Middle Tennessee
Page 8
Mans Best Friend Your guide to Happiness How Pets bring Happiness to Everyone
Page 12
Tree Camping Hanging High in the Sky in Coastal Redwoods Trees
S p e c ia l P et
Oct 2017
LIFESTYLES
S e ct i o n
Co n t e n t s
LIFESTYLES ISSUE: 10
Oct 2017
Find
Happiness
With a Pet
on the cover
READ MORE ON > PAGE 8 > article by Travis Manney
Fall
Pumpkins
Depression &
> PAGE 6
> PAGE 4
Tree Camping in
Food the Prevent
Cancer
On a beautiful sunny morning, a man found a cocoon of a butterfly. The next day a small opening appeared. He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could, and it could go no further. So the man decided to help the butterfly. He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily. But it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings. The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time.
LIFESTYLES
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LIFESTYLES
Coastal Redwoods > PAGE 12
> PAGE 10
BUTTERFLY COCOON
Exercise
Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly. What the man, in his kindness and haste, did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening were God’s way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon. As we go through life we should keep in mind that struggling is an important part of any growth experience. In fact, it is that struggle that causes us to develop our ability to fly. If God allowed us to go through our lives without any obstacles, it would cripple us.
Meet the Staff of Lifestyles 55+ Publishers: Greg Bounds Garrett Epps
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Lifestyles 55+ is published monthly P.O. Box 1904 Spring Hill, TN 37174 Copyright 2017 by Lifestyles 55+. No part of this publication can be reproduced without the written, expressed consent of the publisher. Reproduction of editorial content or graphics in any manner or in any medium is prohibited. Opinions of staff & contributing writers do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Contact the publishers of Lifestyles 55+ via e-mail at greg@lifestyles55tn.com, or call (615) 571-7437
Letters to the Editor are Welcome – send signed letters to: Lifestyles 55+ Magazine P.O. Box1904 Spring Hill, TN 37174. Please include a phone number for verification (it will not be published). E-mail letters to greg@lifestyles55tn.com. The Editor reserves the right to edit for length, style and spelling. Postmaster : Send address changes to Lifestyles 55+ P.O. Box 1904 Spring Hill, TN 37174
y r F r i t SYour Way
This stir fry recipe is for those who like a variety of different proteins in their diet. You can use chicken, pork, steak, fish, shrimp, scallops or tofu! The protein options are almost endless as well as the different veggies you can use. The noodles I like to use are Soba noodles; they are made of buckwheat and are very healthy and good for clean eating. The recipe is a basic and can be changed to your liking. This is just to give you the flavor profile, but you can do it exactly like this and it’s great!
Ingredients: • 1 small onion sliced thin • 1 red bell pepper sliced thin • 1 rib celery sliced • 1 cup chopped celery • 2 cloves garlic sliced
• 2 cups cooked diced chicken • 3-4 cups broccoli • 1 cup sugar snaps peas • 2 tsp olive oil • 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 pack or three bunches of noodles cook per instructions on package before adding a little under cooked is best so noodle hold form
To Make: Do the mix first and then heat Wok or large skillet and add both oils, after that add the onion and peppers cook for about 2 minutes and then add garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Add the remaining ingredients but noodles and then the sauce and cook until the broccoli is tender and then add noodles stir and enjoy!
Fall Pumpkins
GET A PUMPKIN WITH A STEM Pumpkins grow on vines and rest on the ground, so the stem is never meant to support the fruit’s weight; a pumpkin without a stem means it’s been handled—or more likely mishandled—a lot. To ensure you’re getting the freshest pumpkin, look for one with a greenish stem. “If a pumpkin has been sitting around, the stems will dry out and get brittle,” Evan says. “The greener the stems the better. We also s. like when they have a big, thick stem, which is an indication that the walls of the pumpkin will be thick as well. The thicker the stem, the heavier the pumpkin and the better it is for carving or sculpting.
LEAVE THE TOP ON HAVE A PLAN Drawing out what you plan to do before you ever make a cut on your pumpkin. We’ll print out a bunch of references to get inspiration,” he says. “And then we’ll draw our design with a pen onto the pumpkin and start carving away
DON’T DISMISS A WEIRLY SHAPED PUMPKIN Part of the fun of pumpkin carving is that pumpkins come in so many shapes and sizes. We actually almost prefer some of the really awkward ones. They can inspire some unique designs.
KEEP A WATER BOTTLE HANDY Pumpkins don’t oxidize as fast as an apple or avocado would, but if you leave it out on the counter over the course of just one day, you do see the change in the structure of the pumpkin. It’s losing a lot of moisture, so one thing we do while carving is we’re constantly spraying it, trying to keep it wet. That helps it to stay workable.
Removing the top not only messes with the structural integrity of the pumpkin, it also cuts off the vine, which supplies the fruit with nutrients and moisture until it’s all dried out. “When you cut around it, you’re kinda cutting off that lifeline that’s keeping the pumpkin fresh,” Evan says. “So we like to keep that intact.” Likewise, cutting off the bottom is a bad idea because “pumpkins give off so much water when you cut them that all that liquid can start oozing out onto the table or whatever surface the pumpkin is on and really make a mess.” Evan favors cutting a hole in the back of the pumpkin instead.
SCOOP EVERYTHING OUT. AND WE MEAN EVERYTHING Leaving bits of pumpkin goop inside your jack o’lantern is a big no-no. Those are gonna start getting moldy and then it’ll spread to the walls of the pumpkin.
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LIFESTYLES
Word Search We hope you have a great Halloween. Find these words in the scramble to the left while thinking of how much fun you will have! PUMPKINS
TRICK
HALLOWEEN
HOLIDAY
GHOST
HARVESTED FULLMOON CANDY
TREAT
COSTUMES BLACKCAT
K Y C Y I P R Y TW S H P S C V XQ F H J C F U F E KW B L Y N L W
L D X T V I I P R I V L X A X U R
T C N F Z O V Y G C B L E Y G Y U
D O G A N T P V V H V M J I S O Q
T S Y J C E E N P J C O L C X W R
S A Q X F W E U U N S O D M U G K
O P P E N Z M W R P C N Q F Z Y G
H F Y R P P S Y O Q C W Y S I P O
G N V K K Z K U Y L Q W H S N X E
C M N I S W A V S Y L N H Y P X F
U O N V D E T S E V R A H M Y F K
H S S L C O X I P H O Q H A U N T
O X P T Q W V L J C N N D F T C A
X O K U U J N B U W B I T J H S S
Z Z N O H M S F U E L R F S N Z W
N D I F X Q E V R O E T I C T U Q
O D R Y V W V S H A C N X B Z X W
LIFESTYLES
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B L A C K C A T T X E B F G J T X
Depression
Is Exercise a Cure?
BY: aaROn POtts You'd be surprised how many people around you are clinically depressed. During my career, I've trained many people who suffered from depression. My hunch is you probably know someone right now who is struggling with depression.
THE GOOD NEWS Duke University conducted a study on the effects of drugs and exercise as a treatment for people with major depression. They took a group of people with major depression and split them into three control groups. One group was given medication only. The second group took medication and performed thirty minutes of brisk exercise three times a week. The third group did exercise only. The results showed that exercising three times per week for thirty minutes was just as effective in relieving symptoms as taking medication. Next, the study found that after six months the "exercise only" group was less likely to relapse. Only eight percent of patients in the exercise group had their depression return, while 38 percent of the drug-only group and 31 percent of the exercise-plus-drug group relapsed. Whoa, now those are impressive statistics in favor of exercise.
THE BAD NEWS Unfortunately, the most often prescribed long-term treatment for clinical depression is drug therapy. There is no question that in some cases drug therapy is crucial and absolutely required. However, I also know in many cases, it is not. In my opinion, exercise is one massive step in eliminating depression. In my experience, I’ve also found that we do need some additional steps. Pg. 6
LIFESTYLES
Four Drug-Free Steps that can Reduce or Eliminate Depression: 1. Remove yourself from stressful environment(s). 2. Start exercising regularly. 3. Look inward and determine what is causing you to be out of balance. 4. Have the courage to make the life changes required. The body wants to be healthy, and when given a chance, it will perform miracles. The first thing you need to do is remove yourself from stressors (ie: away from work), so the body can begin to settle down and heal. This puts you back in a position of having some control over your daily life. If you've been depressed, you know how little control you felt you had at times. Next, when you begin to exercise, the body immediately releases, from its own perfect pharmacy, "feel good drugs." So, the more you exercise, the better you feel. Exercise also makes you stronger. Since the body and mind are intimately linked, what happens to one affects the other. In other words, the stronger the body, the stronger the mind, and confidence levels go up. Exercise has also been proven to improve brain function. Those of you who’ve had depression know how scatterbrained and forgetful you can be at times. With increased mental strength and clarity, you can now begin to look inward to determine what is causing your imbalance. Once you’ve done this, you can decide to make the life changes required.
Can it Really Work that Way? I said earlier that I’ve worked with many clients who had clinical depression. I am very proud to report that through regular exercise, and the resulting courage to change, the majority of those clients got off their anti-depressant medication(s). Caution: Sometimes people find that the source of their depression is being in a job or relationship that is out of integrity for them. It takes strength to change in these areas. Remember, drugs can only mask the problem. Solving the problem requires a deep look inward, and the courage by: Carlos Montenegro to change. In my opinion, anyone who chooses to reclaim their life is a hero. If you know someone with depression, encourage them to exercise. There is light at the end of the tunnel. This article is in no way meant to be a prescription for treating depression. If you are considering treatment for depression or modifying your medications in any way, consult your physician.
“If you could only sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to the people you may never even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person.” — Fred Rogers
Live Life To The Fullest Trish Gomez RD, CPT Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist C e r t i f i e d P e r s o n a l Tr a i n e r Corrective Exercise Specialist
Nutrition and exercise plans for I m p r o v e d m o b i l i t y, b a l a n c e , s t r e n g t h , a n d s t a m i n a R e n e w e d e n e r g y, v i t a l i t y, a n d e n d u r a n c e
( 6 1 5 ) 4 7 6 - 5 2 2 7 t r i s h @ t r i s h g o m e z . c o m c a l l t o s e t u p Photo a f r e ebypKaryn h o n e Photography consultation
Find
BY: tRaVis ManneY
Happiness
With a Pet Thinking about adding a furry or feathered member to your family? Pets can provide perks no matter what your age. Maybe that’s why 62% of households in the U.S. already have one. It’s true care and feeding a dog, cat, or even a goldfish can cost money and time. The two things families are always short on. But the unconditional love and boost to your well-being that a pet can bring may well be worth your investment.
HeRe’s HOW Pets — esPeCiallY DOgs Can iMPROVe YOUR HealtH anD HaPPiness: a pet is good for your Heart: High levels of cholesterol and triglycerides can up your risk of heart disease, but owning a cat or dog can lower both, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Owning a cat or dog can also increase your chances of surviving a heart attack. pets lower stress and depression: Stroking your cat or dog can lower your blood pressure and make you feel calmer. Even watching fish can ease tense muscles. Playing with your pet increases the levels of the feel-good chemicals serotonin and dopamine in your brain. Maybe that’s why people recover from a stressful situation more quickly when they’re with their pets than with their partners or friends, a study done by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found. pets connect you to a community: Dogs, like babies, are conversation starters. On walks, you’re bound to stop for a chat or two with other dog owners. Pets also give you the chance to meet like-minded owners at the vet, pet store, or training classes. There’s even a chance to connect online, where you can find forums and Facebook fan pages devoted to individual dog and cat breeds.
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LIFESTYLES
pets get you moving: You can’t be a couch potato when you have a dog. Walking a dog regularly means you’re less likely to be obese and more likely to be physically active, the NIH has found. The benefits continue to pay off as you age. One study followed 2,500 adults, 71 to 82 years old. The result: Those who took their dogs out regularly had more physical stamina & energy; they walked faster and for longer periods of time and had more mobility inside the house. Another plus: All that time outdoors increases your vitamin D levels and helps keep your bones strong. pets a source of comfort: People may need people to live a richer life, but pets can provide many of the same perks, according to a study published by the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Pet owners had greater self-esteem and were better able to bounce back from rejection, the study found. Of course, not everyone is cut out to be pet owner. If you feel you can’t spare the time or funds, reap the rewards of pet ownership by fostering a rescued animal or by volunteering at a shelter. You’ll be helping animals in need and finding a sense of purpose in the process — and that’s a win-win for everyone
4 Health Benefits Of Dogs 1. Help you lose weight Want to drop a few pounds? Grab Fido and get hoofing. Research has repeatedly found that daily dog walks help you lose weight since they force you to into moderate physical activity for 10, 20, and even 30 minutes at a time. 2. Improve your social life As we age, it becomes harder to get out and meet people. Not so for dog owners. Researchers have found that about 40 percent make friends more easily, possibly because the vast majority speak with other dog owners during walks.
3. Add meaning and purpose As we grow older, especially after we retire, it can be difficult to find structure and meaning day in and day out. Dogs take care of that. 4. Prevent grandkids’ allergies Back in the olden days (the ‘90s), experts believed having a dog in your home contributed to children’s allergies. Fortunately, recent research shows just the opposite is true: Dogs and cats actually lower a child’s chance of becoming allergic to pets—up to 33 percent.
When Dogs Are Not So Great According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), just over 86,000 falls per year are caused by pets ― 88 percent by dogs. Falls can be cataclysmic health events for people who are older, frequently leading to serious injury (broken hips, etc.) and long hospital stays. If you’re looking to adopt, consider mobility issues, and make sure to take steps to reduce the dangers of falls.
Foods
That Prevent Cancer 3 Green Giants of the Food World
foods or w a r , d o o f st revent her it is fa t p e t h a h w t , s is d s o ba BY JOYCe O'BRien here are fo eases as well. t on a daily s w ie o d n o k b u r o put into ou . For instance, did y ent other chronic dis disease. e w t a h t s t s The food o help prev hat can help preven effect on u ls n a a n e a v c a s h d t , o ods se same fo nts in the food world e h organic fo t , t h ig r en gia u read cancer? Yo we will explore 3 gre 3 - Wheatgrass le, In this artic
1 - Broccoli
The first green giant of foods that prevent cancer is broccoli. According to an article by J. Cohen published by the National Cancer Institute in 1992, a researcher at Johns Hopkins University announced the discovery of a compound found in broccoli that prevented the further development of tumors by 60% in participants as well as reduced the size of existing tumors? by 75%. Broccoli also contains Vitamin C, Fiber, Calcium, Vitamin K, Beta-Carotene and much more, it is also a great source of iron for those that do not eat meat.
2 - Spinach The second green giant of foods that prevent cancer is spinach. Spinach is a powerful food. It contains Vitamins C and E, Beta-Carotene, B vitamins, Calcium, iron and many more natural minerals and nutrients. Spinach has been shown to help protect the eyes from age-related degeneration. Spinach, as well as other green vegetables, is high in potassium and low in sodium. Along with the mixture of plant-derived omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and other minerals, spinach is great for lowering your blood pressure.
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LIFESTYLES
The second green giant and perhaps most powerful of foods that prevent cancer is wheatgrass. Wheat Grass is one of the most beneficial complete foods there is. It is very high in chlorophyll and provides natural detoxification. The chlorophyll found in a liquid ounce of wheatgrass and other leafy greens not only cleanses and builds blood, but research now shows that it may also assist in offsetting the adverse effects of radiation. Wheatgrass is one molecule away from hemoglobin in the human blood so it is the closest we can come to a blood transfusion without actually getting a blood transfusion. Now that is a powerful food! Wheatgrass is high in oxygen like all green plants as it contains chlorophyll. The brain and other tissue in the body function at an optimal level in a highly-oxygenated environment. Science has proven that chlorophyll stops growth and development of unfriendly bacteria and can assist in increasing low red cell count. It is so nutritionally condensed that 15 pounds of Wheat Grass is the equivalent of 350 pounds of carrot, lettuce, celery, and other juices.
The above 3 types of food are just a few of the green giants in foods that prevent cancer and there are many others. Remember, the foods -- good and bad - that we put into our bodies affect us. Make the right choice.
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Almost of adults 40-59 years of age, many of whom work full time, are juggling the responsibility of caring for both an elderly parent and dependent children. While rewarding in many ways, burnout is not uncommon ... you are not alone.
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Travel & Destinations
Tree Camping
Though tree camping is increasingly popular all across the world, Elk, California is the premiere destination for it in the United States. In many places in California, tree campers use the portaledge style tents for tree camping originally designed for rock climbers that need a place to sleep while climbing a sheer rock ledge. This method suspends a fabric tent with a metal frame using suspension cables to raise and lower the tent accordingly. However, a fabric tent doesn’t do much for those looking to tree camp for the view. Tree campers in Elk and other locations of the Pacific Coast have modified this method so that instead of fabric, the tent is little more than mosquito nets. Suspension cables are still attached to a metal frame that creates a “treeboat” bed that can be plain or padded with raised sides just in case campers tend to roll around when they sleep. After campers have their tent, all they need to do is find a big tree with strong branches, something that Elk has no shortage of. Elk, California is filled with coastal Redwoods and ancient Cyprus trees that are perfect for tree camping in. Though getting the suspension able fastened to a sturdy branch can be a bit of a task. There is one obvious question about tree camping that few ever address: how does one get into a tent that is suspended in the air? Some tents come with ladders, but those are for the tree
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camping tents that are just barely off the ground. The tents most commonly used in Elk use ropes to ascend and descend from the tent. This makes tree camping restricted to those who are in fairly good shape, considering visitors both have to climb a tree to secure the tent then climb a rope to get in and out of it. I guess the rope climbing section of gym class really was teaching some real world skills after all.
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WHAT AND WHEN TO CHECK Chances are you get your car tuned regularly, never skip an oil change, and keep it buffed and polished till it sparkles. But are you taking such good care of yourself? Our busy lives and work schedules often prevent us from seeking routine preventive care. Based on your individual health conditions, your doctor will determine which tests you should have, and how often to have them, but in general, the medical exams suggested below will help keep you a finely-tuned machine throughout your life.
In Your 50s
• Annual physical exam by your primary care physician, including blood pressure, and height/weight checks • Screening for testicular cancer, including monthly self-exams • Cholesterol testing every 5 years • Annual screening for Type II diabetes • Depending on risk factors, your doctor may recommend screening for skin cancer, oral cancer, lung cancer, sexually transmitted diseases, and alcohol abuse • Screening for lipid disorders • Annual electrocardiogram • Vision and hearing examinations • Screening for prostate cancer • Screening for colon cancer with fecal occult blood testing, sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy at age 50 • Screening for coronary heart disease in individuals with strong family history and/ or risk factors • Screening for depression
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LIFESTYLES
In Your 60s
• Annual physical exam by your primary care physician, including blood pressure, and height/weight checks • Screening for testicular cancer, including monthly self exams • Screening for prostate cancer • Screening for lipid disorders • Annual electrocardiogram • Discuss with your physician screening for coronary heart disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and carotid artery ultrasound screening • Vision and hearing examinations • Screening for osteoporosis • Depending on risk factors, your doctor may recommend screening for skin cancer, oral cancer, lung cancer sexually transmitted diseases, and alcohol abuse • Continue colorectal screening based upon previous studies and results • Screening for depression • Screening for dementia and Alzheimer's disease
70s and Up
• Annual physical exam by your primary care physician, including blood pressure, and height/weight checks • Screening for testicular cancer, including monthly self-exams • Screening for prostate cancer • Screening for lipid disorders • Annual electrocardiogram • Discuss with your physician screening for coronary heart disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and carotid • artery ultrasound screening • Vision and hearing examinations • Screening for osteoporosis • Continue colorectal screening based upon previous studies and results. General screening until age 75. Discuss with your physician screening if aged 76-85 years old. Screening is not recommended for those greater than 85 years of age. • Depending on risk factors, your doctor may recommend screening for skin cancer, oral cancer, lung cancer, sexually transmitted diseases, and alcohol abuse • Screening for depression • Screening for dementia and Alzheimer's disease
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