of Western NC
Sneak By The Sniffles
Pumpkin Surprise!
Pearls & Perils
50pluslivingWNC.com
October 2020
2 | 50+ Living | October 2020
Flowers have meaning and can “speak” for us when words are hard to find. The flowers for October are cosmos and marigolds. These colorful and cheerful flowers symbolize balance and happiness.
Marigolds are a cheerful and easy-to-grow summer flower that blooms until the first frost. This little flower has a big job in the garden. It not only adds bright color and beauty to your garden, it works as a pest deterrent keeping slugs and whiteflies from eating at your tomatoes and peppers. It’s symbolic meanings include despair over the loss of love; warmth of the rising sun; creativity; desire for wealth and the drive to succeed; and promoting cheer. Marigolds are are found with bright yellow, red, and orange petals. During the Victorian Era, marigolds were linked with despair and grief, in the Middle Ages, marigolds were carried as love charms or to help cast spells, now the focus is on optimism and success. This ruffly-petaled flower is great for planting along the edges of your garden or as the focal point of your landscape. Cosmos flowers are in the same
genus as sunflowers, marigolds, daisies, and dandelions. The colorful, daisy-like blossoms grow tall and have pretty, feathery leaves. When they bloom they attract birds, butterflies and bees. They thrive in poor soil and require little water. Left in the garden to die naturally, the dead blooms will drop to the ground and germinate naturally. The meaning of the cosmos flower is beauty, order, peace, and modesty. Cosmos is also known as the “flower of love” because it was once commonly used to send the message that “life is beautiful with you.” The cosmos flower can be found in pink for femininity, white for modesty, scarlet for optimism, and yellow for positivity. Cosmos grow in gardens, fields, and wherever they can find lots of sunshine. October 2020 | 50+ Living | 3
A Note From the Editor
October is here! I, along with many others, love this time of year because there is lots to love. First, October means, pumpkins. Last fall I was given a perfectly round, small pumpkin. I kept it on my kitchen counter until Thanksgiving was over, then threw it out into my chicken pen—along with lots of other food scraps. During the summer, a nice sturdy vine began to grow. At first I thought a squash plant had sprouted, but as it continued to grow, I realized it was a pumpkin vine! I’ve enjoyed watching the pumpkins grow. They are now (it’s August as I write this) beginning to turn orange. It’s been so fun to have my first pumpkin patch, and if everything continues to go well, I’ll have about 20 pumpkins in a few weeks. October also means chilly weather is on its way. Although this summer was especially pleasant, weather-wise, I still welcome cooler temperatures and the cozy fashions that follow: boots, tights, scarves, beanies, and sweaters. Fall color is something else to look forward to. Watching the leaves change from green to orange, golden yellow, and red is always a highlight of autumn. This also means that hiking is especially enjoyable. I love the sound of leaves crunching under my hiking boots. Sitting by a warm campfire is another perk of October. The enchanting element of a flame is mesmerizing. Add a cup of hot chocolate to this scene for a little fall bliss. On rainy evenings, lighting a scented pumpkin spice or cinnamon candle will make your whole house feel more cozy—and your house will smell like . . . fall. And then of course, we wrap up this awesome month with Halloween. I have always loved this holiday. When my children were young, I made amazing costumes for them: The Grim Reaper, Tinkerbelle, a dinosaur, an Indian, a vampire, rag doll, and many more. I don’t have any little ones now, but there is still candy corn. And that makes me happy.
By JeanAnn Taylor 4 | 50+ Living | October 2020
October 2020 | 50+ Living | 5
In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different.
Coco Chanel
50+Living of Western NC
PUBLISHER Tammy Sheppard publisherofsofia@gmail.com EDITOR JeanAnn Taylor WEB DESIGN Alphie Hyorth
CONTENTS
3 Bloom 7 Cook With What You Drink 8 Fall For Health 10 Taylor’d with Style
ADVERTISING INQUIRIES Mike Demos 828.273.0098 mikedemos@aol.com Trish Luzzi 828.423.0248 wnccreations@gmail.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jennifer Adams Gigi Steel Gina Trippi
P.O. Box 18416 | Asheville, NC 28814 828.230.7537 50pluslivingWNC.com
The Tangled Threads of Coco Chanel
12 Medicare ABCs 15 The Classy Cook
Pumpkin Cookie Surprise
All advertising published in 50+Living of Western NC is believed to be truthful and accurate. However AVL Media, Inc. assumes no responsibility and shall have no liability whatsoever for errors, including without limitation, typographical errors or omissions in 50+Living of Western NC. Any reference made to AVL Media, Inc. is not to be construed as making any representation, warranty or guarantee concerning the information on properties advertised in 50+Living of Western NC. The content of all ads contained herein are solely the responsibility of the advertiser. The opinions and statements contained in advertising or elsewhere in this publication are those of the authors of such opinions and are not necessarily those of AVL Media, Inc. AVL Media, Inc. reserves the right to edit or refuse any advertising submitted to this publication.
6 | 50+ Living | October 2020
C
C ook W ith W hat Y ou D rink
ustomer comes into our shop and asks for a wine to put into her Beef Bourguignon that she can also enjoy while cooking or at the table. The request for cooking wine for various recipes is fairly common. First, what’s the difference in table wine and what we call cooking wine? Mainly, quality. A successful match is simple. Avoid bottles labeled “cooking wine.” This is just a concoction of sugar, salt and preservatives that is nothing you would want in your dish. Notice “cooking wine” is usually shelved in the grocery store next to vinegar!
By Gina Trippi
Why do recipes call for wine? Usually, to bring up the acidity in the dish which works to tenderize meats as well as to stabilize more delicate ingredients. As the wine cooks down and concentrates, it brings a richness or slight sweetness to the dish. Cooks generally recommend avoiding sweet wines like Moscato. And chose an un-oaked wine as oak aging can impart a bitterness when heated. If you select a wine that you can also serve with the dish, you continue the flavor profile through the meal! Saving a wine to use in cooking presents real problems. The wine will likely oxidize. This results in musty, nutty, sherry like flavors. Such an addition might be right for your recipe but, if so, choose a wine that has been intentionally oxidized such as a dry Madiera or Marsala. Because wines become sweeter as reduced, unless you are working with a sweet dish, chose a dry wine. Remember the golden rule: use only wines that you would drink.
Julia Child summed it up this way: “If you do not have a good wine to use, it is far better to omit it, for a poor one can spoil a simple dish and utterly debase a noble one.”
OK. But you want it all! A solid wine that makes a dish sing, sits nicely on a table and is a palate pleaser. We suggest Capitelles 2016 Pinot Noir and 2016 Chardonnay from Languedoc Roussillon, both $8.99.
A good guide is to only cook with wine you would drink. That does not mean you need a high priced bottle. Because the subtle nuances of the wine will burn off in cooking, you would do best with a well made, reasonably priced wine, that complements not overwhelms your flavors. You can easily find an appropriate dual purpose wine for the dish and your table for under $15.
This 2016 unoaked Chardonnay is well-balanced and structured on the palate making it a safe and solid addition to a dish. And the 2016 Pinot Noir has a wellrounded body, with an expressive nose and palate of cherries and spices. Choosing a wine to add to your dish is not a DIY project. Let us help !
Charlotte Street! It’s the Next BIG Thing! “Big Shop Selection. Small Shop Service” 828-575-9525 | metrowinesasheville.com October 2020 | 50+ Living | 7
Fall For Health! By Gigi Steel
O
ctober has a whole lot of wonderful attributes: cool air, pretty colors, and misty mornings, but it also comes
with the beginning of flu and cold season. Here are seven ways to stay healthy and avoid the sniffles. Watch what you eat. Sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and carrots are all high in antioxidants, which help your immune system say, “No” to germs. High vitamin C foods like tomatoes and kale will also give your body a boost. Garlic and onions not only keep spooky spirits away, they are great at fighting infection and bacteria. An easy-peasy way to get all of these nutritious foods in one meal is to make a big pot of vegetable soup. If you have a runny nose, the steam and spices can help thin out mucus and make breathing easier. If you don’t already have a cold, the soup will taste delicious as you stay healthy.
Keep up your exercise plan. Shorter days may require advanced planning, but if you take time to exercise, your body will reward you by staying healthy. Exercise will also help you sleep better at night, which will help you feel better in the morning. It’s a cycle that is important to maintain. Don’t touch your face. Picking up germs on our hands is unavoidable. There are doorknobs and
Take vitamin D—for strong bones—and to boost your
elevator buttons and shopping carts and electronic
immune system. This vitamin has been shown to be an
pens and and and . . . The potential places to pick up a
effective element at preventing the flu.
bug are endless. The easiest way for these bugs to get into your body? Your own hands putting them there.
Get your sleep. Sleep deprivation can put you at risk
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth to keep
of catching a bug. The power of sleep helps your body
them out. And most importantly . . .
fight infection and gives your mind clarity to make
Wash your hands! Hand-washing always was
smart, healthy choices. Drink plenty of water. Our bodies need water to flush out germs, for mental clarity and physical energy, and to keep our organs in tip-top shape. Drink water throughout the day to stay hydrated. This will also help your skin to stay supple and better able to resist infection. 8 | 50+ Living | October 2020
and always will be the number one way to avoid introducing the germs that cause colds and flu into your body. Like the saying goes, “Wash your hands and say your prayers, because Jesus and germs are everywhere.”
The Best Veggie Soup Ever (personal opinion) Here is my favorite soup recipe. It’s basically my favorite veggies in a pot. You can adapt your recipe to your favorite foods and spices, and use more or less of the veggies you enjoy and have available. 1 can of petite diced tomatoes Carrots Garlic Sweet potatoes Green peas Green pepper Onion Celery Mushrooms Pinto beans 1 Knoors chicken bouillon cube Dill weed �������� Olive oil
Chop or dice all of the fresh vegetables. Pour a couple of tablespoons of olive oil into a large pot. Dissolve the bouillon cube in the oil at a low heat. Begin adding the fresh veggies. Put the ones that take the longest to cook in ��� For this list, I begin with the sweet potatoes and sauté them for a couple of minutes. I then add the carrots, celery, onions, and so on. After the fresh vegetables are all in the pot, I sauté them for about �� minutes more before adding the can of tomatoes. If you use fresh tomatoes, you’ll need to add them earlier in the process so they can cook as well. Add the spices and simmer at a low-medium heat until the veggies are done. You may also want to add a little water to the pot. I like to test along the way to make sure I don’t overcook the vegetables. Add the pinto beans just before serving as they only need warming up. You can make this soup fancy by sprinkling a little fresh parmesan or feta cheese on top, or by adding a sprig of parsley.
Enjoy and Stay Healthy!
October 2020 | 50+ Living | 9
Taylor’d with Style The Tangled Threads of Coco Chanel
By JeanAnn Taylor
As an adult, her unstable childhood influenced her determination and resolve to never live without money or a home again.
Sketch Interpretation by JeanAnn Taylor
A
s a “girly girl,” I can’t say I love the boxy fashions of Coco Chanel. But, I can say that I love her fearless spirit. This lady made her life what she wanted it to be. She was at once classy and controversial. She is an icon who turned the fashion world upside-down. Her mannish fashions with simple lines were avant-garde in the early 1900s. She was an ambitious and opinionated fashion designer who changed the world of fashion forever. Her relationships with men were sometimes simply friendships, and oftentimes much more complicated. Her life has been written about many times over in books, online posts, and magazine articles. Deciphering the complex story of Chanel turned out to be quite a task. From humble beginnings, passionate affairs, and a relationship with the Nazis, here is as accurate an account of her life as I could write. Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel was born in France in August of 1883. Her parents were unmarried until after her first birthday. Her mother worked as a laundrywoman and her father sold haberdashery goods on the street market. They lived in various places with no stable home life. When she was 12, her mother died and her father dropped her off at an orphanage. While living in this convent, she learned to sew—which turned out to be a rewarding skill. 10 | 50+ Living | October 2020
Coco’s career began as a seamstress during the day and cabaret singer at night. The name, “Coco,” is said to have come from a song she sang, Qui qua vu Coco. It is also rumored that she chose Coco for it’s nickname of cocotte, meaning, kept woman. Either way, the name felt right to her and she used it for the rest of her life. Coco embraced her personal style, and enjoyed standing out in a crowd. To this end, she made her own hats and clothes. As they were often very different from the fashions of the day, she gleaned much attention. In 1906, as a cabaret singer, Coco met many men. Among these was a French textile heir, Etienne Balsan. As fabric and hat-making were two of her passions, Coco was immediately infatuated with a man who could offer her all the money and fabric she could wish for—so she became his mistress. To keep her content, Balsan set her up with a small millinery shop. This set-up was all fine and good until the day when Coco met a very wealthy Englishman, Boy Capel, (1908). Capel took her everywhere and Coco quickly realized how the wealthy truly lived. In 1913, Capel gave her a boutique where she began designing and selling women’s garments that were in stark contrast to the current restrictive fashionable clothes. Coco was intrigued by the comfort and simplicity of menswear, and she took much inspiration from Capel’s clothing. She also insisted on perfect workmanship and the use of high quality material. She began sewing dresses from jersey fabric, which at the time was only used for men’s underwear. Her simple designs were comfortable and practical, yet remained elegant. They were also scandalous. She designed tight skirts without corsets or petticoats, and even—pants for women. By 1922, her success led her to open The House of Chanel. Unfortunately, although they appeared to be in love, Capel could not stay faithful and their relationship
suffered. Capel married another woman, yet their love affair continued until his death. It is said that Capel was Coco’s only true love. When he was killed in a car crash in 1919, she was devastated. Since she was his mistress, she was not permitted to officially mourn for him. It was then that she began designing garments with black fabric. Rumor is that she promoted black clothing to make all French women mourn for him.
House of Chanel, but remained in her Hotel Ritz apartment. It was then that she began an affair with a German diplomat and was accused of spying. She was eventually arrested by the “Committee on Public Morals.” When released, she fled to Switzerland where she lived for the next ten years. It is believed that her friendship with Churchill helped her resolve her grim predicament.
After Capel’s death, Coco focused on her work. As she built her business, there were many suitors interested in meeting—and consorting with —this flirty, witty, intelligent, unpredictable, shrewd, and successful woman. However, her attraction to them was based on their ability to help her achieve her goals. In 1920, the Grand Duke Dimitri Pavlovich of Russia was the first. His influence led her to add Russian embroidery to many of her designs. One of his friends, a perfumer, helped Coco create Chanel No. 5. It was the first perfume made from the fragrance of more than one flower. Coco picked the name because a gypsy once told her that ‘five’ was her lucky number.
When she returned to Paris in 1954, everything had changed. The new generation only remembered her as the creator of Chanel No. 5. However, she reopened her fashion house and went to work. At 71, she confessed that she was “dying of boredom.” She was also troubled that Christian Dior was bringing back feminine style elements she had worked to eliminate. At first, her new creations were scorned by the press because they were considered to be repeats of her past designs—and possibly because she had not been forgiven for her behavior during the war. However, although France rejected her, America embraced her. She eventually turned her small fashion house into the largest fashion house in the entire fashion industry. Her designs were not repeats—they were timeless.
Her affair with Hugh Grosvenor, the 2nd Duke of Westminster, led her into the world of British aristocracy. As one of the richest men in the world, she lived an extraordinarily elegant life with him. During their ten year romance, (1924-1931) he bought a home for her in London, and gave her a piece of land on the French Riviera, where she built her villa. On one romantic occasion, he hid a huge emerald in the bottom of a crate of vegetables. He personally delivered the vegetables disguised as a deliveryman. The Duke was the muse for Coco to begin designing with English tweeds. It was also he who introduced her to Winston Churchill. Churchill considered Coco to be the most intelligent, nice, and strongest woman he had ever dealt with. She believed she would marry the Duke, but due to her age, she could not have children and the Duke was forced to marry a younger woman. Alone again, Coco dove into her career. During World War II, Nazis occupied Paris and many businesses were forced to close. Coco closed The
Coco Chanel is best known for the “Little Black Dress.” Although she didn’t invent the dress, she catapulted it into fashion fame. She is known for freeing women from corsets and petticoats, for popularizing casual sportswear, and to her chagrin, making women’s pants acceptable. She believed that women should not wear pants in public as they are unflattering. Her brand is also known for costume jewelry, two-tone shoes, quilted bags, tweed suits—and pockets. Chanel loved pockets. Coco Chanel, who loved camellias, champagne, and caviar, continued to work until her death at 87 years old. She died alone in her Hotel Ritz apartment. Only three dresses were found in her wardrobe—they were described as “very stylish attires.”
Coco Chanel’s lively spirit is demonstrated by her quotes. Here are a few of my favorites. “It you’re sad, add more lipstick and attack.” “A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.” “The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.” “I only drink champagne on two occasions, when I am in love and when I am not.” “Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman.” October 2020 | 50+ Living | 11
MEDICARE ABCs Medicare open enrollment begins on October 15th this year. Whether you are already enrolled in Medicare or are preparing for when you become eligible, this is a good reminder to complete your annual review of benefits and determine which options are the most cost-efficient for you. The choices can get overwhelming, so here are some tips to help break down your decisionmaking:
HOW TO QUALIFY & WHEN BENEFITS BEGIN Most Americans qualify for Medicare coverage. However, some will pay different premiums based on the number of quarters they paid into the Medicare system (i.e. through Medicare taxes). Most individuals qualify for Medicare at age 65. However, it is important to do your homework early because you want to be covered when any other insurance ends. Experts recommend starting your research at least by age 64 and a half - six months before your 65th birthday.
MEDICARE BENEFITS – THE BASICS Medicare itself is comprised of two parts: •
Part A – Hospitalization: This includes inpatient care at a hospital, hospice care, home health care, and nursing home care (but does not include any custodial or long-term care expenses). Part A is typically free of charge, unless you did not pay into the Medicare system for a sufficient period of time during your working years.
•
Part B – Medicare Insurance: This includes services or supplies that are needed to diagnose or treat a medical condition and preventative services. Examples include physician visits, ambulance services, inpatient and outpatient mental health, and durable medical equipment. Part B can cost as little as $144.60 per month and up to $491.60 per month, depending on income and tax filing status.
If you choose, you can rely on Plan A and Plan B only for your health insurance needs. However, most individuals purchase a Medicare Supplement policy and a Prescription Drug policy, or they choose the route of a Medicare Advantage plan. 12 | 50+ Living | October 2020
MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT POLICIES Medicare Supplement policies are offered by private health insurance companies to supplement expenses that are not covered by Medicare Part A or Part B. These policies are often referred to as “Medigap” policies: they fill in the gaps that A and B don’t cover for the patient, including co-payments, co-insurance, and deductibles. A few things to know about a Medicare Supplement policy:
•
You are only eligible for a policy if you have Medicare Part A and Part B. You must show proof of this coverage when you apply for a supplement policy.
•
Supplement plans are required to be standardized – they must offer the same basic benefits, but different insurance companies may charge different premiums.
•
You pay a monthly premium for the policy in addition to the premium for Medicare Part B.
•
Medicare Supplement policies only cover individuals, there is no option for family coverage.
•
Policies range from option “A” to option “N,” depending on the amount of coverage preferred. Option G is the plan most individuals choose.
PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLANS (PART D) Individuals eligible for Medicare are also offered the optional benefit of prescription drug coverage. This is typically most useful for people who require expensive prescriptions. If you decide not to get a prescription drug plan when you are first eligible for Medicare, you will likely pay a penalty if you eventually do sign up for one. This penalty could apply as long as you have Medicare prescription drug coverage. When applying for Part D, you’ll need to give information about all the prescriptions you currently take, and a plan will be offered based on your specific medications.
ALTERNATIVES
A Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) is an option that provides Part A and Part B coverage and a supplemental policy -- as an “all in one” option. It is offered through private insurance companies that have been approved by Medicare. Most include Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D). In some cases these plans offer additional coverage for things like vision and dental care as well. With these plans, Medicare contributes a fixed amount towards the premium, and you pay the remainder, if any. Out-of-pocket costs and rules for services can vary between plans and can change each year.
HOW CAN I LEARN MORE?
To learn more about Medicare and how the options apply to your situation specifically, we recommend reaching out to an expert. Here are some resources: Medicare.gov is a website that offers the basics of how Medicare works. If you prefer to work with someone local, here are a few resources in the Asheville area: Council on Aging of Buncombe County: www.coabc.org Offers a Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program that provides individual Medicare Counseling sessions, as well as group webinars. Land of Sky Regional Council: www.landofsky.org KATHRYN BEACH Kathryn Beach, CFP® is an associate financial planner at Starks Financial Group (440 Montford Ave., Asheville, NC 28801 / 828-285-8777). Starks Financial Group is not a registered broker/dealer, nor is it affiliated with 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. This article expresses the opinions of Kathryn Beach and not necessarily those of RJFS or Raymond James. Raymond James does not provide legal services. October 2020 | 50+ Living | 13
14 | 50+ Living | October 2020
The Classy Cook PUMPKIN COOKIE SURPRISE What’s the surprise? Chocolate Chips! These cake-like cookies are perfect for an autumn gathering with your friends . . . and as cookies go, they aren’t too sweet—and the pumpkin and walnuts give them a little nutritional value. This tasty treat is especially yummy served straight from the oven and with a scoop of ice cream.
INGREDIENTS 1 cup butter, softened 1 cup sugar 2 eggs, at room temperature 2 teaspoons vanilla 1 can of pumpkin (15 oz) ������������ ������������ 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon sea salt 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 cup chocolate chips—dark or milk chocolate 1 cup chopped walnuts DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Using mixer, cream together butter and sugar. Beat in eggs. Using a slow speed, stir in vanilla and pumpkin. In separate bowl, combine all dry ingredients with chips and walnuts. Stir to coat chips and walnuts with ���mixture. Add to creamed mixture at slow-medium speed. Drop by teaspoon onto greased cookie sheet. These cookies don’t spread out as they bake, so they can be placed ������������������ fairly close together. Bake for 12 minutes or until edges begin to brown. Cool slightly before moving to cooling rack. Enjoy! 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!
October 2020 | 50+ Living | 15
