m a g a z i n e
2017
LIFESTYLES Page 10
Mans Best Friend
Your guide to Happiness How Pets bring Happiness to Everyone Page 14
Tree Camping
Hanging High in the Sky in Coastal Redwoods Trees
John Folse
Chef
Celebrating Louisiana’s Cuisine and Culture
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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!
Co n t e n t s
LIFESTYLES
Your City’s Name 2017
on the cover
Chef John Folse Celebrating Louisiana’s Cuisine photographed by Back Images READ MORE ON > PAGE 8 > article by Mary Bounds
Beauty
Fall into
Mans Best
> PAGE10
> PAGE 6
Tree Camping in
Diabetes
Take Control 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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Pg. 4
LIFESTYLES
Coastal Redwoods > PAGE 14
> PAGE 12
BUTTERFLY COCOON
Friend
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.
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Contributing Writers: Mary Bounds, Michelle Carollo, Becky Rolland, Marelia Rocasco, Jessica Valenzuela
Lifestyles 55+ is published monthly P.O. Box 752 Slidell, LA 70459
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 ps@lifestyles55.com, or call (504) 352-1221 +
Letters to the Editor are Welcome – send signed letters to: Lifestyles 55+ Magazine P.O. Box 752 Slidell, LA 70459. Please include a phone number for verification (Or it will not be published). E-mail letters to Jdoe@lifestyles55.com. The Editor reserves the right to edit for length, style and spelling. Postmaster : Send address changes to Lifestyles 55+ P.O. Box 752 Slidell, LA 70459
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Health & Beauty
Fall Into Beauty
When fall finally hits home, it’s so long bikini and hello pumpkin spiced lattes! There’s also a switch from bright and light makeup trends to warmer, deeper colors. Here is a sampling of this year’s up-and-coming makeup trends and tips.
Sun-kissed Skin
Pucker Up
Darker foundations and warmer shades of blush give the appearance of a fresh tan from the beach. The key here is to blend your makeup well enough to make your face look natural. That’s right; 365 days of a South Beach glow and without the UV rays! Using a damp beauty blender after you’ve applied your foundation will give the finishing touch to this all natural look. Tip: Keep the sponge damp. That way it won’t absorb any of the makeup you just applied to your face.
Dark lipstick is always a fad in the fall and winter months, but this year, try layering a black lipstick with a bright red or berry. Blend it in with your finger, and you will have a dark, stained wine look. Muah!
Orange You Glad You Wore Eye Shadow? Believe it or not, orange is really flattering on the eyes! Blending it with pinks and reds will give you that “sunset” look. Make sure to stay with colors that go well with your skin tone. If you’re lighter skinned, stick with lighter shades of orange. If your skin is darker, you can play with darker tones, such as a burnt orange.
Let’s Get Hairy People tend to run straight for the curling iron and hair straightener. This fall, why not stick to a more natural look? Shape your hair to work for you by cutting it in ways that will bring out your natural beauty. If you have fine or thin hair, try a short bob with some layers for that recently blow-dried look. Can you say posh? For thicker hair, we recommend long layers with tapered bangs and a middle part. The bangs will grow nicely with the layers, and a middle part will elongate your face.
IN THR NUDE-RAL Nude colored nails or even bare nails are becoming more popular. This fall, we thought we’d spice it up a bit with a matte top coat. Try shades of taupe, tan or cream. Pg. 6
LIFESTYLES
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John Folse
Chef
Celebrating Louisiana’s Cuisine and Culture
by Mary Bounds, BSN, RN ∙ Photographs by Bach Images Louisiana’s festive gatherings are famous for their flavorful cuisine, skillfully prepared with local ingredients and lovingly served to family and friends with fellowship in mind. Few understand the diverse foods from Louisiana’s backyards and bayous or the local, cultural customs as well as renowned chef, John Folse. Named by the Louisiana Legislature as “Louisiana’s Culinary Ambassador to the World”, Folse is internationally known and readily accepted as a leading authority on Cajun and Creole cuisine and culture.
To call John Folse a chef would not adequately describe this dynamic entrepreneur and culinary giant whose noteworthy awards and accolades easily outnumber the shrimp in an étouffée. Folse launched his career in 1978 with his popular Lafitte’s Landing restaurant in Donaldsonville, then built an impressive, multifaceted empire centered around his beloved Cajun/Creole cooking and culture. Marketing his Louisiana dishes globally, Folse has fed both Pope and Presidents and continues to delight foreign palates with flavors from his kitchen. Today John Folse & Company is engaged in numerous endeavors including food manufacturing, catering, publishing and broadcasting. His popular television series, “A Taste of Louisiana” airs on PBS in the United States and is syndicated internationally.
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Born in July 1946, on the German Coast of the Mississippi River in St. James Parrish, John Folse learned to cook at an early age, using the ingredients available in his surrounding habitat. As one of eight siblings Folse cannot remember a time when he was not helping in the kitchen or working in their garden. According to Folse, his genuine love for cooking was reinforced by the abundant array of indigenous plants and animals near his home which added both flavor and variety to their table. “The swamp was at our back door and the Mississippi River at our front door. We never worried where our next meal was coming from!” Although cooking was a fundamentally inspiring, integral part of Folse’s youth, his childhood was equally enriched and influenced by generations of family and folklore. “We were always surrounded by family; aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins.” Folse explains his ancestors originated from Germany but assimilated quickly into the French culture of the swamplands. His ancestors adopted the French language and eventually changed their name from the original German name “Voltz” to the French name “Folse”. Describing his childhood as a simple, yet happy time, John Folse
felt blessed with a wealth of love from family and neighbors. “Our door was always open. We never met a stranger.” While discussing his own family and culture, Folse explains his early Christmases were not celebrated on December 25th, but on February 25th which is known as Trapper’s Christmas. His father, who was a trapper by trade, left home each November and did not return until late February when
he sold his pelts and hides. On Trapper’s Christmas children received small gifts from “Papa Noel” (the French Santa Claus) while the entire family gathered for a magnificent feast. Folse describes their Christmas table as filled with succulent dishes including roasted goose, meat pies, gumbos, rice dressings and any winter vegetable imaginable. Among their list of desserts were fresh pecan pies, custards, cookies and their favorite German fruitcake (which were started in November and spiked with brandy or some other alcohol). Chef Folse is particularly proud of his family’s fruitcake recipe which was handed down from his great-grandmother, “Nobody ever walks away from my fruitcake. I can promise you!” John Folse recognizes the deeply interwoven relationship between a family’s history, culture and cuisine and finds them difficult if not impossible to separate. He shares his philosophy with students at the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute at Nicholls State University. First, choose the foods from the culture of your people. Next, choose ingredients local to your area, and lastly, practice simplicity. The world often says more
is better, but Folse insists simplicity is better in cooking. Moreover, Chef Folse’s utmost desire is to ignite a passion in the culinary students to understand, preserve and share the origins of one’s culture, foods and family celebrations. “If we don’t teach it, it is lost forever.” In 2010, as John Folse reached the age when many chefs hang up their apron, he partnered with esteemed Chicago Chef Rick Tramonto in a new business venture. Folse admits he was not ready for retirement and ultimately decided, “It’s not too late to start something new.” Together they opened Restaurant R’evolution, a reinterpretation of Cajun and Creole cuisine in New Orleans in 2012, followed by Seafood R’evolution in Ridgeland, MS in 2014. Their restaurant development company, Home on the Range, is working on additional projects for future growth. As for Folse, he couldn’t be happier to share the taste of Louisiana’s cuisine and culture with new patrons and enthusiastically proclaims, “I’m looking ahead!” In early December, just in time for the 2015 holiday season, Chef John Folse plans to release his newest cookbook, “Can You
Dig It?” The latest book in his Cajun and Creole series is dedicated to Louisiana’s love for gardening and covers most anything you’ve ever wanted to know about vegetables. Readers will find chapters on the swamp floor pantry, root vegetables, leafy vegetables, off the vine and exotics. In a news release about his book, Folse reveals that tomatoes take center stage in the “Off the Vine” chapter. “I don’t care if everyone else in the world thinks tomatoes are fruit. In Louisiana, a tomato is a vegetable, and we will give it due homage.” Can you dig it? Chef Folse and his wife Laulie traditionally share Christmas with a close circle of family and friends. This year the food Folse selects for the occasion will have a story or special meaning and will be cooked over his open wood-burning fireplace using antique culinary tools. Before eating their holiday meal Folse says he will tell the story behind the foods and why they were selected. It promises to be a day filled with family, friends and fabulous food rich with Louisiana culture. Chef John Folse continues to feel honored to share his cuisine and culture both locally and globally. His life’s work is indeed a reflection of his passion.
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 DOg 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.
DIABETES TAKE CONTROL First, the good news: Over the last few years, the number of new cases of diabetes in the United States has shown a modest decline. People with diabetes are living longer because of improvements in managing the disease. One of the key reasons that people with diabetes are living longer is that there has been a steady decline in the death rate due to cardiovascular disease. Improvements have also been seen in the tools and medications that people with diabetes can use to manage the disease. Now, the bad news: There are still 1.4 million new cases of diabetes diagnosed every year, and even though we now have better ways to manage diabetes, the financial burden of doing so has increased.
TYPE 1
Less common than type 2, about 5 percent of people with diabetes have type 1. Type 1 diabetes was previously known as “juvenile diabetes” because it’s most often diagnosed in children and young adults. In simple terms, the food you consume is broken down into glucose, which provides the energy your body needs to function properly. The body uses insulin to burn that glucose. When someone has type 1, his or her body does not produce insulin. How it’s treated: Insulin therapy is necessary. Additional medication/treatments may also be used.
TYPE 2
Most common form of diabetes. When
someone has type 2, their body makes insulin but might not make enough and does not use it properly. When the disease first starts, the pancreas produces extra insulin but eventually can’t make enough to maintain normal levels of blood glucose. Glucose then builds up in the blood, where it causes a host of problems rather than going into the cells and providing energy. Type 2 diabetes is generally progressive, with the body’s ability to produce its own insulin declining over time. How it’s treated: Lifestyle changes (diet and exercise). Medication and/or insulin may also be necessary if lifestyle changes aren’t adequate to regulate blood glucose levels. There is no cure, so it’s all about management.
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LIFESTYLES
Diabetes by the Numbers
29.1 MILLION:
AMERICANS WITH DIABETES (8.1 MILLION OF THOSE ARE UNDIAGNOSED)
1.4 MILLION:
NEW CASES OF DIABETES DIAGNOSED ANNUALLY IN THE UNITED STATES
11.8 MILLION:
AMERICANS AGE 65 AND OLDER WITH DIABETES 25.9%
$245 BILLION:
TOTAL COST OF DIAGNOSED DIABETES IN THE UNITED STATES
7TH LEADING
CAUSE OF DEATH IN THE UNITED STATES Source: American Diabetes Association
Lower Your Risk
Take proactive steps to reduce your risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
Reason For Concern Having diabetes puts you at risk for a number of health problems, including:
Cardiovascular disease Adults diagnosed with diabetes are nearly twice as likely to be hospitalized with a heart attack or stroke. Two out of three people with diabetes have high blood pressure, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Eye damage Diabetes can lead to a number of vision problems, including glaucoma, cataracts and disorders of the retina, including macular edema. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults. Kidney disease Diabetes can damage the kidneys, causing them to work harder and, in some cases, to eventually fail altogether, requiring dialysis. Neuropathy Nearly half of all people with diabetes have some form of nerve damage, which, in serious cases, can lead to amputation.
Lose the weight. Maintaining an appropriate body weight range is the No. 1 thing you can do to avoid diabetes. About 85 percent of people who are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese. Talk to your doctor about developing a realistic plan to lose weight.
Eat healthy. It’s about making smart food choices, not starving yourself. For example, the largest portion of your meal should be non-starchy vegetables. Cut back on starchy veggies (corn, potatoes, etc) and include lean protein and small amounts of healthy fats.
Don’t smoke. This seems like a no-brainer, but there are still people who think they can do other things to improve their health without giving up cigarettes. Don’t kid yourself. Smoking raises your blood pressure and your bad cholesterol, damages your lungs and reduces the amount of oxygen needed by your organs to function normally. Because people with diabetes are already at higher risk for cardiovascular disease, smoking is especially bad for them. Get moving. Regular exercise improves blood flow and helps lower blood glucose. Research has shown that light activity spread throughout the day is more beneficial for lipid and glucose metabolism than working out intensely for an hour or two. This is good news for people who physically aren’t able to exercise vigorously, and it pretty much cancels out any excuse you might come up with for not exercising. Look for ways to incorporate more physical movement into each day. Even the smallest activities start adding up. Watch what you’re drinking. Many people consume hundreds of calories a day in beverages alone.
Schedule a diabetes screening test if you have any of the following risk factors: • African-American, Hispanic, American Indian, Asian-American, Pacific Islander
• Family history of type 2 diabetes
• 45 or older
• Gave birth to a baby weighing nine pounds or more
• High blood pressure • HDL cholesterol below 35 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl) or triglyceride level over 250 mg/dl
• Had gestational diabetes when pregnant • Have polycystic ovary syndrome You can also go to diabetes.org/risktest for an online risk assessment
• Sedentary lifestyle • Overweight (body mass index over 25)
PREDIABETES Prediabetes occurs when your blood sugar level is higher than normal but not high enough to warrant a diagnosis of actual diabetes.
Prediabetes is a wake-up call, because, if not addressed, you have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes within the next five to 10 years. You may be able to change your lifestyle and avoid—or at least delay—developing diabetes by getting your blood
sugar number down to a normal level. These lifestyle changes include eating right, regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight. You don’t need a total metamorphosis to see improvement. Just dropping 10 to 15 pounds can make a difference!
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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LIFESTYLES
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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