50 Plus

A guide to good living in the Brazos Valley

Inside...

Mental health

Don’t let guilt steal your life

Pg. 4

Romance

Dating after 50

Pg. 8

February 2015 • Vol. 13, Issue 3 • A monthly publication of the Bryan-College Station Eagle

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CONTENTS

Erika Liesman

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Mental health: Don’t let guilt steal your life

Dating: Dating after 50

8

Physical therapy: Ways to help improve health 5

Valentine’s Day: Romantic films to watch

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Feature: Tips for getting heart healthy

Calendar: Local events

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Gray divorce: An obstacle to retirement

Over the past two decades, the gray divorce rate has doubled for married couples age 50 and older. For couples older than 65, the divorce rate has more than doubled. More than 55 percent of gray divorces involve couples married for more than 20 years. This includes college-educated couples, usually considered to have more secure marriages. These statistics are from the 2012 report out of the National Center for Family & Marriage Research at Bowling Green University in Ohio, by Susan L. Brown, professor and chair of the Sociology Department there.

This past October, she updated some of the information from TraCy STewarT the 2012 report. I FiNaNcial liTeracy cover some of that in this article.

Dr. Brown points out that there are more working women in this generation than in prior generations.

These women are more financially independent and more likely to have the financial resources to leave the marriage. Additionally, studies show that couples now want more from their marriages than they did years ago. Individuals currently in their 60s will live into their 80s. With so many more divorces, there are more single divorcees around, which means there is a greater chance of meeting a new partner. Online dating is surging in

this generation of older divorcees.

Big changes ahead A gray divorce is especially perilous because the couple is at or near the end of their wealth accumulation stage. Divorce forces an unraveling and reconstructing of retirement assets. Plans can become complex and nerve wracking for spouses going through the emotional turmoil of divorce. Money is a highly charged emotional topic. Individuals will need to establish new dreams and goals, which are affected by financial resources available. (The Collaborative Law divorce process focuses on helping the spouses create and get started on their new goals.) As they go through the divorce process, they will need to be flexible when considering how to fund their changed dreams because their estimations of post-divorce resources will probably change as the couple moves through their divorce. Meeting with a levelheaded financial planner is strongly recommended before, during and after a divorce.

Each partner will probably end up with a different financial situation than existed prior to the divorce. If the savings accounts survive at all, they may have been significantly tapped to pay for the divorce. Each person may need to ramp up their savings and retirement contributions to restore a sense of financial security. According to Dr. Brown “older adults are unlikely

to recoup financial losses associated with divorce, and this is particularly true for women who were out of the labor force for decades … Although for some older adults a gray divorce may be liberating, for others who are less advantaged, it is a devastating experience with long-term negative consequences for their own lives and for society as a whole.”

Learn fast Couples can negotiate and agree on a division of retirement accounts, or they can let the court do that.

Regardless, once the split is settled, they are stuck with their choices except in very rare cases. So, make it a good one. Before making any agreements, couples need to learn about their retirement assets and their options.

• Know how much money will come and when, now and in the future.

• Do not use retirement funds to pay for any divorce costs. Beg, borrow or steal. Well, OK, don’t steal, but you get the picture. People who borrow from their retirement rarely pay it back.

• When you cash out a chunk of a retirement account, you will have to pay income tax. If you are younger than 59 ½ you are also looking at a 10 percent early withdrawal penalty.

(There are some exceptions, but they probably won’t fit your flash cash situation.)

• Understand whether there are

survivor benefits in the pension plan. If there are any, attorneys can negotiate for them. Getting retirement benefits on a former spouse’s retirement plan while that former spouse is alive is one thing. What happens to that money stream if he/she dies first?

• Gain an understanding of Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDRO). Check my website for blog posts or articles on QDROs at www.

TexasDivorce CPA.com. Make certain you have a qualified professional preparing the QDRO. To ensure proper transfer of retirement funds, stay on top of the status of the QDRO processing. I cannot emphasize enough how crucial this is.

The smart people ask for help As a banker recently said to me, “I don’t expect my plumber to do my banking, and I am not a plumber.”

Couples going through divorce should seek professional financial advice.

Divorce financial planners will see couples together or individually. There are many critical gotchas and details in the financial aspect of divorce that can have powerful impacts on future wealth and financial security. Don’t be penny wise and pound foolish. Seek expert advice.

Contact Tracy B. Stewart, CPA, PFS, CFF, CDFA, CFP® through her blog at www.TexasDivorceFinance.com.

Music effects on cognitive function of the elderly

Whether the music is orchestral, rock, country or jazz, most seniors like to listen to some kind of music. Music can soothe or energize, make us happy or sad, but the kind we like to hear does something that can be positively reinforcing or otherwise we would not listen to it. As my 80-yeardr. BILL KLeMM old jazz trumpeter friend, Richard Phelps, THe MeMory MeDic recently said at his birthday party, “Where there is life, there is music. Where there is music, there is life.”

Relatively little research has been T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

done on the effects of music on brain function in older people. But one study recently reported the effects in older adults of background music on brain processing speed and two kinds of memory (episodic and semantic). The subjects were not musicians and had an average age of 69 years.

The music test conditions were: 1) no music control, 2) white noise control, 3) a Mozart recording and 4) a Mahler recording. All 65 subjects were tested in counter-balanced order in all four categories. The music was played at modest volume as background before and during performance of the cognitive tasks, a mental processing speed task and the two memory

tasks. The episodic memory task involved trying to recall a list of 15 words immediately after a two-minute study period. The semantic memory task involved word fluency in which subjects wrote as many words as they could think of beginning with three letters of the alphabet.

Processing speed performance was faster while listening to Mozart than with the Mahler or white noise conditions. No improvement in the Mahler condition was seen over white noise or no music.

Episodic memory performance was better when listening to either type of music than while hearing white noise or no music. No difference was noted

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between the two types of music.

Semantic memory was better for both kinds of music than with white noise and better with Mozart that with no music.

Recognizing that emotions could be a relevant factor, the experimenters analyzed a mood questionnaire comparing the two music conditions with white noise. Mozart generated higher happiness indicators than did Mahler or white noise. Mahler was rated more sad than Mozart and comparable to white noise.

See Memory Medic page 4 Fe b r u a r y 3 , 2 0 1 5 | 3

Common thief: Don’t let guilt steal your life

There is a thief among us. He is smart and sneaky. He gets to us early, so we’re familiar with him from childhood. Over time, his goal is to influence us so much we begin to hear his words in our own voice.

His name is Guilt. He wants to steal your life.

The first pet I had growing up was a gerbil named Ralph. He was amazing to watch.

When awake, he was in constant motion. He was especially fond of the wheel in his cage.

Gary roe He would get in it and Hospice run, seemingly for hours at a time. Often I would wake in the middle of the night to the sound of that little wheel going round and round.

Ralph was energetic and industrious, but he didn’t accomplish much. That’s OK. He wasn’t supposed to. He was a gerbil. He was cute, and that was enough.

Lately, I’ve thought of Ralph. I wonder how many of us live small lives, as if we’re trapped in some kind of cage? We go round in circles, but don’t seem to get anywhere. I believe Guilt has a lot to do with this.

One dictionary defines guilt as “a feeling of responsibility or remorse for some offense, crime, wrong, etc., whether real or imagined.” The two phrases that grab my attention are “a feeling of responsibility” and “whether

Memory Medic from page 3

Thus, happy, but not sad, music correlated with increased processing speed. The researchers speculated that happy subjects were more alert.

Surprisingly, both happy and sad music enhanced both kinds of memory over the white noise or silence condition. But it is not clear if this observation is generally applicable. The authors did mention without emphasis that both kinds of music were instrumental and lacked loudness or lyrics that could have been distracting and thus impair memory.

I think this point is substantial.

When lyrics are present, the brain is dragged into trying to hear the words

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real or imagined.”

Some of us were raised in an atmosphere of Guilt. He flexed his muscles and exerted his power long before we were born. We grew up with him. He became part of the air we breathed.

Kids often feel responsible for things beyond their control, like death, marital discord, divorce, financial difficulties, parental hardships or addictions and physical and sexual abuse. Children assume adults know what they’re doing and are right. When something goes awry, the child thinks he must have done something wrong.

Guilt seizes these golden opportunities. He whispers to us and settles into our hearts. He hungers to become the unseen shadow piloting our lives.

Yes, most of us are very well acquainted with Guilt.

Of course, some guilt is real and honest. We mess up. We make mistakes, including some really ugly ones. We hurt others, both intentionally and innocently. Some of us carry a great deal of angst about what happened, how and why. The weight of regret can become stifling.

Guilt smiles. He delights in being in the driver’s seat.

Then there’s false guilt. We make ourselves responsible, even as children, for what is beyond our control.

Everything bad is our fault and we try to fix it. We can’t, of course, because it

wasn’t our issue to begin with.

We get stuck in what-if and if-only.

“What if I had …?” “If only I would have …” Like my gerbil Ralph, we go round and round, getting nowhere. We don’t know what to do, so we punish ourselves.

Guilt smiles again. He has us right where he wants us.

What can you do to beat the Guilt Monster?

First, know that Guilt is an outside invader. He’s not a part of your heart. He weaseled his way in. He’s a persistent infection and must be treated accordingly.

Learn to say, “No thanks. That’s not my voice. That’s Guilt talking. I don’t have to listen.”

Second, accept the truth that Guilt benefits no one. Punishing yourself doesn’t enhance your life or relationships. Entertaining Guilt keeps you going in circles and hinders your ability to love others.

If you want to love, you must let go of Guilt. He’s an abuser and a complete waste of mental and emotional energy.

Third, when Guilt is real, apologize and ask forgiveness. Stop the mental spinning and take action.

If you’ve hurt or wronged someone, apologize clearly and simply, without excuses or conditions. Come clean.

Then ask forgiveness. How the other person responds is up to them.

Then, if possible and beneficial,

seek to make amends. It’s often best not to assume what this would be, but ask the other person, “How can I make this right?”

When you do this, Guilt trembles.

Fourth, forgive yourself. This is often the toughest step.

As you forgive yourself, Guilt gets shoved to the backseat. He’ll make some noise about this. That’s OK. You can learn to tune him out.

Fifth, ask for help. You weren’t meant to battle Guilt on your own. He’s a nasty enemy. You need some good allies for this fight.

You may feel guilty or stuck about challenges or decisions you’re facing.

Who can help with that? Who has the knowledge and skills to assist you? Seek the help you need to move forward.

It’s time to get off the gerbil wheel and climb out of the cage Guilt has constructed for you. No, he won’t go away. He’ll still smile when you blow it and try to surface past mistakes any way he can. He’s a skilled manipulator, and he never shuts up.

Stare him down. Say, “I know you.

You don’t belong here.” Watch him wilt.

Now, it’s your turn to smile.

and thinking about their meaning.

These thought processes would surely interfere with trying to memorize new information or recall previous learned material.

A point not considered at all is personal preference for certain types of music. There are people who don’t like classical music, and the data in this study could have been made “noisy” if enough of the 65 people disliked classical music and were actually distracted by it.

In other words, the effects noted in this study might have been magnified if the subjects were allowed to hear their preferred music.

My take-home lesson was actually formed over five decades ago when I listed to jazz records while plowing my

way through memorizing a veterinary medical curriculum. Then, I thought that the benefit was stress reduction (veterinary school IS stressful and happy jazz certainly reduces stress).

Now perhaps I see that frequent listening to music that was pleasurable for me might have actually helped my memory capability. If you still have doubts you might want to check my latest blog post, “Happy thoughts can make you more competent” (http:// thankyoubrain.blogspot.com/2015/01/ happy-thoughts-can-make-you-more. html).

Anyway, now that I am in the elderly category, I see there is still reason to listen to the music I like.

Music can be therapy for old age.

“People haven’t always been there for me but music always has.”

—Taylor Swift

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Gary Roe is an author, speaker and chaplain with Hospice Brazos Valley.

Visit him at www.garyroe.com or contact him at 979-821-2266 or groe@ hospicebrazosvalley.org.

Source: Bottiroli, Sara et al. (2014). The cognitive effects of listening to background music on older adults: processing speed improves with upbeat music, while memory seems to benefit from both upbeat and downbeat music.

Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. Oct. 15. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2014.00284.

“Memory Medic’s” latest book is “Improve Your Memory for a Healthy Brain. Memory Is the Canary in Your Brain’s Coal Mine.” It is available in e-book form in all formats at Smashwords.com.

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Ways to help improve health

My wife and I are 78 years old and we are looking for ways to stay healthy and productive. We are both a little overweight and not as active as we should be. We read your articles in The Eagle, and would like to hear your opinion about how we can improve our health through nutrition and exercise.

Thank you for a great question.

I think this quote from one of my patients is applicable, “Getting older in life is not for sissies.” For the older population, getting older can mean restrictions in your lifestyle due to illness, weaknesses and so forth. However, many older individuals are Leon Bradway living full lives well pHysical THerapy into their 80s and 90s mainly because they have taken more responsibility for their good health in terms of the choices they make each and every day. I think it is extraordinary how many people later in life are staying active, productive

and maintaining their independence.

This is what life is really about – living fully to the very end.

Here are a couple of facts about our aging society. By the year 2050, 30 percent of the American population will be 60 years and older. It is also estimated that 3 million people will be 100 years and older. My point here is that most of us today will live into our 80s and 90s, and some will live 100 years or longer. With that said, it is so important that we stay as healthy as we can in our later years of life. In my opinion, staying healthy means good food choices, regular exercise, staying socially and mentally active and having a sense of purpose.

Every food choice you make is a step toward health or away from health.

Think of your choices as the catalyst for good health. Research is proving that healthy eating reduces the body’s production of inflammation that can be a precursor to chronic diseases such as heart disease, arthritis, diabetes and strokes. Inflammation in the body can be created from possessing too much adipose tissue (e.g., fat), particularly

the type that is deeper and surrounds the organs. Toxins are also stored in the fat, so it can affect you long after you ingested it or came in contact with it. Eating too much processed food and not enough whole/ natural food can also lead to inflammation and poor health. Your body does Your non-profit hospice of choice. a great job healing itself Experienced Hospice & Palliative Care: and getting rid of waste, · Physicians, Nurses & Aides · Social Workers but it needs the right · Volunteers nutrients and enzymes · Bereavement Counselors Bryan: 979-821-2266 Brenham: 979-277-9525 · Chaplains to do so. You won’t get La Grange: 979-968-6913 this from processed Inpatient Facility: 979-821-5030 foods, even those that are www.hospicebrazosvalley.org fortified. What should we Your t eat? We should eat more hospice of choice whole foods, the more since 1989 natural, the better. Whole foods are not processed or refined; they have a limited shelf life because do you know if it’s fresh or natural? the nutrients degrade with heat, time, air and light. When I say whole foods, See Bradway I mean as close to the natural state as page 9 possible and as fresh as possible. How

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American Heart Month

Tips and strategies for being heart healthy

BY HOLLI L. KOSTER

cardiovascular disease almost to the level of a non-smoker,” said Gard.

Special to The Eagle

February is American Heart Month – a time the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urges people to learn about their risks for heart disease and stroke and to learn strategies for remaining heart healthy.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cardiovascular disease (CVD) – including heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure – is the No. 1 killer of women and men in the United States and a leading cause of disability.

“Cardiovascular disease really is an umbrella term,” said Anne Gard, family practice physician with St. Joseph Regional Health Center. “Plaque in the arteries causes diminished blood flow, which can lead to heart attack and stroke.”

Risk factors

The No. 1 killer CVD is the No. 1 killer for men and women – more so than cancer.

Although the number of preventable deaths has declined in people aged 65 to 74, it has remained unchanged in people under age 65, according to the CDC. And, men are more than twice as likely as women to die from preventable CVD. Patients who have survived heart attacks or stroke often are left in a disabled condition – many with difficulties speaking or walking.

Healthy diet and exercise Patients looking to reduce weight or adopt a healthier lifestyle can look to a heart-healthy diet, with low fat (specifically saturated fat), low sodium and low carbohydrates, said Michelle Dohrman, a

Patients, including seniors, with conditions such as hypertension, dyslipidemia (elevated “bad” cholesterol or lowdensity lipoprotein combined with low high-density lipoprotein and elevated triglycerides), diabetes, smoking, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle and family history of cardiovascular disease possess proven risk factors for developing the illness.

Gard said family history involves first-degree relatives with cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease, she said, often affects men over the age of 55 and women over the age of 65.

Getting healthy The good news is seniors can control a number of risk factors for CVD, including diet, physical activity, tobacco use, obesity, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and diabetes.

Gard said the American Health Association recommends getting 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise, smoking cessation, maintaining normal blood pressure and blood sugar levels, maintaining a body mass index of 25 and continuing a healthy diet.

If a patient has a family history of CVD, Gard said a health care team can calculate that person’s risk. Patients with a family history also are well advised to have cholesterol and blood pressure checked earlier – as well as to keep up with ideal lifestyle habits.

Gard said patients with family history, if completely healthy, should begin to have checks by age 35 for men and by age 45 for women.

For patients with existing conditions, a medical team can manage blood pressure or reduce cholesterol with medication.

Still, many risk factors are within patients’ control, says Gard, including smoking cessation.

“A lot of patients don’t know this, but people who quit – just two years out, they significantly reduce their risk of

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Exercise helps to reduce the risk of heart disease.

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registered dietitian with St. Joseph Regional Health Center.

“People don’t want to have big changes, and it’s good to take small steps,” Dohrman said.

For instance, if you’re a big meat eater trying to get down to six ounces of protein per day, choose loin or round cuts of meat, which usually have less fat. Try to stay away from red meat because it has more saturated fat.

“If you are a person who doesn’t mind eating fish, fish is an excellent source of protein,” she said. “If you drink whole milk, try switching to 2 percent.”

Patients can also look into using measuring cups to measure out food or smaller plates.

Dohrman recommends patients refer to myplate.gov for guidelines on healthy eating and references on portion sizes – and to watch portion sizes in restaurants.

“Eating out is tough,” she said. “If you’re at a restaurant that is more of a chain, try to look at the menu ahead of time to make choices ahead of time.”

When food arrives, Dohrman advises patrons to put half of the food in a to-go box right away.

Where possible, order something like a broth-type soup as an appetizer. Skip the bread or chip basket. Order salad dressings on the size.

People can use a food diary to effectively track eating and gain an insight on patterns or trends in their eating. Dohrman recommends myfitnesspal.com for a means of viewing how much saturated fat and sodium they are consuming.

St. Joseph offers free monthly nutrition classes for cardiac rehabilitation and diabetes patients, but Dohrman says the classes are open to everyone.

The cardiac rehab classes, held from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. the third Wednesday of every month (except for March) are taught at the St. Joseph Regional Rehabilitation Center at 1600 Joseph Drive in the Quilter’s Cafe. The diabetes classes are taught the first Monday and Wednesday (from 9 a.m. to noon) and the third Tuesday and Thursday (5:30 to 8:30 p.m.) of every month at the St. Joseph Professional Building, Room 140 (2700 East 29th St.).

Grocery store tours and seminars are held the second Tuesday of every month from 10 to 11 a.m.

For more information, contact St. Joseph Healthy Communities at 979-731-1231.

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Easy ways to start living healthier every day Metro Creative Connection

Contrary to popular belief, adopting a healthy lifestyle is not a difficult undertaking. In certain instances, convenience may need to be sacrificed in favor of nutrition, but many people find that living healthy is not nearly as difficult as they assumed it would be when they initially decided to make a change.

When men and women decide they want to start living healthier, many mistakenly assume they must abandon their existing habits entirely and start from scratch. But the following are some easy ways to start living healthier every day.

• Eat more fruits and vegetables. One of the best and easiest ways to live healthier is to begin eating more fruits and vegetables. Instead of unhealthy snacks like potato chips and cookies, snack on a piece of fruit, and never sit down to a meal unless you include some vegetables to go along with the main course. Studies have shown that men and women whose diets are high in fruits and vegetables are less likely to develop certain types of cancers, including cancers of the digestive tract. In addition, the United States Department of Agriculture notes that people whose diets are rich in fruits and vegetables have a lower risk for heart disease, including heart attack and stroke.

• Slow down your eating routine. Some people may already be eating the right foods, but they may just be eating too much of them. It takes time for your body to let you know it’s had too much to eat, so eating too fast can increase your risk of overeating. While eating, try to limit distractions that can take your attention away from how much you’re eating. If you’re always watching television or checking emails on your phone while eating, try a few days of distraction-free, careful eating, and you may find yourself eating less and feeling more energized after a meal.

• Skip the second glass of wine. The much publicized medical benefits of wine are somewhat misleading. According to the Mayo Clinic, when consumed in moderation, red wine can help prevent heart disease. That’s because alcohol and antioxidants found in red wine have been shown to increase levels of high-density lipoprotein, often referred to as “good” cholesterol, and protect against artery damage. But wine also contains sugars that can fatten the liver, and a fatty liver can contribute to a host of serious health problems. If you already drink wine, limit yourself to one glass per day. If you are not a wine drinker, then it’s important to note that many doctors believe the potential benefits of drinking wine do not outweigh the potentially negative consequences associated with alcohol consumption, which include neurological problems and an increased risk for heart disease.

• Get more sleep. Inadequate sleep affects the body in a variety of ways. Many people are aware that one poor night’s

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Including more fruits and vegetables in your diet is an easy and effective way to improve your overall health. sleep is certain to affect their energy levels the following day, but fewer may know of the link between sleep duration and chronic disease. For example, the Harvard Medical School notes that studies have linked insufficient sleep to type 2 diabetes, as the body’s ability to process glucose can be compromised by poor sleeping habits. Other medical conditions that have been linked to insufficient sleep include obesity, heart disease and mood disorders. While you might be proud of your ability to function on minimal sleep, the longterm effects of insufficient sleep can be dire, so be sure to get at least seven hours of sleep each night.

Choosing to live healthier does not mean you need to completely overhaul your existing lifestyle. In fact, you can make several easy everyday changes to dramatically improve your overall health.

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Dating after 50 Metro Creative Connection

Sweaty palms, heart palpitations and nervousness are common first date symptoms. Many people can remember the feelings of excitement and fear they felt the first time they went out on a date as a teenager. But those who find themselves back in the dating pool as mature adults quickly learn that dating jitters still may be present even after all this time.

Recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau finds that those over the age of 50 are now divorcing at double the rate of younger people. Loss of a spouse is another reason the over 50 crowd may once again be dabbling in dating.

Recent reports say that 40 percent of online daters today are over the age of 50. Successfully navigating the waters of matchmaking sites or old-fashioned meet-and-greets means reacquainting oneself with a few handy tips.

• Don’t open up with your extended history. Older daters have

more life experiences and potentially a greater number of past relationships.

Recognize that you both may bring former spouses and even children to the table, but don’t feel the need to delve into all of your adventures (or misadventures) on the first date. Early dates are not for setting the entire course of your relationship. They’re for getting acquainted and seeing if this is a relationship you want to continue.

Getting too personal right off the bat can sabotage a relationship before it starts.

• Take it slow. There’s no need to rush anything along. Biological clocks or perceived societal notions no longer may be causing pressing relationship deadlines. Take the first date and any other subsequent dates at a pace that’s mutually agreed upon. It may take several months to years before all of

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Romantic films to watch together this Valentine’s Day Metro Creative Connection

Couples celebrate Valentine’s Day in many different ways. For some the idea of dinner out followed by a stroll arm-in-arm seems the epitome of romance, while others may want to go out dancing or engage in a favorite hobby.

Valentine’s Day also can be a romantic endeavor if a couple chooses to spend time at one with each other watching a romantic movie. The following are a handful of love-inspired movies that can add a special something to Valentine’s Day festivities.

• The Notebook: Author Nicholas Sparks has a way of taking the everyday experiences in a person’s life and making them relatable and heartbreaking in a pluck-at-yourheartstrings sort of way. His novel “The Notebook” won the hearts of many and seemed a natural to be adapted to film. Starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, the movie illustrates how love can last through the years and even survive an Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

• The Proposal: In order to remain in the country, a demanding New Yorkbased book editor (Sandra Bullock) asks her brow-beaten assistant (Ryan Reynolds) to marry her. Their

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from page 5 Ask your grocer or the producer (e.g., farmer). If you eat organic/natural, you know it is not bathed in chemicals; it isn’t genetically modified; and it’s grown with sustainable practices, which means fewer chemicals and more nutrients in the food. If you can’t afford to eat all organic, at least avoid the “dirty dozen” (www.ewg. org/foodnews/summary.php). Don’t shy away from local produce if it is produced using organic methods; fresh is the best for nutrient content. Just get to know the producer and find out what he/she uses on the produce. Try to eat natural meats, fish, milk and eggs, as well.

It is becoming clear that we have too many chemicals in the products we eat and use daily. Try to go “back to nature” as much as possible. This includes growing some of your own foods. This is a great deal easier than you might think, and there T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

tumultuous relationship involves a trip to Alaska to meet his family.

• An Affair to Remember: Romantic melodramatic master Cary Grant falls in love with Deborah Kerr aboard a cruise ship while they are traveling with other people. They agree to meet at the top of the Empire State Building in six months if they have ended their relationships and are ready to commit to each other. Grant makes it to the rendezvous spot, but an injured Kerr never shows as Grant assumes she has rejected the proposal.

• Say Anything: In pursuit of a woman he believes is out of his social league, Lloyd Dobler (John Cusack) creates hope for the underdog in us all.

The movie inspired teens to raise their boom box radios over their heads and blast romantic tunes to illustrate their love.

• The Wedding Singer: This quirky movie about a wedding singer who falls for a banquet waitress highlights the importance of loving each other for what makes you unique.

• Once: Attraction between the main characters comes by way of creative musical collaboration.

Music proves to be an aphrodisiac, making the film and the song “Falling Slowly” from its score so popular. This romantic tale helped take the film

from the big screen to the Broadway stage.

• West Side Story: “West Side Story” is yet another homage to “Romeo and Juliet.”

But the film made Shakespeare’s tragic love story relatable to audiences of the 1960s.

• My Best Friend’s Wedding: Julianne (Julia Roberts) is called on to be the “best man” for her friend’s (Dermot Mulroney) wedding.

Only when the wedding planning is underway does Julianne realize she is in love with her friend and needs to get him to fall for Cuddle up with someone you love, cue the her instead. streaming video service and enjoy a romantic • Never Been Kissed: A film for Valentine’s Day. reporter goes undercover at a high school to discover Academy Awards, “Annie Hall” follows something controversial and ends up a comedian who is trying to maintain being the subject of her story when she his relationship with a woman. falls in love with her English teacher.

• Bridget Jones’ Diary: A modern • Harold and Maude: A man in adaptation of “Pride and Prejudice,” his twenties and a much older woman the movie tells the tale of a selfbegin a romantic relationship and challenge social norms along the way.

See Movies • Annie Hall: Winner of four page 11

are Master Gardeners in the area who can help. Eat a variety of foods; try different grains (quinoa, farro, amaranth); try different legumes, nuts and seeds; try different spices (turmeric, fenugreek). Healthy eating also includes healthy forms of fat such as olive oil (extra virgin), nuts, seeds and so on. Remember to vary the color of your fruits, berries and vegetables because different colors hold valuable antioxidants to fight toxins and inflammation within the body.

Regarding exercise, try to stay active a little every day. All the things you’ve heard are true - park a little farther away; get up and move around during commercials; get a pedometer and try to increase the number of steps you take daily. Start slowly, but build; the point is to do something, don’t stress about what and how. As a physical therapist, I recommend you increase your flexibility, as well.

Stretching, yoga and tai chi are all ways to do this. Good flexibility helps ensure good blood flow, good balance and less pain. Again, start slowly and

build; the point is to do something. The American Academy of Sports Medicine advocates that everyone spend four to five days a week exercising for a half hour each day. The exercises should be in the form of stretching, aerobic activity and resistance training. If you need more coaxing, here are three major reasons why you should exercise weekly: 1) maintain a healthy weight, 2) feel a sense of accomplishment and lastly, 3) prevent falls. Exercising in our 80s and 90s is important to preventing falls by maintaining good leg strength and balance. Talk to your family physician or internist about starting an exercise program. If you suffer from pain (back, shoulders, hip or knees) that prevents you from exercising, consider talking to a physical therapist to determine the cause of your pain, how to reduce it and the best way to start an exercise program so you won’t injure yourself.

Finally, staying active socially and mentally is important. Many people as they age may experience their life shrinking in dimension as they stay

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home more often, visit friends and family less often, stop engaging in their favorite hobbies and activities and in essence, lose their sense of purpose.

We all need a purpose for living. There are many things we can do to give our lives purpose: volunteering, meeting friends for coffee, staying active in our old profession, writing our memoirs to benefit the younger generation, joining a social group, sharing important life lessons with the young and so on.

As I mentioned before, we have to take responsibility for our good health and that starts with personal choices.

Every day, you make choices that move you forward or hold you back. You are in control. Start small and build the life you want to have regardless of your age now - choose whole foods, physical activity and social and mental engagement.

Leon Bradway is a doctor of physical therapy and director of the Sports, Back and Pain Management Clinic. See www. bvphysicaltherapy.com.

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CALENDAR Ongoing

more about the computer world. The meetings are held at the Waste Water Facility Training Room, 2200 North Forest Parkway in College Station, at 9:30 a.m. No pre-registration needed. For more information contact College Station Parks and Recreation Department, Senior Services at 979764-6371 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Portrait Drawing Class - Learn to draw portraits. Class meets Feb. 4 to March 11, on Wednesdays from 1 to 4 p.m. at Southwood Community Center. Cost is $45. Basic drawing supplies required. To register visit rectrac.cstx. gov, or call 979-764-3486 for more details.

Acrylic Painting - Learn basic techniques of painting. Supply list at sign up. Class meets Feb. 4 to March 11, on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon at Southwood Community Center. Cost of the class is $45. To register visit rectrac.cstx.gov, or call 979-764-3486 for more information.

Sit and Fit Chair Exercises - Get a workout while sitting in a chair. Seniors meet at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station, every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, from noon to 1 p.m. For more details, contact 979-764-6351, 979-764-6371 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Line Dancing - Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station, holds line dancing for seniors on Tuesdays from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. and on Fridays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. For more information, contact 979764-6351, 979-764-6371 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Bluegrass Jam Session – Bluegrass Jam Session is held from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesdays at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station. All levels welcome. Bring string instruments and a friend. For more details, contact 979-764-6351, Feb. 9 Beginning Computer Class – Meets from 9 979-764-6371 or mrodgers@cstx.gov. to 10:30 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays, from Friday Bridge - Southwood Community Feb. 9 to 18. Start with the basics and progress to Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College software, email, creating and saving files, editing Station, offers bridge for seniors every Friday and printing. Held at Southwood Community from 9 to 11:30 a.m. For more, contact 979-764- Center. Cost of the class is $45. To register visit 6351, 979-764-6371 or mrodgers@cstx.gov. rectrac.cstx.gov, or call for more information, 979Learn how to play 42 dominoes - Learn the 764-3486. popular game of 42 every Wednesday from 9:30 Intermediate Computer Class - A to 11:30 a.m. at Southwood Community Center, continuation for the students of Computers 101 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station. or the already seasoned beginner. Class meets Contact Southwood Community Center at 979-764-6351 or email mrodgers@cstx.gov for more information.

42 dominoes - Seniors meet every Thursday to play 42 at Southwood Community Comfort Keepers provides the Center, 1520 Rock Prairie kind of non-medical in-home care Road in College Station, from services that help people maintain 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. New players full and independent lives, all in the comfort and familiar surroundings welcome. For more details, of their own home. We would be 244 Southwest Pkwy E. contact 979-764-6351, 979-764- happy to arrange a free in-home College Station, TX 77840 6371 or mrodgers@cstx.gov. visit to help you learn more.

Bible study – Bible study S E RV I C E S 979-764-3076 is held for seniors at 9:15 a.m.

• Light Housekeeping every Thursday at Lincoln Individually owned and operated.

Errands, Shopping • Incidental Transportation Center, 1000 Eleanor St. in • Laundry College Station. Contact Annie • Recreation, Crafts Williams at 979-764-3779 or • Grooming, Dressing awilliams@cstx.gov for more • Personal Care Services information.

from 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Mondays and Wednesdays, Feb. 9 to 18. Cost of the class is $45. To register visit rectrac.cstx.gov or call for more information, 979-764-3486.

AARP Driver Safety Course - Refresh your driving skills. Learn defensive driving techniques, proven safety strategies and new traffic laws and rules of the road. Class meets at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with a break for lunch.

Cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for nonmembers. Pay at the door. To register call 979764-6371 or email mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Feb. 12

Sweetheart Dance - Dance will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station. Door prizes and light refreshments served from 7 to 9 p.m. For more information, call 764-6351 or email mrodgers @cstx.gov.

Sugar Blues Workshop – Free workshop at 1:30 p.m. will teach how to permanently change a person’s relationship with sugar cravings. Held at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station. For more information, call 764-6351 or email mrodgers @cstx.gov.

Feb. 13

Valentine’s Day Tea and Bingo - Seniors are invited to enjoy a cup of tea and finger foods at 1:30 p.m. at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station. Bingo will be played with prizes. A reservation is necessary.

To make a reservation, call 979-764-6351 or email mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Feb. 18

Exploring History Luncheon - The College Station Historic Preservation Committee and the College Station Parks and Recreation Department present monthly lectures with lunch on the history of the community. Anne Black will present the history of OPAS. The luncheon will be held at Aldersgate Church, 2201 Earl Rudder Freeway S. A reservation is necessary for lunch by the Friday before; the cost is $5. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. Speaker will begin at noon. Reserve by calling 979-764-6351 or emailing mrodgers@ cstx.gov.

See Calendar page 11

Feb. 4

ComputerClubforSeniors: “How to Use Microsoft Excel” The Computer Club is open to all seniors interested in learning

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Calendar

from page 10 Genealogy Computer User Group: “Ancestry.com: The place to find and keep everything”- The group shares an interest in computer genealogical information and meets on the third Wednesday of the month at Carter Creek Training Room, 2200 N. Forest Parkway from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. No registration required. For more information, call 764-6371 or email mrodgers @ cstx.gov.

Feb. 19

A Matter of Balance Class - This free, eightweek class held on Thursdays starting Feb. 19 is designed to reduce fear of falling and improve individual activity levels. Class is held from 1:30 to

Movies

from page 9 conscious woman who finds love in a man that seems to be her polar opposite.

• Ten Things I Hate About You: Filmmakers reinvented “The Taming of the Shrew” in this teen comedy starring Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger.

3:30 pm at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station. To register, call 979-764-6351 or email mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Movie & Popcorn: “The Express” - Seniors are invited to enjoy a free movie and popcorn at Southwood Community Center. Movie starts at 1 p.m. Contact Southwood Community Center at 979-764-6351 or email mrodgers@cstx.gov for more information.

Feb. 27

Bingo & Birthday Celebration - Seniors are invited on the last Friday of each month to celebrate birthdays for that month with cake and bingo. Join the fun at 1 p.m. at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road.

Contact Southwood Community Center at 979764-6351 for more information or mrodgers@ cstx.gov.

• Casablanca: No romantic movie list would be complete without this wartime drama. Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman are in top form in this movie of chance meetings.

• The Princess Bride: Girl meets boy, girl detests boy, girl truly loves boy, and then girl loses boy. This fairy tale shares the purity of true love and happily ever after.

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Fe b r u a r y 3 , 2 0 1 5 | 11

Positives

from page 8 your truths come out, but for now focus on having fun until you’re both ready to share more.

• Look for the positives. Before you decide a person is not for you, make a note of all of his or her positive

attributes. What do you like most about him or her? Initial negativity or doubts may stem from your fear of rejection.

Be open to others who may not fit your type.

• Don’t get discouraged. The person you first meet may not be the right fit. Don’t let this turn you off of dating. The right person may be the next one around the corner.

• Meet in public places. Many dates begin with online conversations with the intention to meet for a physical date later on. Always keep safety in mind when setting a rendezvous with someone you don’t know well. Choose a public meeting spot, such as a busy restaurant. Ask a friend to check in on you via phone call. Consider a double-date if you’re weary. Take your own car and meet at the date location rather than being picked up at home.

• Wait for intimacy. It may take a while before you feel comfortable getting intimate with someone new. This person should respect your feelings and not pressure you into a physical relationship until you are both ready. Also, give the other person time to grow comfortable with intimacy.

Senior Circle is out to expand your horizons with

Dating after 50 means taking chances, going slow and exploring new relationship possibilities that make you feel comfortable.

Come play with someone your own age!

an exciting calendar of events scheduled around town and around the world. If you’re 50 or better, want to meet new people, learn more about your health, travel and just have fun, then Senior Circle is for you. Dues are just $15 a year. To join or for more information, call Mandy Williams at 979-764-5107 or visit CSMedCenter.com.

Become part of the Circle.

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