50+Living NOVEMBER 2020

of Western NC

Grateful For Gratitude | Think—Shocking—Pink | It’s Bread Baking Time 50pluslivingWNC.com

November 2020

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Bloom

Flowers have meaning and can “speak” for us when words are hard to find. The flowers for November are chrysanthemums and peonies.

Chrysanthemums

are often used as center-pieces and accent points in autumn decor. In fact, they are considered to be the “Queen of Fall Flowers.” They represent many feelings such as friendship, love, loyalty, and optimism. They add a cheerful pop of color wherever they bloom. Red chrysanthemums represent love, yellow for both joy and sorrow, and white for loyalty. The daisy-like flower may have a single row of petals or be so ruffly it’s hard to find the center of the flower. They can be as small as a button or so large they resemble pompoms. NASA has found that potted Chrysanthemums can improve air quality. Some Eastern cultures believe that placing a single Chrysanthemum in your glass of wine will bring health and longevity to you. The message of the Chrysanthemum is to believe in your dreams, to honor the cycle of life—at the beginning and at the end—and that not every goodbye is the end.

Peonies

are the epitome of the romantic flower. They also represent prosperity, happiness, honor, good fortune, and compassion.

This classic and sophisticated flower has compact, thick, ruffly blooms and will become so large their stems cannot hold them up. The pink blossoms represent uniqueness and femininity, red is for honor and respect, yellow is for shyness and energy, and white is for positivity, freedom, and peace. White can also represent bashfulness or shame. This is because during the Middle Ages, it was believed that fairies hid deep in the dense petals. Digging a peony plant up would cause the fairies to become upset and bring misfortune to the one who did the digging. The fragrance of peonies is often used in perfumes. Their message is to consider how your actions affect others and always strive to act with honor and respect.

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A Note From the Editor

Happy Thanksgiving! As we celebrate this special day, it is traditional to ponder everything we have to be thankful for. However, embracing gratitude throughout the year can have a lasting impact on our health and happiness. Through my own life, I’ve learned a lot about the power of gratitude. It’s easy to say thank you for clean water, a good job, or tickets to the ballet, but I’ve also learned that just when you think the “worst” thing has happened, you can find something in the situation to be thankful for.

I’ve had relationships that ended, and I’ve been turned down for jobs I wanted. I’ve had life-changing cancer, and two years ago I was hit by a truck in a terrible car crash—which left me with a concussion and whiplash. I know first hand that while in the middle of difficult circumstances, it’s hard to find anything positive to be thankful for!

What I’ve learned through these experiences is that if you intentionally look for blessings, you will find them.

The relationship that ended encouraged me to become a more self-reliant and independent woman. The job I didn’t get led me to another place that offered so many more opportunities of growth in my career. Having cancer forced me to find my strength and showed me who I really am.

The car crash opened the door for me to meet professionals who, in the big picture of my life, have helped me become a healthier person. All of these misfortunes turned out to be blessings.

This month I am especially grateful for Micki Cabiniss Eutsler, publisher of Grateful Steps Foundation. I’ve been working with Micki for several years now on my second children’s book, Mermaid Magic—An Enchanting Story of Secrets and Adventure. I’m excited to the point of giddiness to announce that it is at press and will be available soon!

Embracing gratitude throughout your life can change your perspective on living. Expressing gratitude for others helps them feel appreciated, which then helps them express gratitude—and the circle of gratefulness continues.

Gratitude is truly the foundation of happiness. You can read more ways to express your gratitude for others in Practice Gratitude on page 8 and 9.

Thank you for picking up 50+Living Magazine and for your continued support. If you would like to share your thoughts and ideas with me, please email jeananntaylor@rewnc.com.

By JeanAnn Taylor

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50+Living of Western NC

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.

John F. Kennedy

PUBLISHER Tammy Sheppard publisherofsofia@gmail.com EDITOR JeanAnn Taylor WEB DESIGN Alphie Hyorth

CONTENTS

3 8 10

Taylor’d with Style

13

The Classy Cook

14 16

Bloom

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES Mike Demos 828.273.0098 mikedemos@aol.com Trish Luzzi 828.423.0248 wnccreations@gmail.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Gigi Steel Dave Werle

Practice Gratitude A Pink Legacy

P.O. Box 18416 | Asheville, NC 28814 828.230.7537 50pluslivingWNC.com

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Bring the Outdoors in and Cosy Up Your Home this Autumn Healthy Tech

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Thank you Veterans On November 11, we have the honor of celebrating and saying Thank You to the men and women who have served our country. We honor America’s military veterans for ��������������� and love of country.

It is because of their service and allegiance to America that we live in freedom. When you see an Airman, Soldier, Marine, Sailor, or Space Professional, say

“Thank You!”

November 2020 | 50+ Living | 7

Practice Gratitude

By Gigi Steel

T

he first Thanksgiving was held in 1621 by Pilgrims who had come to the New World to escape tyranny in England. At the time, they were accustomed to setting aside special days to give thanks: a good harvest, a military victory, the recovery of a sick child, or the end of a drought.

Setting aside a day to give thanks for their harvest in 1621 was nothing out of the ordinary. After this First Thanksgiving, the day was observed on and off until 1789, when President George Washington issued a proclamation of celebration. President Thomas Jefferson then decided not to hold Thanksgiving celebrations. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln brought the celebration back proclaiming; “Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens,” to be held on the last Thursday of each November. Finally in 1942, Thanksgiving Day received a permanent observation date independent of the inclination of the current President. We can glean a lesson from these first 8 | 50+ Living | November 2020

Americans; taking time to give thanks and express gratitude can improve our lives—both physically and emotionally.

From a physical standpoint, gratitude can lower blood pressure, improve our immune system, reduce the effects of an aging brain, improve sleep quality, and lower stress hormones. It’s been shown that grateful people have more motivation for self-care. They exercise, eat healthy, and are less likely to smoke or abuse drugs. Gratitude works because positive feelings have a direct effect on our body.

Emotionally, gratitude can help us manage stress and be more optimistic—which also helps our immune system. Gratitude can change our perception of happiness. Consistently grateful people are typically happier, more energetic, hopeful, empathic, spiritual, forgiving, and less materialistic. They are less likely to be depressed or lonely—loneliness can double the risks

of heart disease. Depression is a significant risk factor for sickness. Gratefulness can lessen feelings of anger, bitterness, and greed. Gratitude can have a calming effect on our emotional state of mind. It can improve our willpower so that we make better decisions.

Although not everyone was fortunate to be born with a propensity for gratitude, we can change our mindset by using intention. The best way to do this is by practicing gratitude. Begin by simply saying thank you. These two little words can make a big difference.

Remember to say thank you to the cashier, your yoga teacher, your partner, and everyone else you come in contact with. Feeling appreciated changes the way we feel—and it works both ways. Gratitude sends positive energy to the receiver—and also stays with the giver.

Employers who take the time to say thank you find that their employees are motivated to work harder and submit higher quality work.

Learning to appreciate and be grateful for what you have, rather than what you don’t have, is an important element of gratitude. Comparing yourself to others will take you down a dark path. There is always

someone who has more, and someone who has less.

Turn these emotions into inspiration to work for what you want in life.

Gratitude can connect us to something larger than ourselves. When we acknowledge our thankfulness for one thing, we can recognize the supporting things that lead to that one thing. For example: say you are thankful for a pantry full of food. Consider all that leads to that pantry: farms and farmers to grow food, truckers to take it to stores. Then we have to acknowledge that we have cars and gas that take us to these stores. Then, money to buy the products, jobs to make money, and good health so we can work. The circle of gratitude is not just about one thing. It is about everything we have to be thankful for.

Gratitude gives us lasting happiness rather than instant gratification. Here are five simple ways to practice gratitude.

Say thank you Smile—smiles are contagious Write a thank you note Listen—really listen ������������������������

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Taylor’d with Style

A Pink Legacy

By JeanAnn Taylor

F

ashion during the early 1900s was filled with dramatic changes. In the beginning, women wore corsets with layers of petticoats, they also kept their ankles and arms covered. Then, two women introduced fresh ideas transforming the path of fashion design forever: Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli. Coco’s designs eliminated cinched-in waists and brought a mannish, comfortable vibe to women’s fashion. Coco’s designs were elegant and sophisticated. She made casual sportswear popular.

Coco Chanel was considered to be the uncontested queen of modern fashion. Then, in the mid 1920s, along came Elsa Schiaparelli.

Elsa Schiaparelli was born in Rome in 1890, seven years after Coco’s birth. She was born into an aristocratic family, one that was too busy and emotionally distant to give her the affection and attention she needed. She was expected to marry a wealthy, yet unattractive Russian in a pre-planned arrangement. However, in 1911 she published a series of sensual poems. When they were discovered by her parents, she was sent to a convent in Switzerland.

Unhappy there, she went on a hunger strike and was allowed to leave. To escape the pre-planned marriage, Elsa moved to London to work as a nanny. This was the first time she felt true freedom. It was also there that she met Count Wilhelm Wendt de Kerlor and fell in love. They married in 1914 and moved to New York in 1916. On the trip to America, Elsa met Gabrielle Picabia, the wife of a Dada painter. Their friendship opened the door for Elsa to meet many early 1900’s avant-garde artists—artists who inspired her throughout her career.

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In 1920, Elsa had her first child, nicknamed Gogo.

Sadly, her happiness as a wife and mother was short-lived as her husband began spending her inheritance—and time away from home. To make matters worse, Gogo contracted poliomyelitis. Elsa then packed up and headed to Paris where she could find the medical treatments Gogo desperately needed.

There, Elsa found a job at a local antique shop. After work she frequented restaurants where artists gathered and became infatuated with the surreal art of the era. Elsa’s life reached a turning point when she accompanied a friend to a fitting with Paul Poiret.

As she waited on her friend, she tried on a few of his designs. Poiret watched and thought she would make an excellent model. He saw the value of her wearing his designs around town, so he let her borrow a few.

By wearing his high-fashion designs, Elsa learned to embrace the luxurious lifestyle of the wealthy. She fell in love with well-fitting clothes, high-quality materials, innovative designs, and saturated colors.

In the mid-1920s, Elsa continued to surround herself with artists. Their influence led her to design simple, yet radical garments. One of her first creations was a hand-knit pullover sweater with a black and white trompe-l’oeil* motif. Her design was an instant success. By 1927, she opened the doors to her fashion house, Schiaparelli—Pour le Sport. Her use of abstract motifs and unexpected color-play was a key element in her unique designs. These innovative garments included jumpsuits with visible zippers, culottes, strong-shouldered suits, and reversible black and white evening gowns—with plunging necklines. In 1934, she was the first female fashion designer to be featured on the cover of Time magazine.

The rivalry between Coco and Elsa began early in her career and continued until the end. As Coco was accustomed to being the most sought after designer, she felt betrayed by her friends who went to “that Italian artist who makes clothes,” as Coco called her.

Elsa retaliated by calling Coco, “that hat maker.”

Patrons such as Ginger Rogers, Vivian Leigh, and Mae West helped to make Elsa successful, much to Coco’s chagrin. A particular painful occasion was when Wallis Simpson announced her marriage to the newly-abdicated King of England, Edward VIII, wearing Schiaparelli’s Lobster Dress—a white silk evening gown with lobsters painted on the skirt.

Their rivalry was so intense, Coco once succeeded in setting Elsa on fire. “Innocently” enough, while attending a costume ball, Coco asked Elsa to dance.

Coco was dressed as herself, but Elsa was dressed as a tree. As they danced, Coco led Elsa into a chandelier lit with candles. Elsa was saved from burning by guests who threw water on her.

Our choice of clothing always makes a statement, but in the 1930s, clothing was used to send messages oblivious to many today. Women in this era recognized the importance of what they wore and they went to great lengths to send the appropriate message.

Both Coco and Elsa designed garments for the strong, independent woman, but Coco’s designs were classic, sophisticated, and elegant, while Elsa’s flair for surrealism led her to create eccentric, unexpected, and outlandish designs.

Like Coco, Elsa drew inspiration from men’s clothing.

She created the first coat-shirt in 1935, and was the first to give her collections a theme. The Parachute Look and the Circus Collection were two of her most sensationalized collections. Elsa created many bizarre pieces: the shoe hat—a hat with the heel of a shoe pointed to the sky; hats with insects embroidered on them; a dress with a skeleton form quilted in the fabric; ankle boots fringed with long monkey fur; long gloves with red python nails, and a purse shaped like a telephone. While Coco accessorized with layers of classic pearls, Elsa accessorized with feathers, buttons shaped like prancing horses, and other exotic baubles.

Another difference in the two designers was their use of color. Coco primarily created with black and white. Elsa experienced with bright, vivid colors.

Before Schiaparelli, the color pink was not often used in fashion. Then in 1937, she created Shocking Pink, a bold, ultra-bright magenta that became synonymous

with her name. This signature color stood out among the dark-colored garments of other designers. Elsa wasn’t the first to “think pink” but her influence gave the hue a powerful and lasting impact.

Elsa also followed Coco into the perfume business. Her fragrance, Shocking!, was created in the bright pink hue she became known for. While Chanel No. 5 was sold in a simple, rectangular bottle, Shocking! was sold in a bottle shaped in the form of Mae West’s bust. It was also decorated with porcelain flowers and a velvet measuring tape.

In 1940, Elsa was forced to close her Couture House due to WWII, but continued to make practical clothing such as jumpsuits with pockets and transformable dresses. In 1945, the War was over and many women began traveling. Schiaparelli accommodated their fashion needs by creating the Constellation Collection. It included six dresses, a reversible coat, and three folding hats—all under twelve pounds. This innovative collection was another instant success.

For the next nine years, she watched the world of fashion change. The spiral down to a casual and insouciant mindset discouraged her so that she closed her Couture House in 1954. After closing, she focused on writing her biography, Shocking Life. Elsa Schiaparelli died in her sleep in 1973.

Although Coco came from poverty and Elsa came from wealth, they both came from dysfunctional families and suffered from loneliness as children.

They both grew into strong, independent women, and they both—in different ways—found success in a man’s world. While Coco used her sewing skills to create her designs, Elsa, who had no formal training, sketched her designs and had local tailors sew them.

Coco often relied on the money of her suitors to finance her goals. Elsa relied on her artist friends for inspiration and encouragement. Despite their many differences and conflicts, Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli both had the insight to visualize what they wanted, and they both made it happen.

*trompe-l’oeil: realistic imagery that creates an optical illusion

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The Classy Cook CRANLICIOUS! This cranberry and walnut bread, with a hint of orange zest, is the perfect food for an autumn morning breakfast or late afternoon snack.

According to Addie, it’s best served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

INGREDIENTS ����������� ����������� 1/2 cup honey 1/3 cup olive oil 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon sea salt 1 teaspoon baking soda 2 eggs Orange zest from one orange 3/4 cup orange juice 1 1/2 cups dried cranberries 1 cup chopped walnuts DIRECTIONS Preheat to 350 degrees and spray loaf pan with cooking spray��������������� , baking soda, and salt. Stir to mix thoroughly. Add cranberries and walnuts. Stir to coat. In mixer, combine honey, oil, and eggs. Blend thoroughly. Add orange zest and juice. Mix well. ��������������������� blended. Pour into loaf pan. Bake for 60 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Addie learns about orange zest.

We would LOVE to hear what treats you are cooking. Please send an email to us at jeananntaylor@rewnc.com to share your ideas and recipes.

Y����������� ecipe featured in 50+Living Magazine!

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Bring the Outdoors in and Cosy Up Your Home

this Autumn

A

dding simple seasonal touches to your décor is a great way of keeping interest in your home all year long, without the need for major decorating or renovation. Autumn is the cosiest time of year, with crisp mornings, lush colors and warming scents. Below are some easy ways to bring the best bits of autumn into your home.

Throws Investing in throws and blankets of different colors is one of the easiest ways of adjusting your home for the changing seasons. Drape them over armchairs, sofas, and beds, or leave them folded on blanket boxes or benches, and you can transform the look of a room. Warm tartans are spot on for autumn and lush furs and sheepskins can help keep you cosy as the temperature starts to plummet. Just make sure you stick to colours which compliment your existing décor.

Rotate your accessories Vases, decorative plates, and cushions in different colors are a cost effective way of transforming the look of your room. Accessorising needn’t cost too much. Keep an eye out in charity or consignment shops for bargains. You will soon have a set of quirky accessories for every season.

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Create a warm welcome There is nothing more inviting than a home filled with the sights and smells of autumn. Give guests an idea of what lies within by adding welcoming touches to your porch or other outdoor spaces. An autumn-themed wreath on the front door and a strategically placed basket of firewood tells guests they can expect a warm welcome.

Get squashed Pumpkins aren’t just for Halloween. The colors, shapes, and longevity of pumpkins, squashes, and gourds make them ideal for adding an autumn touch to your home. They look gorgeous just as nature intended, clustered in groups, placed on steps, or sitting on the porch. If you’re feeling crafty, try pressing foliage and flowers from your garden, then decoupage onto the gourds.

������������ Take a few crabapple branches, strip them of leaves, leaving just the fruit, and arrange in large vases.

Many trees are festooned with bright little berries at this time of year. These can make an attractive natural display. When using branches as a floral arrangement, it is their structure which is beautiful, so don’t panic if flower arranging is not your forte, they will look attractive even if you are usually a flower arrangement disaster area.

Tree branch coasters Find a branch which is roughly three inches in diameter, and saw into slices around 3/4-inch thick.

Sand both sides and voila! These bring an instant rustic feel to any coffee table and can make great homemade gifts come Christmas-time.

Get fruity Autumn is a time of plenty, and a fruit bowl well-stocked with rosy apples, pretty pears, and decadent figs can in itself be an object of beauty. ������ Nothing cosies up a house like an open fire. If you’re not blessed with a fire or log burner, there are candles available online which replicate the crackle and scent of a roaring fire.

These quick and easy autumnal ideas can help you enjoy the sights and smells of this time of year without straying from the comfort of your home and without breaking the bank. With some clever thinking and by making the most of the wonderful produce the season has to offer you can create a cosy, welcoming atmosphere in your home. Put the kettle on, snuggle down under a blanket and enjoy everything the season has to offer.

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Healthy

Tech

By Dave Werle

I

t’s been twelve years since the original Fitbit tracker came on the market. Since then, an impressive array of devices and applications has become available and omnipresent. Can these products demonstrate actual health benefits? Which ones might be especially helpful for those of us who hope to “age in place” when our health inevitably declines? Lastly, what futuristic health-related products are coming closer to reality? Healthy tech products fall into two categories: products that serve the needs of people who want to live a healthy lifestyle and those that are trying to manage existing health issues.

alarms attempt to wake you only during light sleep, within a time frame you select. This is based on the theory that waking during light sleep helps you feel more refreshed and energetic during the day. Who wouldn’t want that? Quality of sleep is known to impact overall health outcomes helping these tools gain popularity.

Another tool designed to maintain health is the Firefly. This gadget straps to your knee and sends electric impulses to stimulate a nerve in your leg that, in turn, increases blood flow in your lower leg.

Athletes use Firefly to help with quicker recovery after a workout. It also can work for people who are going on a long airplane flight and want to maintain good blood flow in the legs.

In the healthy lifestyle category, the many tools already available include wearable devices that have become prevalent in today’s world. The Apple Watch has reached a fifth generation and now has some quite remarkable features. You can get an echocardiogram (ECG) on yourself in 30 seconds and also monitor arrhythmia using the watch. It provides a warning if you are in a dangerously noisy setting, so you can put on some hearing protection. If you are working on stress management, the Apple Watch has a “breathe” app to help with meditative breathing.

Fitbit has been around for more than ten years now and claims to have more than 25 million users. One avid user I know is my mom. Her Fitbit gives her regular reminders to get moving. She has a steps-taken goal for each day and sticks to it compulsively. When I’m visiting, my attempts to take out the recycling or trash are regularly rejected as she wants to get in her steps! The second function she uses is the sleep stage analyzer. The Fitbit detects changes in heartbeat and movement to estimate when you are in light, deep and REM sleep stages. Knowing which nights you don’t get enough deep sleep might help you figure out which pre-sleep habits work (such as ending screen time earlier) and which don’t (like eating a pint of double chocolate ice cream at midnight).

There are other healthy tech apps that focus entirely on sleep habits. Smart sleep alarms, such as Sleep Cycle and Sleep as Android target the way in which you wake up to improve your health. These smart 16 | 50+ Living | November 2020

Current health care management tech tools are growing in use and benefits. At home diagnostics tools are being used widely to assist with telehealth services. TytoHome is a device that allows you to perform a basic health exam at home and submit the information to your doctor. This can help the doctor to diagnose an acute illness remotely and is used for follow up at home after a medical procedure. For people who want to age-in-place and might have difficulty getting to their doctors’ offices, this could save quite a bit of time and money and improve health outcomes.

Biometric devices are now being used to track a range of chronic conditions. Data from pacemakers can

now be sent wirelessly from home to health care providers to help monitor functioning. Blood glucose levels can be monitored with a sensor and smart phone app using a device called Sugar IQ. A user can wave their smartphone over the wearable sensor and get a reading on glucose levels throughout the day.

This type of tool can make it much easier to manage diabetes from home.

Prescription management tools are also going high tech. Automatic pills dispensers (such as Hero) will notify and dispense the correct medications on a schedule and remain locked for safety at other times.

They can also provide a notification to a loved one or caregiver if a dosage is missed.

What might the future look like with health technology? Virtual reality rehab is on the rise. One company, Neuro Rehab VR, provides physical and occupational therapy using virtual reality devices.

Imagine how much more engaging rehab exercises would be if you were seeing yourself hiking through the mountains, rather than plodding on a treadmill.

Microrobot technology is another field that is being developed to provide health benefits. Microrobots could potentially be used to deliver drugs to specific spots inside your body while being controlled from outside the body. They also could, in the future, be used to perform less invasive surgical procedures.

Greater use of technology is not always a good thing, but in health and wellness, there are a growing number of products that can help us get and stay healthy in more efficient and cost- effective ways.

Dave Werle, CFP®, CSRIC™ Financial Planner Starks Financial Group, Inc. 440 Montford Avenue Asheville, NC 28801 828-285-8777 Starks Financial Group is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Any opinions are those of Dave Werle and not necessarily those of RJFS or Raymond James. Links are being provided for information purposes only.

Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse, authorize or sponsor any of the listed websites or their respective sponsors. Raymond James is not responsible for the content of any website or the collection or use of information regarding any website’s users and/or members.

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