workers have made a dramatic career shift, and 65 percent have at least considered doing so. The same research found, however, that only a quarter of Gen Xers and one in 10 Baby Boomers said they planned to look for different work after retirement.

ou likely know Benita Zahn as a beloved Capital Region news anchor. Or perhaps you’ve seen her onstage in local musicals—or maybe even as an extra in the Amazon series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Today, she’s a one-on-one health coach who’s still a fixture of the regional theater community. Zahn grew up on Long Island where she began her career in news at CableVision. From there she moved to Syracuse for 2 years, before moving to the Capital Region for a job as a reporter on News Channel 13 (WYNT). She figured she wouldn’t stay here long, either—hopping from market to market is a hallmark of a career in TV news—but after her mother died at age 48, Zahn decided to stay near friends and family. She started as a reporter before anchoring a number of different News 13’s programs. As the face of Health Beat when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Zahn found herself in a position to help guide people through a frightening and often confusing experience. She was the right person for the job; in addition to her years of news experience, Zahn also has undergraduate and graduate degrees in bioethics. But as the river of pandemic-related information slowed to a more manageable trickle, she found herself longing for something new. “I had the best job in town,” Zahn says about her time at Channel 13. But she found herself singing a

55+ Living | Fall 2021

That older workers are more leery of switching careers midlife isn’t surprising. Following your passion can feel so fraught with potential potholes that many just let the dream remain just that. But while switching careers mid-life and following your passion can feel (at times) like a fool’s errand, embarking on a new career can pay off in boundless ways: better work-life balance, higher compensation, and a renewed lease on your work life. Making that leap from an idea to a reality does take preparation (see our story on page 14 for tips from local experts on how to get started). Here are four inspiring stories from Capital Region professionals who took the mid-life leap—and aren’t looking back.

tune from the musical Sweet Caroline: “There’s gotta be something better than this.” Her greatest achievement, she says, is anytime she’s helped a viewer. Especially on Health Beat, she would get emails thanking her for information that had improved or even saved someone’s life. Health Beat lives on at wnyt.com, where Zahn still regularly contributes, but Zahn’s newest endeavor is as a private health coach. In some ways that change is a logical one from her reporting work. Just as she worked to inform and empower viewers during the most fearsome moments of the pandemic, she now works with individuals to identify and achieve their goals. She suggests setting benchmarks at a variety of times: one week, three months, a year. “You know how to eat an elephant?” she quips. “One bite at a time.” For those considering changing their careers, Zahn advises taking stock of what you need and want—and being honest with yourself. If you need social interaction or structure to be happy and successful, determine how to get those things. Consider how many hours you want to invest in your new venture. “At the heart of it is always reinventing yourself,” she says. “If you don’t reinvent yourself, you become stale.” Plus, be ready for the unexpected. “A roller coaster takes a lot of drops,” she says, “but boy, don’t you love ‘em?”

B E N I TA Z A H N

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RENEE GIANNETTI 18

55+ Living | Fall 2021

From ROCKS to BLOCKS...

s an undergraduate, Renee Giannetti studied fashion merchandising—and, to be fair, she does sell clothes. But today they’re mostly for dogs, and her route was hardly direct. For 31 years, Giannetti worked as a commercial interior designer. COVID threw a wrench into her decades-long career when she was furloughed, but she didn’t despair. Instead, she found opportunity in the forced intermission. “I always wanted to have a pet boutique,” Giannetti says. She had also identified a hole in the market: she couldn’t seem to find handmade, socially responsible, top-quality goods for her Cairn Terrier, Rocco, and Havanese, Sebastian. She had already given her business its maiden voyage at a couple of local pop-ups when the governor ordered statewide shutdowns. Thanks to a caveat that labeled shops with pet food “essential,” thus allowing them to remain open for business, she decided it was time for a storefront. “I cashed in a couple of retirement accounts and my savings,” Giannetti says. Initially she leased a retail space in North Greenbush. And while she loved the store and her regulars, whom she came to recognize by their dogs because everyone was masked, she wanted a spot that would get more foot traffic. Her new space in Troy, which includes both a pet boutique and a spa area for dogs, officially opened in August. She’s filled the shop, which is twice the size of the previous one, with locally-baked treats, organic washes, and sustainable textiles. There’s also a small children’s section, since she offers workshops for kids on how to train and handle their pets. She even has artisan goods for cats. Giannetti, who is 55 years old, says she thinks a lot of people her age have probably thought about changing professions. “We’ve done it; we’ve had a good run,” she says. “We’re ready for the next thing.” If you have support and a good idea, most people won’t regret trying something new, she says. “My thing is life’s too short,” Giannetti says. “You’ve just got to do it. Personally, to know you’ve tried and done everything you can—that’s most important.”

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DAVID ROOK 20

55+ Living | Fall 2021

avid Rook’s career has taken him from a Japanese fishing trawler on the Bering Sea to Ground Zero after 9/11. Each experience has built on the next to make him the successful attorney he is now. But he doesn’t want you to think he did it on purpose. “We often draw a linear narrative” when talking about career trajectory, the 65-year-old says. “I can also talk about it as a jumbled mess of connected accidents.” Rook initially considered and rejected the attorney career path of his father and grandfather, choosing instead to study biology. He then worked as a fisheries observer for the National Fishing Service, a job that involved spending two months at a time at sea. But after his first two-month trip, tragedy struck back at home in Albany: his family’s home caught fire, and he returned to help. Back in the Capital Region, he joined the ranks of New York State employees. After trying out a few different roles, he moved to Buffalo for a government opportunity and got his MBA at SUNY Buffalo. Around that time, he started to reassess his work. Rook says he remembers thinking, “Retirement is further away than I’ve been alive. There are possibilities here.” After completing just one semester of a doctorate program in finance—”It was too much with the kids,” he says—he returned home to Albany to study law. A student society got wind of his science background and invited him to join. That’s how he learned that there’s a separate bar exam for intellectual property attorneys, and that only professionals with degrees in either science and engineering, in addition to law, are eligible to take it. Rook is now an intellectual property attorney, special counsel at Hoffman Warnick. But his career has also taken other detours. His family tragedy inspired him to become a firefighter in Colonie, then Slingerlands, where he joined their robust rescue team. This is how he ended up pitching in at Ground Zero. His work as a first responder got him a successful interview for a Friehoffer’s commercial, which allowed him to become eligible to join the Screen Actors Guild, of which he is now a member. For those considering chasing a new professional goal, Rook warns not becoming discouraged by others’ apparently lofty successes. “There’s a tendency to tell the narrative like everything they did led up to that place, like they aimed there,” he says. “I think that’s rare.”

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Book Review

BY JANET REYNOLDS

What’s Your

SECOND ACT? Inspiring stories and tips from actress Patricia Heaton

any of you may know Patricia Heaton from her days as Debra Barone, the beleaguered and bemused wife of Ray Barone in Everybody Loves Raymond. Or maybe you were a fan of her role as Frankie Heck on The Middle. But Heaton is much more than an award-winning actress. She is also a bestselling author of Your Second Act, Inspiring Stories of Reinvention, her third book and, yes, part of her second act. The book is inspired in part by Heaton’s own life. Her four children had left the nest and she realized she could look at her professional life differently. She could take on new projects and take charge of her life with more independence. She co-founded a production company with her husband, became an executive producer, and focused on philanthropy as a co-founder of World Vision’s Celebrity Ambassador Network. Being the star of the short-lived sitcom, Carol’s Second Act, got Heaton thinking about second acts in general and how people take these steps. Your Second Act is the result. Part workbook, part inspirational stories, the book includes tips from Heaton about how she made changes in her life as well as suggestions for steps readers can take to explore their next opportunities. “My greatest desire for this project is to empower you on the next

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steps of your journey in this life,” she writes, “to find meaning, purpose, hope and fulfillment on the adventure that awaits you—the adventure of that is Your Second Act.” While it would have been easy as a celebrity to focus on the rich and famous who have pivoted, part of the appeal of Heaton’s book is that she focuses on just plain folks. We meet Liz Smothers, owner and founder of the Julian Pie Company whose pies have been touted on the Food Network as among the best in California. Smothers, whose pies are distributed in 135 stores, started baking pies for a small bakery owned by a blind couple. Soon she was being recruited by other restaurants. Then a man came in from Costco and told her how much he loved her pies and that he wanted to sell them in his store. She decided to take the leap and a business was born. Lisa Johnson was a single mother of four children (adding this better modifies ‘them’ a few words later), one of them with special needs, who turned her work as a nurse on the night shift into a medical staffing company. Mike Monteleone was a carpet salesman in his 50s when he started acting at his local community theater. Now in his 80s, he has made TV commercials and been on shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Parks and Recreation. After each first-person story, Heaton interviews the storyteller, asking them for tips and suggestions. She follows that Q&A section with Patty’s Points, where she offers her takeaways from that particular story. From the Smothers’ piece, she advises readers to “pursue what sparks joy” and to recognize that ”you don’t have to have it all figured out before you start.” Each section concludes with a series of what Heaton calls reflection questions, questions that can help a reader think further about what they might do next. Following Johnson’s story, for instance, Heaton asks readers to write about this: “Lisa talked about the importance of changing your own thoughts about yourself. What do you think about yourself? What thoughts do you need to change?” Your Second Act concludes with more tips on steps readers can take to at least begin inching toward their next opportunity. “The journey,” Heaton reminds us, “isn’t just about your destination, but about everything that happens along the way—what you learn, who you meet, and how you change or change others.” Your Second Act, Inspiring Stories of Reinvention, by Patricia Heaton, Simon & Schuster, 250 pages.

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Travel

BY SHERYL NANCE-NASH

Like a

The U.S. Virgin Islands offer something for everyone

et’s get this out of the way: there is no bad choice. When it comes to the U.S. Virgin Islands—St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John, and the lesser-known Water Island—you can’t go wrong. It’s more about playing a bit of a dating game. What island satisfies your interests best? Now is a good time to visit the USVI. As American territories, the U.S. Virgin Islands fall under American jurisdiction, which means you don’t need a passport, an obvious plus for ease of travel in these uncertain times. Of course, you want to be aware of whatever protocols may be in place and check their travel guidelines. But first things first. How to choose where you want to spend your vacation? Here’s some intel that can help you make up your mind.

55+ Living | Fall 2021

Trunk Bay, St. John.

FIND YOUR HAPPY PLACE IN NATURE

ST. JOHN

St. John may be smaller than St. Croix and St. Thomas, but it delivers big time for active nature lovers. Two-thirds of the island is a U.S. protected national park with nearly 10,000 acres of hilly green land and an underwater reserve. Take your pick of fun, from beaches, hiking trails and snorkeling to exploring the ruins of the Annaberg Plantation and the Reef Bay Trail or a hiking trail with sugar mill ruins and petroglyphs that go back to the Taino Indians. If you don’t go home bragging about your time in Trunk Bay with its white coral sand, clear waters, and snorkeling trail, you’ll lose all cred as a savvy traveler. Also popular are the Catherineberg Ruins and the Cinnamon Bay Nature Loop Trail. Mountain biking and horseback riding are other outdoor activities. St. John may have a more laid back, hipster vibe than the other islands but that doesn’t mean it’s missing great food. Cruz Bay, the epicenter of St. John, is home to a slew of restaurants. The Longboard is a favorite with its fresh, local ingredients, light, healthy bites, creative cocktails and yes, musthave drink called the Painkiller. The name says it all. Also worth a visit is Lime Out, the island’s famous floating taco bar. Drifter’s Tiki Bar offers live entertainment, curry chicken and mac and cheese, while Shambles is a go-to for specialty cocktails, sandwiches, pizzas and burgers.

St. John’s has some unique accommodations as well. Estate Lindholm, originally settled in the 1720s by Dutch planters, is a tropical inn among restored Danish ruins adjacent to the Virgin Islands National Park. If you’re thinking high-end, Gallows Point Resort is on a five-acre tropical peninsula, with panoramic views of the island from a private oceanfront locale.

GET YOUR CULTURAL FIX

ST. CROIX

St. Croix is the largest of the islands and perfect for people looking for a bit of local culture on their vacation. The past is present in the architecture, landmarks and national parks, as well as in the music, traditions and cuisine of the local Crucians. For sure you’ll want to take a food tour, shop for handcrafted goods and jewelry made by St. Croix’s artists. History lovers won’t want to miss Fort Frederik and Fort Christiansvaern. Interested in underwater life? Buck Island Reef National Monument offers tropical dry and manchineel beach forests, beaches, and rocky shores. The area includes endangered and threatened species such as hawksbill and loggerhead sea turtles. Snorkel the coral grottoes, scuba dive, bird watch or have a picnic. For a uniquely St. Croix water experience, kayak the

Crucian local band with culture style instruments performing on stage in St. Croix.

Loggerhead sea turtle swims in the clear turquoise tropical water of St. Croix.

Fall 2021 | 55pluslivingguide.com

bioluminescent bay at Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve. Want an experience that’s more airborne? Zip through the rainforest, including Carambola Valley, at Carambola Zipline. The golfer in your crew won’t want to miss the Carambola Golf Course, a Robert Trent Jones Sr. championship golf course. For brunch and breakfast the goto spot is Caroline’s in the historic King Christian Hotel which overlooks Christiansted. Foodies won’t want to miss Salt Great Pond, with its epic views and creative cuisine, including shrimp and ham mac n’ cheese made with elbow pasta and gruyere mornay, and featuring an herb, bacon and panko crust. Looking for a private adults-only place to stay? The Fred, a 23-room, boutique beach resort has a spa, pool and more. For additional luxury, consider the 340-acre Buccaneer Hotel, home to an 18-hole golf course, eight tennis courts, three beaches, two pools, water sports center, full-service spa, fitness center, three restaurants, shopping arcade and more.

COSMOPOLITAN CHIC

ST. THOMAS

St. Thomas is the spot for the party people, the sophisticated, the cosmopolitan crowd. As home to Charlotte Amalie, the capital of the USVI, St. Thomas offers a mix of restaurants, duty-free shopping, and nightlife. There are new spots like Bluebeards, an open-air restaurant with a deck that has awe-inspiring views of Long Bay’s yacht harbor, and Twistt 340, a Caribbean cuisine restaurant in Yacht Haven Grande. Its specialty is the “twist” it puts on tradition, such as honey-drizzled johnny cakes and pate trios. Red Hook is a hot spot, with a new fine dining restaurant called 3 Psalms VI that overlooks the Marina at American Yacht Harbor. Feast on seafood and prime meats and enjoy craft cocktails. St. Thomas also has a serene side. The mountainous island has miles of white sand beaches, green rolling hills and flora. Snorkeling at Coki Beach is popular. Coral World Ocean Park in St. Thomas offers dolphin and sea lion experiences as well as SNUBA (a cross between snorkeling and scuba diving), SeaTREK (an underwater guided walk on the ocean’s floor) as well as other fun, educational activities. History buffs will want to check out Fort Christian and Blackbeard’s Castle.

55+ Living | Fall 2021

The historic 99 steps in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas.

An aerial view of St. Thomas.

The options of where to stay include the Margaritaville Vacation Club by Wyndham and Mafolie Hotel & Restaurant with its views of Charlotte Amalie and the harbor. Want to take things up another notch? Consider the Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas. Fabulous views of Great Bay, locally sourced cuisine, a luxury catamaran for sunset cruises, snorkeling tours and private events, as well as a renovated Club Lounge with updated culinary offerings and marine-inspired décor are just part of the attraction. Set sail on one of the property’s three luxury sailing catamarans. The Lady Lynsey II is an exquisite 60-ft vessel that offers island-hopping excursions, snorkeling tours, champagne sunset sails.

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WATER ISLAND

Chances are you didn’t even know there was a fourth Virgin Island. Water Island is a small residential island, just 491 acres with fewer than 200 residents. If you’re looking for an uncrowded, relaxed getaway, this one's for you. A half-mile off the coast of St. Thomas, Water Island is accessible by a seven-minute ferry ride. Spend time on the beach, kayak, fish, boat, hike around the island and explore the remains of military fortifications. There are movie nights on the beach. For lunch head to Dinghy’s Beach Bar & Grill or Heidi’s Honeymoon Grill, for fish, burgers, sandwiches and cocktails. Don’t look for mega resorts here. Instead think private villas, cottages or apartments.

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Fall 2021 | 55pluslivingguide.com

BY JOANNE CLEAVER

Road Tripping to the Brimfield Antique Flea Market

OH, THE TREASURES YOU’LL FIND

Travel

55+ Living | Fall 2021

painted blue eye as big as a dinner plate and set in a black oval frame watched visitors from all over stream down the road to the fields and tents of the Brimfield Antique Flea Market in nearby Brimfield, Mass. They... ...came looking for the one-of-a-kind and the dozens of one kind. ...wanted raw potential and freshly updated. ...wanted conversation starters and conversation stoppers. ...wanted what they didn’t know they wanted until they saw it. And they knew that to find it, they had to look, poke, peer and prod into every corner of every display of every vendor at this sprawling, threetimes-a-year market of old things—old things made into new things, and new things made to look like old things.

4 A reclining plaster Buddha draped with antique glass beads. A concrete swan planter. A chorus line of red plastic Christmas choir lawn ornaments. For 37 years, the curious seeking the curious have descended on tiny Brimfield. For the 49 weeks of the year the flea market is not in session, Brimfield is a typically picturesque New England town, replete with white clapboard churches and primly shuttered pre-Colonial houses: exactly what you’d expect from a town established in 1731. But during the three weeks of the fair—held in May, July and September—the town becomes a campground of the odd, the obsolete and the irresistibly opportune. 4 Pointed metal thimbles labeled “European potato diggers.” A quilt of faded blue and green patchwork. A quiver of yardsticks sprouting from a brown pottery crock. Judith Lesser is a regular vendor at the fair. Every year, she drives up from Maryland with a car full of treasures gleaned from local estate and garage sales. In July 2021, in the cool shade of an open-sided barn, she arranged a still life of blue and white vintage textiles over a wood rack. Two woven runners, a blue and white patchwork quilt, and a tablecloth hopscotched with loopy embroidered flowers. How does she know what will sell? “I guess,” she says. 4 A trio of glossy metal victrola horns blooming like giant morning glories. A school of new cast iron hooks in the shape of 19th century mermaids. A cluster of upended golf clubs peering out of a bag like a mob of meerkats. The fair is a dig and a jumble and a crazy aunt’s closet-cleaning all in one — exactly as planned. Continued on page 34

Fall 2021 | 55pluslivingguide.com

BRIMFIELD, Continued from page 32 About 37 years ago, John Doldoorian’s mother, Marie, had a notion to turn the run-ofthe-mill antique mall inside-out and invite the public to come. By allowing only vintage and antique furniture, china, jewelry, home furnishings, sporting goods and miscellanea—“no tube socks here,” says Doldoorian—she crafted the show’s appeal. John Doldoorian ran the show with his mother, now 85, until he retired from teaching and took over so that she could retire from show management. 4 A five- foot- tall concrete cat. A cascade of geometric-printed silk neckties. A bamboo birdcage. Mary Chrostowski is another vendor at the fair. Today’s young homeowners don’t want their grandparents’ brown wood furniture, so Chrostowski paints furniture colors designed to blend with almost any type of décor: barn red, dusty blue, sunflower yellow and always, barely off white. Chrostowski and her husband, Roger, of Chelmsford, Mass., pick up the unpopular brown furniture for a song at estate, moving and garage sales, and give it a new life. “A solid walnut piece with a marble top and acorn handles — nobody on God’s green earth would have bought it the way it was,” says Chrostowski. “I bought outdoor paint, because it seals the wood. I sanded it and painted it gray, and with the white marble top, it was phenomenal.” And a lot more expensive. She paid $100 for the dresser, paint and sandpaper but expected it to sell for $400. Is it worth it? Yes, to keep busy, says Chrostowski, 71, and to give sturdy old pieces a new life with owners who otherwise couldn’t afford the quality and craftsmanship of old furniture. “People love vintage chairs with beautiful carving but they don’t want them with dirty, stinky fabric. I reupholster them with fabric prints with Marilyn Monroe on the back of the chair, so it shows in the room, and I put black and white stripes on the seat and cushions. People love it.” “It’s how you can transform what once was, into something that people are looking for today,” Chrostowski says. “The whole antiques world is nothing but a transformation.” PHOTOS BY JOANNE CLEAVER

55+ Living | Fall 2021

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

he Brimfield Antique Flea Market is a “show of shows” that lines Rt. 20 in Brimfield, Mass. for roughly a mile. Think of Rt. 20 as the spine with aisles of tents and barns stretching out from it like a centipede’s legs. Here are some details if you’ve never been: • For GPS purposes, enter “21 Main St., Brimfield, MA.” • Parking is plentiful and costs from $5 to $10 per vehicle. Expect to park in paved church and school lots and in fields. • Each fair lasts for about a week. Check the fair’s website, https://thebrimfieldshow.com/, for details on specialty vendors that exhibit for only a day or two. • If you are rendezvousing with friends, agree in advance on specific coordinates. “See you at the show” is not a coordinate. A good rendezvous point is the Apple Barn Café, 52 Palmer Rd., Brimfield, (413) 245-4575. The café is set back from the road, but its sign pops above tents and banners. Excellent coffee, homemade pastries and sandwiches and indoor seating make for a welcome respite from the jostling crowd. • Planted on fields and parking lots, vendor displays are on uneven ground. Visitors walk along the shoulder of the road from one aisle of vendor exhibits to the next. Wear sturdy walking shoes and expect to navigate gravel and fields as well as paved surfaces. • If you anticipate buying large or bulky items such as baskets, bring a wagon. • If you are looking for fragile items such as china, bring your own bubble wrap, tape, small boxes and shopping bags to safely convey your finds home. • Bring cash and lots of it. Vendors expect to bargain, at least a bit, and many accept only cash. • Food stalls offer plenty of popcorn, sandwiches, water and other drinks. Seating for snacks and lunch is very limited. • Temporary outside toilets are located every block or so. Do not expect to use indoor bathroom facilities even at restaurants and institutions offering parking.

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The Voice of Patients

Although still relatively new, TMS has been shown to improve depression symptoms, often times making them go away completely. Pinnacle’s Laura McMahon, MD, who is certified in both adult and child and adolescent psychiatry, has been impressed with how positively patients who have gone through TMS talk about the experience. “They really like it. Once they get over the anxiety of the first day, a lot of them have a hard time graduating,” she said. “They like the environment so much that they miss it. We make sure they have a great experience when they are here, but they definitely improve and we hear about that all the time.” Jay Hamer, PhD, a psychologist at Pinnacle, is in charge of interviewing every single person when they finish their TMS program and has learned a great deal from his exit interviews. “Everyone is unique, and their stories are different, but what I hear from patients all the time is that ‘this is a life saver’ and a ‘life changer” and they forgot what it feels like not to be depressed,” he said. “Many patients come in feeling as if they are going to go to their grave feeling awful and hopeless about life, but TMS takes those feelings away.” From the data collected, Dr. Hamer has recorded 35% of respondents saying the treatment is life chang

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ing and have seen an almost complete remission of symptoms, while as many as 90% have said they’ve experienced a very meaningful change. It’s less than 5% who feel as if TMS didn’t help in a significant way. “Almost universally, people see meaningful benefits,” he said. “The point where people notice they are getting better is widely variable. There are some that say they were feeling better after a few sessions, some after half way, some that noticed a change once it finished.” Sean Chappin, MD, a psychiatrist at Pinnacle Behavioral Health, said he encourages clients to continue doing talk therapy and be in regular contact during and after treatment. “It has a high success rate but it’s not 100 percent. We want to be sure that if someone starts backsliding into the depression symptoms, we have a treatment team in place to catch that as quickly as possible,” he said. “Patients appreciate that and we’ve seen a lot of people come around to TMS.”

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55+ Living | Fall 2021

Be Your Best

BY BENITA ZAHN

Get Up and Go

How to get back into exercising

was talking with a college friend recently who was bemoaning the fact that she’s no longer as active as she had been. Once an avid cyclist and somewhat dedicated runner, she had been sidelined by the vagaries of age. It started with a balky knee that needed to be scoped and then she just fell out of the routine. So how to get back into the swing of things, she asked.

She’s taken the first step—interest. You can’t get off the couch if you don’t care to. So give yourself props for contemplating lacing up those sneakers again and digging out the workout clothing. Next step, get real. Much as you’d like to be able to crush a 7-minute mile like the old days, the key now is adapting to what you can reasonably do. Fact: our ability changes as we age.

Step 2: “Prep the canvas” as Certified Health

Coach and longtime trainer Judy Torel says. Start with a gentle stretching routine. The goal is to get flexibility back into your muscles. She calls this “dynamic limbering.” And be patient. You didn’t achieve your “level of relaxation” overnight so don’t expect to be back in the game overnight. Once you’re comfortable moving again—and that should take 4-6 weeks—add cardio and weights. If you jump into that too soon, you risk injury. Recovery time increases along with age. As strength and weight management specialist Jeanine Trimboli points out, be alert to signs of overtraining. If you’re experiencing muscle soreness beyond 48 hours, if your sleep is impaired and your new routine doesn’t bring you joy, back off. These are signs you’re doing too much. Your workout should make you feel better. If it doesn’t you won’t continue.

Step 3: Pick your activity. Craft a plan that suits

you. If it’s biking, make sure your bicycle and helmet are still in good condition. Make the investment so the activity is fun. Does the lure of running still call? Check out a Couch-to-5K program. They’re tried and true

and will push you just enough. After you’ve “crushed” that, you might want to sign up for a local 5K road race. These events are great to connect with others and support local organizations. If running isn’t in your wheelhouse, embrace walking. The benefits are similar. You’ll see improvement in cardiac function and get an energy boost. Walking also helps to keep your weight in check, improves sleep and helps keep your bones strong. The recommendation is 30 minutes a day. Start with 10-minute walks, adding additional 10 minute sessions as you build to a continuous 30 minutes of walking. There are a host of walking apps to track your distance, heart rate, calorie burn and more. You may also look for a walking group in your community to help keep you motivated. One of my favorite workouts is swimming. The water’s buoyancy is kind to creaky joints. Even if you can’t swim, you can enjoy activities in the pool like water aerobics. A lady friend of mine swears it’s helped her trim down and tone up, surpassing her physical fitness of 25 years ago.

Step 4:

Build strength. Weight training isn’t about bulging muscles. As trainer Derek Gelato points out, we need strength to get us off the couch, to dance with loved ones, to carry groceries. And yes, the research is definitive: you can build muscle at any age. Working with 3 or 5 pound weights is a good place to start. Remember, it’s not what you did back “then.” It’s what you are doing now.

Benita Zahn is a certified health and wellness coach working in the Capital Region.

benitahealthcoach.com

Fall 2021 | 55pluslivingguide.com

Home & Garden

BY BRIANNA SNYDER

KITCHEN

Upgrades

What’s trending in kitchen design right now

Bigger can be better when it comes to kitchen islands. Eva Anderson of Teakwood Builders designed this kitchen.

aving a space that is both comfortable and inviting, as well as utilitarian, is just one reason to consider upgrading your kitchen to better fit your needs. Afterall, who wants to spend time in a space that doesn’t work or isn’t beautiful? We asked a couple of Capital Region designers for their top tips on kitchen upgrades you can make today. First suggestion? Make a Pinterest board. If you have one, you already know. If you don’t have one (or don’t use Pinterest), here’s what you’ll find: pages and pages of kitchen-design inspiration to curate into your own master vision for your kitchen. Do you want a two-island Nancy Myers extravaganza? Or do you like that Pioneer Woman country-kitchen look? “I am always asked by my clients if I think something they like is ‘trendy,’” says Andrea Langford of Andrea Langford Designs in Clifton Park. “They want to stay away from ‘trendy’ but at the same time have an

55+ Living | Fall 2021

up-to-date look. They want a design that will last and not go out of style in a couple of years.” Amy Paigo, a kitchen and bathroom designer at Teakwood Builders Inc. in Saratoga Springs, says Pinterest has a major influence on what her clients have been asking for recently. Here are Paigo’s and Langford’s top tips for changes you can make to your kitchen .

ISLANDS, ISLANDS, ISLANDS

Over the last half-century, the kitchen has become much more than a place to prepare food. It’s the entertainment space, the gathering space, the social space. That’s generated extra demand for islands—bigger islands, even multiple islands, Paigo says. “I’ve had a lot of people want something that’s challenging for the size of one island, so then you have to break them up into two,” she says. “One for using and one for entertaining.”

LIGHTS UP

For lighting consider hidden lights like the ones pictured here over the sink. If “open” lights are appealing, think about stand-out fixtures like the ones over this island.

“Hopefully heading out is the ‘Edison’ lamp in so many light fixtures,” Langford says. “The exposed light bulb is growing old. It was being applied everywhere and especially where it shouldn’t be, like at the vanity and over the kitchen island. From my perspective as a designer whose client’s wellbeing is important and might be of a certain age, the exposed light bulb is very harsh on the eye. They create glare, which is very unpleasant.” Paigo also adds that lighting is improving and changing. Many of Paigo’s clients are asking for interior cabinet lighting, integrating it into the side walls. “That’s also good for people who are getting older,” she says. “It kinda highlights the whole cabinet.”

HIDING SPOTS “One other thing I've done a lot lately is retractable doors,” Paigo says. “You make a really large cabinet so you can store appliances and then close the doors so you can hide them. It looks nice. It’s neat that you can throw [your appliances] behind closed doors.” Langford also talked about hiding big appliances. For example: microwave drawers. “We can put the microwave where we really need it or want it,” she says, “instead of over the range. Also, microwave drawers are easier and safer.” Paigo says another popular installation is a docking drawer, where you can charge your phone in a hidden spot.

Incorporating black into your kitchen can make a dramatic statement.

STAY TRUE TO YOURSELF “Be true to the style you like,” Langford says. “The opposite of trendy is classic. There are thousands of choices and combinations of materials and finishes, so stay true to what you like. Pay attention to the style of your home and how you live in it.” Functional design is classic design. “If you go with what you love, it doesn’t get old. If it makes you feel good and comfortable, then go for it,” Langford says. “If a design choice really makes you uncomfortable, don’t do it. It’s your home.”

PHOTOS COURTESY TEAKWOOD BUILDERS

MIXING TONES

“White is still classic,” Paigo says. But mixing colors—a triple tone—is very in now. For example, a white perimeter, a jewel-toned island, and warm, wood material: “People love that,” she says. “I’ve done six black kitchens,” Paigo continues. “They accent with brass and white countertops and a white backsplash. So it’s really a dramatic effect.” Paint is one of those easy things to be on trend with, of course, because changing shades and tones is fairly easy and inexpensive.

Fall 2021 | 55pluslivingguide.com

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55+ Living | Fall 2021

Health & Wellness

BY CARI SCRIBNER

WHAT A PAIN Tips and strategies for alleviating arthritis symptoms

he many aches and pains of growing older can range from minor back aches to sore muscles, or they could be something more serious. They could be a sign of arthritis. Arthritis is an umbrella term for dozens of forms of joint pain or disease. According to the Arthritis Foundation, over 100 types of arthritis and related conditions afflict more than 50 million adults in the United States. It is most common among women and occurs more frequently as we age. The good news is we are learning more about this challenging disease all the time. “As time has progressed, there is more awareness about arthritis,” says Rainbow Doemel, upstate New York associate director of the Arthritis Foundation. “We’ve brought it to the forefront as a major public health issue.” Unlike a sudden injury, arthritis creeps in. The first warning sign is often stiffness. This typically happens after long periods of sitting or when waking up in the morning. If you feel like the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz who needs oil in his joints when you get out of bed, that soreness and stiffness may be arthritis. Other symptoms include swelling, pain and decreased range of motion in the joints. These symptoms can range from mild to severe. If they result in chronic pain, it could make everyday activities such as climbing

stairs or getting up out of a chair a challenge. Experts advise seeing your doctor right away if you have these symptoms. If they suspect arthritis, they will do tests such as checking the range of motion in your joints, looking for swelling, and tracking when and how long your pain lasts. Your physician may recommend taking medications that have been shown to diminish pain, swelling, and inflammation. While medications aren’t the only treatment option available for arthritis, they’re often a go-to for managing pain. These can include: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). These include over-the-counter meds such as aspirin, naproxen and ibuprofen. NSAIDS are also available by prescription; two common brand names are Celebrex and Vioxx. Corticosteroids. These steroid medications work against the body’s immune system to help reduce inflammation and are prescribed for autoimmune arthritis conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. Biologic Medications for Arthritis, made with organic molecules. These are the newest arthritis medicines out there today. You may have seen some of them, such as Humira, advertised in magazines. These meds are given by injection. Continued on page 46 Fall 2021 | 55pluslivingguide.com

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55+ Living | Fall 2021

ARTHRITIS, Continued from page 45 Topical gels. These gels work by stimulating sensory nerve endings to reduce pain signals in the nervous system. While these conventional treatments may control inflammation and slow the progression of your arthritis, other therapies can complement these medications. Physical therapy, for instance, may be an excellent option for reducing strain and gradually building up strength. Alyssa Lee, a physical therapist at Thomas Nicolla Physical Therapy in Albany, says many of their patients are seeking relief from arthritis pain. Some of the exercises are done with the help of buoyancy. “Our aquatic therapy pool is a great place to improve range of motion,” Lee says. “Water supports body weight and makes people more mobile. It can make a huge difference.” Physical therapists may also recommend canes, braces and splints to support joints and shoe inserts to relieve stress on the lower extremities. Acupuncture is a form of Chinese medicine involving placing thin, small needles painlessly through the skin at specific pressure points on the body. It can stimulate nerves, improve blood flow and activate the body’s natural painkillers. (For more on acupuncture, check out the story from our summer issue on our website.) Angela Stritt practices at North Country Acupuncture in Clifton Park. Stritt says she has many patients seeking relief from various types of arthritis, and the results can be remarkable. “Certainly everyone is different, but I’ve had patients come in with pain and walk out feeling amazing,” Stritt says. “The question is, how long will it last?” Patients with severe symptoms may need acupuncture treatments two days a week. After that, if the pain is reduced, they see Stritt on an as-needed basis. Dorothy LaCombe of Clifton Park is the first Nurse Practitioner to open a rheumatology practice in New York State. LaCombe says various supplements can help manage pain, including glucosamine, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, and tart cherry juice. She also talks to her patients about what they’re eating and how much they exercise. “Diet and movement are everything,” LaCombe says. “Watch your intake of sugar, gluten and dairy.” Reducing stress can also help manage arthritis pain, according to LaCombe. “Exercise, meditate, find a support system,” LaCombe says. “Let’s try to address all your stress-related symptoms.”

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Lifestyle

BY REBECCA GATTO

THE JOY OF DOWNSIZING Not sure where to begin? Local experts offer their top tips

eople hate to move. Year after year, pollsters come up with increasingly inventive questions to prove it. Thirteen percent of respondents to one 2019 survey said they’d rather spend a little time in jail—jail!—than pack up their belongings and schlep them to a new place. Americans consistently rate moving to a new home as one of the most stressful life events a person can face, worse than divorce, job interviews, and wedding planning. And yet, relocating has its perks. With a slight shift in mindset, moving can offer a clean slate, an opportunity to tidy up, and a chance to take stock of both possessions and priorities. It helps to know how to begin. Sheilah Sable, owner of Call Sheilah!, has been helping people find their

55+ Living | Fall 2021

footing for six years as a move-in, move-out specialist and concierge. First, she says, make some space. “It doesn’t matter where we start, but we have to create a dance floor, a staging area,” Sable said. The living room floor, a dining room table, a home office: any space can become a command center for your move, preventing feelings of being overwhelmed and helping to create a sense of control. Michelle Kavanaugh, owner of Organizing Senior Moves, suggests people start small. A junk drawer is a great place to begin. While it’s often tempting to tackle the big messes first, that approach is a recipe for burnout or even injury. “By taking it one step at a time, you’re more focused on who you are and what you need,” Kavanaugh says. Another helpful approach is to collect similar items and group them together. Whether it’s coffee mugs, cleaning supplies, or black dress pants, it’s tough to organize anything without taking inventory first. The hard part, of course, is choosing just a couple of favorites in each category. Most people don’t need more than one or two favorite coffee mugs, and parting with the items that don’t make the cut will conserve time, money, and energy. Both moving specialists emphasized the emotional drain that can accompany the Herculean task of sorting, packing, and moving a lifetime’s worth of stuff. Sable says women, especially, can struggle with shame and a sense that they should be able to do the job by themselves. “Asking for help is a spiritual act,” Sable says. “You don’t have to do this alone.” In fact, Sable specifically includes emotional support as part of her services. Clients can text her when they find themselves needing a pep talk. Sometimes, they find a little encouragement helps even more than an extra set of hands to pack and carry boxes. Kavanaugh says it’s her policy never to ask anyone to get rid of photos, and to help people get rid of as much or as little as they want. “Our houses become homes,

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filled with stuff from memories and experiences,” she says. “Our things make us who we are. I have a lot of respect for that.” Working in finite shifts can help manage the emotional and physical strain of moving. At Organizing Senior Moves, working sessions are never longer than four hours per day with a lunch break in the middle. Anything more, they’ve found, leaves clients feeling drained. Especially for seniors, pushing too hard physically can lead to falls or even heart attacks. Every move is different, and some people have an easy time walking away from items that have accumulated over the years. But for nostalgic types, both experts suggest finding ways to honor and acknowledge favorite possessions. Sable suggests photographing beloved, but functionally useless items, like worn-out clothing. Creating a scrapbook pays tribute to the objects that brought delight and comfort without weighing down their owner. Kavanaugh recommends donating items that won’t have a place in a new home but that are still useful. She’s even filled her van and helped clients deliver furniture and other goods directly to people who wanted it. Her company also collects vases for hospice care. Both Kavanaugh and Sable specialize in managing not just precious possessions, but the memories that are inevitably attached to them. The key, they’ve learned, is to have faith in the process. As Kavanaugh often reminds her clients, “You bought this house. You made it a home. We can take these items and help you make a new home.”

9/9/21

2:55 PM

CMY

TOP TIPS: “I believe in a visual solution.” — Michelle Kavanaugh Choose one room and go through all the cabinets and drawers, one at a time. As you finish each minitask, place a sticky note nearby with a smiley face or the word “done.”

“If your kids are thriving, start charging them for storage.” — Sheilah Sable Many parents of adult children get bogged down in their kids’ possessions. If your kids aren’t struggling, charge them a storage fee and kindly set a deadline for them to remove their things.

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Soup’s On Food & Drink

RECIPES COURTESY OF AMERICA'S TEST KITCHEN

Hearty soups and chowders perfect for fall

Continued on page 54

Fall 2021 | 55pluslivingguide.com

As the air gets cooler and crisper, we begin to turn inward a bit, preparing ourselves for the winter to come. What is more comforting than homemade soup? Add some fresh bread, perhaps a little cheese and salad, and you’ve got the perfect fall meal. Let the nesting begin.

Farmhouse Chicken Chowder Simple Chicken Broth with Corn, Poblano Chile and Cilantro

with Shredded Breast Meat

INGREDIENTS 4 oz. (about 4 slices) bacon, chopped 1 medium onion, minced 3 medium garlic cloves, minced or pressed through a garlic press (about 1 tablespoon) 1 tsp minced fresh thyme leaves or 1/4 tsp dried ⅓ cup unbleached all-purpose flour 8 cups simple chicken broth (see recipe to the right) 2 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes (about 4 medium), peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces 1 carrot, peeled and sliced 1/4 inch thick 1 poblano chile, stemmed, seeded, and chopped 1 ear corn, husk and silk removed, kernels cut from the cob. Frozen corn works too. 1 cup heavy cream 2 tbsp minced fresh cilantro Salt and ground black pepper to taste

This broth is quicker to make than our classic version and delivers a rich, golden broth and edible meat from water, an onion, and one chicken.

Serves 8

INSTRUCTIONS Cook bacon in Dutch oven over medium heat until crisp and rendered, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer half of the bacon to paper towel–lined plate. Add the onion to the bacon left in the pot and cook until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the garlic and thyme and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the broth, scraping up any browned bits and smoothing out any lumps. Stir in the potatoes and carrot and bring to a boil. Reduce to a gentle simmer and cook until the vegetables are nearly tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in the poblano chile and corn and continue to simmer gently until all of the vegetables are tender, 10 to 15 minutes longer. Stir in the cream and bring to a simmer. Stir in the shredded chicken and let it heat through, about 2 minutes. Off the heat, stir in the cilantro and season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle individual portions with the reserved bacon before serving.

About 8 cups broth with 2 cups cooked, shredded meat

INGREDIENTS 1 (3½- to 4-pound) whole chicken 1 tbsp vegetable oil 1 onion, chopped 8 cups water 2 tsp table salt 2 bay leaves INSTRUCTIONS Cut chicken into 7 pieces (1 breast split into 2 pieces, 2 legs, 2 wings, and backbone). Set breast halves aside and hack remaining parts into 2-inch pieces with meat cleaver. Heat oil in large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add chicken breasts and brown lightly, about 5 minutes. Transfer to plate. Add half of 2-inch chicken pieces and brown lightly, about 5 minutes; transfer pieces to large bowl. Repeat with remaining 2-inch chicken pieces; transfer to bowl. Add onion to fat left in pot and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Return chicken pieces (not breasts) to pot, along with any accumulated juices; cover and reduce heat to low. Cook, stirring occasionally, until chicken releases its juice, about 20 minutes. Add reserved chicken breasts, water, salt, and bay leaves and bring to boil. Cover, reduce to gentle simmer, and cook, skimming as needed, about 20 minutes. Remove chicken breasts from pot and let cool slightly. Remove and discard skin and bones, and shred breast meat into bite-size pieces. Strain broth through fine-mesh strainer, discarding solids. Let settle for 10 minutes, then skim off fat. (Broth and chicken can be refrigerated separately in airtight containers; broth can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 2 months, and chicken can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.)

Continued on page 56 55+ Living | Fall 2021

easy meal for two

mediterranean salmon

The Mediterranean Diet is famous for its heart health benefits. Our recipe for Mediterranean Baked Salmon balances the healthy fats of salmon and nuts with the plant benefits of leafy greens. Here's what you need:

Roll up your sleeves:

2 (4 oz.)

Salmon fillets (with uniform thickness)

1/4 cup

Cedar’s Taboule Salad

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.

1/4 cup

Planters NUT-rition Heart Healthy Mix, chopped

Lemon

McCormick® Coarse Ground Black Pepper 1

Fresh Express® CaesarLite Salad Kit

Nutritional Information (amount per serving): Calories 510 Total Fat 36 g Saturated Fat 5 g Cholesterol 70 mg Sodium 570 mg

Total Carbohydrate 17 g Fiber 5 g Total Sugar 3 g Added Sugar 1 g Protein 30 g

2. In a small bowl, mix together the taboule salad and chopped nuts. Slice lemon in half, and set one half aside for garnish. 3. Place fillets on baking sheet skin side down. Sprinkle with ground black pepper, and squeeze juice from half of lemon over fillets. Divide salad and nut mixture evenly between fillets and spread on top, pressing down lightly. 4. Bake for 10 minutes per inch of thickness, measured at thickest part, or until salmon just flakes when tested with a fork. Garnish with fresh sliced lemon. 5. Prepare Fresh Express® Lite Caesar Salad Kit according to package directions and serve alongside the salmon.

We’re committed to supporting your health and wellness goals. Our team of registered dietitians offer free nutritional services online and in-store.

MAKES 2 SERVINGS

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Red Lentil Soup

with North African Spices Serves 4 to 6

INGREDIENTS 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for serving 1 large onion, chopped fine 1 tsp table salt ¾ tsp ground coriander ½ tsp ground cumin ¼ tsp ground ginger ¼ tsp pepper ⅛ tsp ground cinnamon Pinch cayenne pepper 1 tbsp tomato paste 1 garlic clove, minced 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth, plus extra as needed 2 cups water 10½ oz (1½ cups) red lentils, picked over and rinsed 2 tbsp lemon juice, plus extra for seasoning ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

55+ Living | Fall 2021

INSTRUCTIONS Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat until simmering. Add onion and salt and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in coriander, cumin, ginger, pepper, cinnamon, and cayenne and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in broth, water, and lentils, bringing to a vigorous simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until lentils are soft and about half are broken down, about 15 minutes. Whisk soup vigorously until broken down to coarse puree, about 30 seconds. Adjust consistency with extra hot broth as needed. Stir in lemon juice and season with salt and extra lemon juice to taste. Sprinkle individual portions with cilantro and drizzle with extra oil before serving.

Sweet Potato Soup with Bacon and Chives Serves 4

INGREDIENTS 6 slices bacon, chopped 1 onion, chopped fine 1 tsp packed brown sugar Salt and pepper to taste 3 garlic cloves, minced 2 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled, quartered lengthwise,and sliced thin 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth 1 cup water 2 tbsp minced fresh chives INSTRUCTIONS Cook bacon in Dutch oven over medium heat until crisp, 6 to 8 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towel–lined plate; set aside. Discard all but 2 tablespoons of bacon fat from now-empty pot. Add onion, sugar,and 1 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in garlic, cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add potatoes, broth, and water and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes. Working in batches, process soup in blender until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve soup sprinkled with cheese and bacon bits For more recipes visit 55pluslivingguide.com

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55+ Living | Fall 2021

55+ Living Fall 2021

Articles inside

THE VINE

JOY RIDE

THE JOY OF DOWNSIZING

WHAT A PAIN

SOUP’S ON

KITCHEN UPGRADES

OH, THE TREASURES YOU’LL FIND

GET UP AND GO

LIKE A VIRGIN

WHAT’S YOUR SECOND ACT?