Drive Time! Explore Florida’s North-Central Coast p. 11
Wisdom of the Inner Witness p. 22
THE
BODY + MIND ISSUE
Yoga for Shoulder Tension p. 26
MEDICARE
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G R O W I N G B O L D E R / D I G I TA L D I G E S T
G R O W I N G B O L D E R / D I G I TA L D I G E S T
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PUBLISHER Jackie Carlin EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Emily Thompson
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Ashley Heafy GRAPHIC DESIGNER Katie Styles EXECUTIVE EDITOR Doris Bloodsworth PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Jill Middleton
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Lisa Beach, Michael Cloutier, Chef Collette Haw Jonathan Taylor, Regan Jones, R.D.
GROWING BOLDER PRESS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Marc Middleton PRESIDENT Robert Thompson
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CONTENTS
in every issue 9
NOTE FROM THE CEO
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GROWING BOLDER WITH
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ORDINARY PEOPLE LIVING EXTRAORDINARY LIVES
defy
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THE ACE OF CUPS
Band signs deal 50 years after opening for Jimi Hendrix
heal 16
COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR CAREGIVERS
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YOGA FOR SHOULDER TENSION
Simple stretches for upper body openness
florida travel 11
DRIVE TIME!
Explore Florida’s north-central coast
move 28
THE EVOLUTION OF HOME WORKOUTS
Exercise equipment for small spaces
connect 22
WISDOM OF THE INNER WITNESS
Mindfulness practice for beginners
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HEALTHY HOME COOKING
Simple recipe for pork medallions with pomegranate-berry sauce
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Feelings are much like waves, we can’t stop them from coming but we can choose which ones to surf. - Jonatan Mårtensson
FOR MORE DAILY MEME S :
@GrowingBolder Rudi Zwaan / EyeEm via Getty Images
NOTE FROM THE CEO
Savoring How are your coping skills? Life forces us to develop coping skills to diminish the effects of painful moments and difficult times. Coping skills are critical, but they are only part of the formula for successful aging and a happy life. Equally important, but largely ignored, are what positive psychologists call savoring skills. Savoring is actively trying to prolong and intensify our appreciation of a pleasurable moment or event. And that means not just while it’s occurring but also before it occurs, by anticipating it, and after it occurs, by reminiscing about it. If you’re a traveler, you know that planning and imagining your trip, and then reliving it in detail, are often as enjoyable as the trip itself. Savoring is important to our health and wellbeing because it has been shown to strengthen our immune system, improve our blood pressure, reduce anxiety, increase creativity and improve our sleep. The new year brings with it new opportunities but also new challenges. It always does. Let’s work as hard to savor as we do to cope. Let’s amplify the anticipation of upcoming trips and family get-togethers. Let’s accentuate the many positive moments and emotions that we experience on a daily basis but don’t fully appreciate: a warm cup of coffee, a kind smile, a gentle breeze. Let’s magnify our feelings of joy, love, gratitude and serenity. Let’s prioritize savoring in the new year, even while we’re coping, which is when we need it the most.
Let’s prioritize savoring in the new year, even while we’re coping, which is when we need it the most. G R O W I N G B O L D E R / D I G I TA L D I G E S T
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New episodes each Sunday. Subscribe at GrowingBolder.com/podcast
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Check your local NPR listings or visit GrowingBolder.com/radio
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Watch What’s Next, live on Facebook and YouTube every Friday at 10 am ET
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Growing Bolder is not just media, it’s a movement. Follow us @GrowingBolder
G R O W I N G B O L D E R / D I G I TA L D I G E S T
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Travel opens your heart, broadens your mind and fills your life with stories to tell. - Paula Bendfeldt
FOR MORE DAILY MEME S :
@GrowingBolder Tomas Rodriguez /Stone via Getty Images
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DRIVE TIME! Explore Florida’s North-Central Coast Lisa A. Beach
As a peninsula, Florida boasts 1,800 miles of coastline, which puts waving palm trees, fresh seafood and toes-inthe-sand beaches within a short drive no matter where you are in the Sunshine State. One of my favorite drives? Start with Fernandina Beach in the north and continue south down A1A to the Canaveral National Seashore in Central Florida, hitting the following key stops along the way.
F L O R I DA T R AV E L
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Amelia Island From charming, historic downtown Fernandina Beach, to sunset cruises, to horseback riding on the beach, this barrier island invites you to stay, play and unwind. Hungry? Grab a rooftop table, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, at the Salt Life for fresh-caught grouper. Visit Fort Clinch State Park, a well-preserved Civil War era fort with living history demonstrations, hiking trails and two campgrounds — one at the beach, one at the river. Need some pampering? Choose from two luxurious spas at Omni Amelia Island Resort, well-known for its clean-and-green therapies, and the Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island, a cavernous yet intimate setting. Hint: Ask for the Ritz’s signature Heaven in a Hammock treatment.
Jacksonville Although the draw of downtown Jacksonville is certainly worth a pitstop, it’s the coastal communities that truly shine. With plenty of stops on the Jacksonville Ale Trail, craft beer lovers can find the perfect amber, India pale ale (IPA) or stout. Head to Green Room Brewery, Jacksonville Beach’s first microbrewery, for a pint of Diamond Blonde Ale. For the area’s best street tacos, pop into the colorful Cantina Louie. Rent a kayak and paddle your way through Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve and Talbot Islands State Parks. History buffs can dig into the past of Mayport Village and Kingsley Plantation. Looking for a dog-friendly beach? Visit Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park for swimming, surfing and fishing.
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St. Augustine As the oldest U.S. city, St. Augustine boasts a walkable district, including famous St. George Street, filled with local artisans, historic buildings and the must-see Colonial Quarter for interactive history experiences. You’ll also find two of the best pizzerias in Florida — Pizzalley and Pizza Time — dishing up mouthwatering Brooklyn-style pizza. Stay the night at one of the dozens of quaint bed-and-breakfast inns dotting the area. Don’t miss the city’s focal point — Castillo de San Marcos, a 17th-century Spanish stone fortress with views of the St. Augustine Inlet. Cross the Bridge of Lions to explore Anastasia State Park, a protected wildlife sanctuary, and the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum. It’s a 219-step climb but worth the spectacular panoramic view.
Daytona Beach Along popular Daytona Beach sits a family-friendly boardwalk with plenty of shops and restaurants and a bandshell with an ocean view that is home to the beloved outdoor Summer Concert series. Birdwatchers will enjoy spotting some of the 160 species sighted in Tomoka State Park. Hikers and cyclists can meander through 33 miles of Volusia County trails, including the East Central Florida Regional Rail Trail built along an abandoned railroad. Nearby, visit world-famous Daytona International Speedway or hop in the virtual driver’s seat at the Daytona 500 Experience. Looking for a little culture? Head to Daytona’s hidden gem — the Museum of Arts and Sciences, which sits on a stunning 90-acre nature preserve.
Canaveral National Seashore Stretching for 24 captivating miles, the Canaveral National Seashore features the longest span of undeveloped public beach along Florida’s East Coast — perfect for taking a dip in the ocean or building sandcastles. At Mosquito Lagoon, reel in silver perch or fly fish for red drum. Check out Turtle Mound, one of Florida’s most famous archaeological sites, built by Native Americans who tossed their oyster shells — all 1.5 million bushels of them — onto a pile that towers at 35 feet high. The grand finale? Simply soak in the sound of waves lapping at the shore on this pristine barrier island before heading back home. This beautiful stretch of Florida’s North-Central coast makes the perfect two- or three-day road trip anytime of year.
G GR RO OW WIIN NG GB BO OLLD DE ER R // D DIIG GIITA TALL D DIIG GE E SS TT
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Shana Novaks/ DigitalVision via Getty Images
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Community Support for Caregivers Emily Thompson
Have you ever given a family member a ride to a doctor’s appointment? Picked up soup and groceries for a sick friend? Checked in on a neighbor while they were recovering from an injury? Brought a parent to live with you in your home when their health declined? All of these examples are forms of caregiving, yet many of us don’t realize that we are in fact, caregivers. Caregivers are often juggling the many demands of their own lives while supporting their loved one, which while not without challenges, can be incredibly rewarding and purposeful. As a community, by seeing the caregivers all around us and proactively lifting them (and each other) up — through a check in call or text, delivering groceries, a technology tip to make things easier, or even just thanking them for the work they are doing, we can help all caregivers feel validated and not alone. We are all in this together. Sharing our experiences with others is healing. Humans are wired to connect. It’s what motivates us to provide caregiving in the first place. Thank the caregivers in your life, whether they are caring for you or not. Let them know that you see the small and large tasks and responsibilities they manage. Recognize their generosity of spirit. Fuel their efforts with feelings of gratitude and love.
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ALL CAREGIVERS NEED COMMUNITY SUPPORT Community support is essential for caregivers — from information on how to access services for loved ones to emotional support from a community of other caregivers. Florida Blue members have virtual access to community specialists for exactly this kind of help. To speak with a Florida Blue community specialist, call 877-352-5830.
Find resources in your community
ARCHANGELS
Assistance with local resources can help reduce the financial burden and logistical strain for caregivers. Let our community specialists find food pantries that will deliver, so you don’t have to leave home. Or ask them to help with needs like building a ramp so that you can get your loved one in and out of the house. Florida Blue community specialists live in your neighborhood and know how to solve problems locally.
Do you consider yourself a caregiver? Whether caring for a parent, child, spouse, friend or family member, any amount of time spent taking care of another person counts as caregiving. There are time commitments, sacrifices, expenses and emotional challenges that a caregiver must manage. And you don’t have to do it alone. ARCHANGELS is a national movement recognizing and honoring caregivers’ important and meaningful work. This service is available to all Floridians — you do not need to be a Florida Blue member to take advantage of this free resource. To find out if your local Florida Blue Center is an ARCHANGELS location, call toll free 877-352-5830.
Connect with virtual care resources Maybe your loved one needs to see a doctor, or maybe you need grief support and you don’t know where to look. A community specialist can help you figure out how to connect with virtual resources throughout your caregiving journey.
Oliver Rossi /Stone, scyther5/iStock via Getty Images
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GrowingBolder.com/Medicare
TOP 5 TIPS FOR CAREGIVERS FROM ARCHANGELS Florida Blue partners with ARCHANGELS to provide members and non-members with support, resources and a community of caregivers. Learn more at ARCHANGELS.me.
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CAREGIVERS ARE EVERYWHERE. Take advantage of what other caregivers can offer you. They have tips that can help you, and you have tips that might help them. Remember there is no better feeling than doing something for others or connecting around a shared reality. Let that be an encouragement.
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A NORMAL ROUTINE IS KEY. If you don’t keep some normalcy in your routine, you’ll find yourself at risk of losing it.
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CONNECT WITH FRIENDS. Write an old-fashioned letter to someone who could use some love. Call a friend. Ask a teenager to show you social media.
Learn more about how ARCHANGELS supports all caregivers by visiting ARCHANGELS.me.
Florida Blue and Florida Blue Medicare are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. © 2020 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Inc., DBA Florida Blue. All rights reserved. We comply with applicable federal civil rights laws and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability or gender. ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 800-352-2583 (TTY: 1-877-955-8773). ATANSYON: Si w pale Kreyòl Ayisyen, gen sèvis èd pou lang ki disponib gratis pou ou. Rele 800-352-2583 (TTY: 800-955-8770). Y0011_101112_C 0420 C:04/2020 Y0011_101112_C 0420 EGWP C: 04/2020.
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GROWING BOLDER WITH
Margaret Trudeau Margaret Trudeau is an actress, author, former talk show host, mental health advocate and, perhaps most famously, former First Lady of Canada and mother of current Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
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She also has suffered with the stigma of mental illness for decades. “I was diagnosed more than 40 years ago with bipolar disorder and spent decades walking down the dark side of the street,” she said. Now Trudeau is sharing her story widely in the hopes of helping others, including through her one-woman show, “Certain Woman of an Age.” She performed it for live audiences at Chicago’s famous UP Comedy Club at The Second City prior to the pandemic, and it’s now available on Audible.
Dominik Magdziak / Stringer via Getty images
Scott Hamilton Scott Hamilton has faced Stage 4 testicular cancer and three brain tumors. The Olympic gold medalist, broadcaster, father and author of “Finish First” says that despite it all, he remains an eternal optimist. At the height of his ice skating career, figure skating became too expensive for his family. After years of underachieving, his mother passed away and he asked himself, “What had she sacrificed so much for?”
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So, Hamilton got serious. He got competitive. “Figure out what’s held you back and chip away at those things that prevent you from moving forward.” If you keep showing up every day and outwork everybody, there’s nothing at which you can’t be successful.
Aaron Neville Aaron Neville’s voice has been an unmistakable part of the American music scene since the 1960s. His voice conveys wisdom, experience and lessons learned. One of the hardest lessons to learn was how to live without his beloved wife, Joel, who died of lung cancer on their 48th anniversary.
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A couple of years later, he unexpectedly found love again with photographer Sarah Friedman. “Sarah encouraged me to talk about Joel, and it helped to get some of the sadness out of me. Before her, I felt like there was no tomorrow, but here I am, years later, happy and alive,” he said. Today, he and Sarah are married, and he’s continuing to make new music.
G R O W I N G B O L D E R / D I G I TA L D I G E S T
IN E VERY IS SUE : GROWING BOLDER WITH
ORDINARY PEOPLE LIVING EXTRAORDINARY LIVES ®
Billy Fels & Doug Montgomery THE GUITAR GUYS AMPLIFY LIFE
Neither Billy Fels nor Doug Montgomery expected their lives to be amplified by guitars. Neither can play them; yet for 45 years, in a shop they call The Guitar Factory, they’ve been creating custom guitars of the highest quality and repairing those created elsewhere. Many of the greatest talents in the world have come to their cramped, aging building in Orlando to seek them out. Jimmy Buffett, Sting, Nils Lofgren, Mike Rutherford, Pat Travers and Derek Trucks are just a few of the big names who have sought their expertise. Their experience, skill and attitude make them indispensable to players of all talent levels. Both approaching 70, they are the most unlikely of guitar heroes. “We’re gray-haired old men still in the rock ‘n’ roll business,” Fels said. “But at least we’re not wearing spandex!” Visit their shop and you’ll find that age has no relevance. Fels and Montgomery, in their bushy white beards, hold court while teens, 20- and 30-somethings watch over their shoulders as the two men do what they do best. Far more than simply build and repair guitars, they get to know each customer: how often you play, whether you play for huge crowds or just in your room, your style and genre of music, and they “tune” your instrument to your needs. If Fels and Montgomery felt they were simply fixing guitars, they would have gotten bored long ago. They empower players by removing the obstacles blocking the way.
“Guitars you buy off the shelf can be very difficult to play; and if you don’t know any better, you think there’s something wrong with you,” Montgomery said. “We make it so you’re more likely to stick with it.” They believe keeping your dream alive is what’s kept their dream alive. The bond and partnership they’ve formed has been invaluable. Just don’t ask them to admit it. We’ve found a formula that works,” Montgomery said. “I stay in the back, he stays in the front!” The two seldom take time off. “The only regret I have is that Doug and I didn’t take more vacations,” Fels said. “I think we’ve each had a long weekend just three or four times in 40 years.” Still, what they’ve accomplished is nothing short of amazing. Two lifelong friends, who started a business with nothing but determination, talent and compassion, have brightened lives for others and created extraordinary lives for themselves.
Photo: Jacob Langston
IN E VERY IS SUE : O GRO D IW NIANRGY BPO EO LD PE LR EW LIV I TI H N G E X T R AO R D I N A R Y L I V E S
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Michael Ochs Archives / Handout via Getty Images
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The Ace of Cups Band signs deal 50 years after opening for Jimi Hendrix Bill Shafer
Denise Kaufman shared the stage with Jimi Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane and the Grateful Dead. But while those groups went on to become the immortals of rock, Kaufman’s group, Ace of Cups, inexplicably vanished from memory. If you can’t remember any of their songs, it’s because they never made a record. Why they were never offered a recording contract is one of the greatest mysteries of the era. Formed in Haight-Ashbury, during the Summer of Love, the Ace of Cups was the first all-woman rock band from the San Francisco Bay area scene. Critics, including “Rolling Stone” magazine, said the group had it all: quality songs, fivepart harmonies and energetic, live performances. Mary Gannon (bass), Marla Hunt (organ, piano), Kaufman (guitar, harmonica), Mary Ellen Simpson (lead guitar) and Diane Vitalich (drums) were not in it for stardom, they were in it for the music. Kaufman believes the industry wasn’t quite ready for a band of women rockers. “It was almost unheard of for a woman to play drums or guitar,” Kaufman remembers. “And we were happy to create a new imagery to break that gender stereotype.” By 1972, the band members had moved on. Gannon became a music teacher, Vitalitch became a shiatsu practitioner, Simpson became a mental health caseworker and Kaufman became a yoga instructor with clients that included Madonna, Quincy Jones and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Still, the band members always wondered what might have happened if they had the chance to make a record. Fifty years later, they got that chance. The Cups were booked to play the 75th birthday celebration of iconic Woodstock counterculture peace activist, Wavy Gravy. The founder of High Moon Records happened to catch their performance and did what the Ace of Cups had been anticipating for 50 years — he signed them to a recording contract. All the original members, except for keyboardist Hunt, participated. The first of three albums was released in 2018, the second in June 2020, both to great critical acclaim. The third is still to come. The Ace of Cups, all women in their 70s, proved they still can rock and showed that it is never too late to realize your dreams. “I hope we inspire people to keep doing what they love,” Kaufman said. “I think ageism is a bigger glass ceiling than sexism. We hope to help break through.” The Ace of Cups waited half a century for their chance. Now in their 70s, they intend to make the most of it. “I believe that cultures that don’t honor and appreciate their elders are very shortsighted,” Kaufman said. “We have much to offer, and we still can rock.”
DEFY
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WISDOM OF THE INNER WITNESS Mindfulness Practice for Beginners Emily Thompson
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Do you feel stressed at the end of the day? Do you wake up feeling anxious about all the obligations of the day ahead? Do you feel frustrated by the patterns of interaction with the people in your life? Learn how to feel better mentally, emotionally and physically by developing your own mindfulness practice to fit your lifestyle. Mindfulness practice teaches us how to listen to the wisdom of our bodies and emotions, and how to reframe our circumstances and experience more peace. Becoming aware of the mind-body connection gives us power to experience our emotional lives in a new way—from a place of intentional response rather than knee-jerk reaction. The small voice inside us that observes our lives and our thoughts without judgment is the “witness” in mindfulness practices. Creating space in our lives to tune into the wisdom of the witness can help us transform our lives from the inside out.
Inner Witness
Observing your own mind, without judgment from an objective distance. Mindfulness practice helps develop this capacity incrementally for reduced stress, better sleep, more focus and improved mood.
Young children can teach us a lot about mindfulness. As they explore their world, they have no preconceptions about how things and people “should” be. They observe and participate without judgment. As they experience patterns of behavior from other people, and observe cause and effect in the physical world, they start to construct their own reality. They’re constantly updating this understanding of reality with new information, naturally. Can I count on my family to take care of me? Is there anything I can do to make them love me more or less? Is the world a safe place or a place to fear? What rules must be followed and what rules may be bent or broken? How can I get my needs met and feel good as often as possible? These questions influence our behavior at all stages of life, whether we’re conscious of it or not. By middle age, our reality can feel static. We assume we know how the world works and what our place in it is. We define ourselves by our obligations—family, work, financial and community. If we’re lucky, these obligations are fueled by passion and give us a sense of meaning and inner peace. For most of us, the responsibility of our obligations feels stressful most of the time. How do we experience inner peace while keeping all the plates spinning? Mindfulness practice offers us a way to find an oasis of calm despite the demands of our busy lives. It decreases stress and improves sleep. It increases focus and peak performance in work and sports. Neuroplasticity describes the way the brain is physically changed and improved by regular mindfulness practices, no matter our age. The benefits can be realized in as little as a few minutes a day, or they can be explored in extended retreats. Whatever your lifestyle, no matter your schedule, there’s a mindfulness practice to help you hear the wisdom of your own inner witness. CONNECT
The Good Brigade via Getty Images
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Beginner Mindfulness Practices Gratitude Meditation 5-10 minutes
Human brains evolved with a negativity bias that helped our primitive ancestors avoid predators and prepare for disasters. What was beneficial then makes it more difficult for us to focus on the positive in the present. Neuroscientists have discovered that gratitude practices help overcome this negativity bias—and the chronic stress it causes— by training our brain to focus on the positive. Gratitude meditation changes the chemistry of our brain by producing dopamine, the feel-good hormone. This positive reaction trains the brain to look for more reasons to be grateful, to experience the surge of dopamine again and again. Ɂ Sit upright in a chair and take a few deep breaths to center yourself. Ɂ For each thing you bring to your awareness, say to yourself, “For this _____, I am grateful.” Ɂ Cycle your awareness through the four categories below. Express gratitude for several things or people per category. Go slowly enough to observe any feelings or physical sensations that arise. 1. 2. 3. 4.
Immediate physical environment. “For this hot coffee, I am grateful.” Friends, family and your partner. “For my friend who checks on me when I’m sick, I am grateful.” Yourself. We are often our own worst critics. Bring awareness to your positive traits. “For my ability to make people feel encouraged, I am grateful.” Difficult people. Every interaction carries within it an opportunity to learn more about ourselves and others — if we can observe from the inner witness rather than react from negative emotions. Practicing gratitude for difficult people trains us to be more compassionate and less reactive. “For my neighbor who never waves back, I am grateful.”
Body Scan Meditation 5 minutes
Tune into the sensations in each part of your body, starting with your feet and moving up to your head. This can be done sitting in a chair or lying in bed. Feel the support of the floor/bed under your feet. Notice the twinge in your ankle from your nightly run. Move your attention up through your legs, torso, arms, neck, face and scalp. When your mind wanders, bring your attention back to the sensation in the next part of your body.
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Breathing Meditation 5-20 minutes
Meditating on the breath can be done anywhere. Ideally, you should meditate sitting in a chair without distraction, but you can even do it while sitting in traffic. The inner witness is the part of yourself that is aware of the thoughts but chooses to let them come and go instead of ruminating on them. Meditating on the breath helps us to pay attention to our awareness of the present moment. With practice, this ability to experience pure awareness helps us to notice the inner witness in everyday life. We learn to notice our emotions and the emotions of others without judgment. This helps us to respond rather than to react to the circumstances and people in our life — giving us a growing sense of peace. Ɂ Inhale deeply for three seconds, hold the breath for two seconds and exhale for four seconds. Take a few deep, cleansing breaths until you feel settled and centered. Ɂ Then let your breath come and go naturally. Notice the sensation of each inhale and exhale in your nostrils, your rib cage and your diaphragm. Ɂ As you focus on the breath, thoughts will pop up. That’s OK! Ɂ Let your inner witness observe the thoughts without judgment. Ɂ Imagine the thoughts are clouds moving across the sky of our awareness. They are temporary and passing. Ɂ Bring your attention back to the breath as often as necessary. Ɂ Notice emotions and physical sensations that arise, without judgment.
DjelicS via Getty Images
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Yoga for Shoulder Tension
“Yoga can be done every day to help alleviate tension, because it’s easy on the joints and body,” says Beth Morris, group fitness instructor at the Peggy and Philip B. Crosby Wellness Center for Health & Wellbeing in Winter Park, Florida. “It can help create more flexibility and strength,” Morris said. “I have had so many clients benefit from yoga over the years; and it’s something that no matter where you are on your fitness journey, you can do it.” These five yoga poses will focus on your shoulders to restore the healthy posture to your upper back. Incorporating this routine regularly can help reduce the strain placed on your muscles and shoulders. Break out the yoga mat and give them a try!
Lifelong learning – good for body, mind and soul Michael Cloutier
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Eagle arms
Windmill
Stand with feet a shoulder-width apart. Bend your elbows and cross your arms left over right, placing your right hand fingers in the palm of your left hand. Hold for 10 seconds and repeat with the other side.
Stand with your feet spread apart, bend at the waist and place one hand on the ground keeping your arm straight. Take the other hand and hold it right above you, opening your chest to one side. Hold for a few seconds and switch to the other hand.
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Chest and shoulder opener Stand tall with your feet together. Place your arms behind you while interlocking your hands. Bend your elbows and push out slightly. Angle your head slightly, looking up at the ceiling, opening your chest.
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Humble warrior Place one foot behind you angled to the side with the other out in front. Place your arms behind you while interlocking your hands. Bend your elbows and push out slightly, similar to the chest opener. Hold for a few seconds and then bend at the waist to be parallel with the floor, holding the position for a few seconds before coming up and releasing.
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Camel pose into child’s pose You will really want the yoga mat for this one, because you will start on your knees. Look toward the sky and raise both hands at a slight angle. Hold for a few seconds before stretching your arms in front of you as you bend forward into the child’s pose. Be sure to keep your back straight and stretch out your arms as far as you can.
Photos: Jacob Langston
HEAL
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The Evolution of Home Workouts Exercise equipment for small spaces Jonathan Taylor
For muscle restriction & tightness S K L Z TA R G E T E D M A S S AG E B A L L . This tool is highly effective in working on
small, acute areas of the body that tend to be affected by prolonged sitting and/or less than ideal posture. Think of it as a self-massage tool for pinpoint accuracy. Areas such as the upper shoulders and neck, chest, hips, as well as the butt, can get chronically tight, causing aches, pain and even postural problems. Start addressing your common areas of tightness; and with time, witness the body’s self-healing power. Find the targeted massage ball at SKLZ.com
G R I D FOA M R O L L E R . A ball for the smaller areas, a roller for the bigger ones!
This roller is similar to the massage ball. The only difference is its ability to cover more of a large surface area. The quadriceps (front of legs), the hamstrings (back of legs), the upper back and more can receive much relief and even increased mobility by using this roller. It’s also a great way to warm up the body for an upcoming workout. Spend a minute or two on each major area. This travel sized barrel roller is available at triggerpoint.implus.com
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G R O W I N G B O L D E R / D I G I TA L D I G E S T
In these times of increased challenge and stress, with our health being assaulted from seemingly every direction, one of the greatest things we can do to combat these risks is to stay vigilant of mind and to keep exercising. Staying active, working out and frequent bouts of moderate to vigorous exertion does the mind and body good. Exercising several times a week reduces stress by positively affecting hormone levels, by decreasing
inflammation and by supplying the body’s cells with a fresh burst of oxygen. Additionally, it helps with the removal of cellular toxins. But what if you are stuck at home and can’t get to the gym? Well, you’re in luck! Many products on the market today can help you replicate gym-quality workouts at home, without taking up much space. These five, highly versatile exercise tools can supply limitless workout variations.
Full body workout at home T R X H O M E 2 S Y S T E M . Want a home gym that can fit into a small bag? Then
check out the TRX Home2 System. This apparatus with two handles is incredibly versatile and can provide the user with over 100 exercise variations. The TRX is a form of suspension training that uses your body weight to create countless workouts. And every exercise requires you to use your core. Even better, right? Squatting, hinging, pushing and pulling can all be done with this one piece. Whether you are an avid gym rat, or just a beginner, the TRX offers something for everyone! For pricing and more information, visit trxtraining.com
R O G U E K E T T L E B E L L S . What can a cast iron ball with a handle do for your
health? Only provide you with some of the most beneficial exercises you can find, along with helping the body burn calories for hours on end! It might look intimidating at first, but learning how to use a kettlebell will expand your exercise horizons exponentially. Although seemingly limitless exercises can be learned with a kettlebell, it is most known for the “Swing,” in which the body utilizes all your backside muscles to thrust the kettlebell through the legs via the hips. This strengthens key posterior muscles, including your butt, which can help prevent or alleviate low back pain. Price varies by size at roguefitness.com/rogue-kettlebells
R O G U E M E D I C I N E B A L L S . Medicine balls can offer much needed exercise
variations, as well as provide numerous cardiovascular benefits. These medicine balls can be slammed, thrown, held and placed overhead. Also, when used to increase heart rate, such as in a slam-and-catch in place, you can receive the same benefit as you would running around the block. Try mixing it up and have a ball doing it! Price varies by size at roguefitness.com/rogue-medicine-balls
Always consult your doctor before beginning a new exercise program. Be sure to follow manufacturer safety guidelines and visit manufacturers’ websites for instructional information on proper form. AlexeySulima via Getty Images
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Simple Elegance Regan Jones, R.D.
Pork medallions are one of those hidden secrets of the food world—they look special on a plate but are simple to make. Just slice the pork tenderloin, sear the medallions in a skillet and top with a flavorful juice. They cook in no time, and the pork pairs well with the fruitiness of the juice as a sauce. This recipe uses a combination of polyphenol-rich pomegranate juice and dried berries, but you could easily change it up with another juice, such as apple, and another dried fruit, such as dried tart cherries. Use whatever you have on hand!
DIREC TIONS
Pork Medallions with Pomegranate-Berry Sauce 4 servings
INGREDIENTS 1 cup pomegranate juice 1 tablespoon Dijon or coarse-grained mustard 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1/2 cup dried mixed berries 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives 1 (1 1/4-pound) pork tenderloin, trimmed and cut crosswise into 1-inch-thick medallions Salt and pepper 1 tablespoon olive oil Garnish: chopped parsley or additional chives
Serving size: 376 calories 8g total fat, 19g total carbohydrate, 33g protein, 321 mg sodium
CONNECT
1. Combine pomegranate juice, mustard, brown sugar, soy sauce, berries and chives in a small microwave-safe bowl. Heat in the microwave on high for 1 minute and let stand while pork cooks. 2. Warm a large skillet over medium-high heat; season pork on both sides with salt and pepper. Add oil to pan; add pork and cook until deeply golden, about 3 minutes. Turn and cook until just cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes longer. Transfer to a platter, cover and keep warm. 3. Pour berry mixture into skillet, stirring to release brown bits from bottom of pan. Simmer until liquid has reduced by about half (or about 2 to 3 minutes). Spoon sauce over pork and serve immediately.
Regan Jones has been blazing trails as a female entrepreneur for more than a decade. An award-winning registered dietitian with 20 years of experience in the food media and marketing world, she has amassed a brand portfolio of websites, podcast and influencer networks that reach millions. Her latest passion project, a podcast called This Unmillennial Life, offers a roadmap through midlife for women who’ve fallen into a generational gap.
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