50+Living of Western NC
Ways to Say I Love You
Jumpstart Your Heart
Chocolate is the Answer
50pluslivingWNC.com
February 2020
For the LOVE of Sewing Visit our website for class schedule Create amazing craft and embroidery projects. Learn new techniques, tricks, and tips.
Come Visit Our Shop ~ We are fully stocked! We also offer Services ~ Visit our website for so much more!
Unleash Your Backyard Gourmet! No other outdoor cooker can match the quality and versatility of a Big Green Egg. Grilling Roasting, Baking or Smoking - is truly is The Ultimate Cooking experience!® BigGreenEgg.com COPYRIGHT BIG GREEN EGG INC.
32 N Main St. | Weaverville, NC 28787
828-484-7200
136 Weaver Blvd, Weaverville NC ) 828.645.8811 1888 Hendersonville Rd, Asheville NC ) 828.676.0047
fivemonkeyquilts.com
3340 Boylston Hwy, Mills River NC ) 828.891.4545
812 Merrimon Ave, Asheville NC ) 828.505.3672
Hours: Monday-Friday 10-6; Saturday 10-5 | Sunday - CLOSED
10 Westridge Market Pl, Candler NC ) 828.527.6468
Change Your View Not Your Lifestyle Ardenwoods Retirement Community offers an incredible variety of on-site amenities and activities including:
• Chef-prepared dining • Fitness center • Indoor pool • Library • Salon and spa • Gardening • Nature trails • Art studio and more!
Independent and Assisted Living. Your Choices, Our Priorities. www.ArdenwoodsRetire.com | (828) 705-3820 2 | 50+ Living | February 2020
To see your ad here contact us at 828.230.7537 for advertising rates & info
50pluslivingWNC.com
Creative Ways to Say . . .
“ I Love You”
V
alentine’s Day is the ultimate romantic holiday. It’s time to show your special someone how you really feel. You can opt to go to a local drugstore and buy a pretty Happy Valentine’s Day card, sign it with lots of X’s and O’s and present it on February 14th. You might also want to buy a Valentine’s Day gift of a box of candy, sexy lingerie, or a bunch of flowers for your soul mate to show your love. These are all fine ways to celebrate St. Valentine’s Day, but they’ve been done before. This year you can become creative and romantic by doing something more meaningful for your sweetheart. Even if your love has not yet been reciprocated, you can still let your feelings be known. Be anonymous and keep him or her guessing, or spill the beans and put yourself out there. Either way, you’ll be satisfied and glad that you proclaimed your love on this holiday of romance. “I love you.” Those three little words can be conveyed in a multitude of ways. Here are five unique methods to say you care on Valentine’s Day.
Write a love letter the old-fashioned way, with pen and ink Forget about email or texting. Write one long, heartfelt love letter, using your best penmanship, so every word can be understood. State the reasons for your love, recall the day you first met, your first date, or whatever nostalgic secrets the two of you may share. You can alternately write a few different shorter love notes and leave them scattered about the house if you live together. Let your lover find the notes in places you know he will look. Stuff a note in his underwear drawer, his lunch bag and by his toothbrush, to find at different times throughout the day. You can mail a romantic letter through the U.S. post office and don’t forget to place a few drops of perfume on the paper. Be sure to post the letter the required number of days you expect it will take to get to his mailbox by February 14th .
First thing in the morning surprise Since we all need to use the bathroom in the morning, why not wake up your sweetheart with love notes on the toilet continued on page 5 February 2020 | 50+ Living | 3
50+Living of Western NC
3
CONTENTS
Creative Ways to Say “I Love You”
8 Couples and Money 10 Easy Habits to Boost your Heart Health
4 | 50+ Living | February 2020
12 Love as a Verb 13 Signs You May Have A Thyroid Problem
15 Sandy’s Food for Thought
Gone Crackers
16 Taylor’d with Style
Is Pink Even Real?
19 Quotes About Chocolate 22 Ways to Stay Active this Winter
paper roll? Replace whatever roll of paper is already there with a new roll on which you’ve written a few choice notes to express your love. Write with a soft felt tip pen so as not to tear the paper, placing one steamy message on each square. You can also write or draw something on the steamed-up bathroom mirror the evening before. The writing will show through after she has fogged it up again in the morning.
Go straight to his stomach If your man loves bacon (and what man doesn’t?), make him bacon roses for breakfast. Simply roll up each individual slice of uncooked bacon from the widest end to the narrowest as your oven heats to 375 degrees. Place the bacon on a wire cake-cooling tray fitted on top of a baking tray with sides (so the grease can be caught). As it bakes for 40 minutes, pull artificial roses out of their stems. Skewer your bacon onto those
tips and you have a couple of dozen bacon roses for your loved one to enjoy.
Silly love songs Are you musically creative? If so, why not write an original love song or poem and sing or recite it to your darling after a lovely romantic candlelit dinner? Don’t forget to also give her a copy of the song or poem beautifully written or typed out so she can preserve it forever.
The ultimate scrapbook Since we’re writing here, why not go all the way and pen a book about your relationship? This writing isn’t going to be a ‘tell all’ sort of book. Rather, it will be a remembrance of all your important firsts in the relationship: the first date, the first kiss, and how he popped the question. Include photos and keepsakes. It will be a scrapbook that can be continually updated year after year. Writing, cooking, composing, and scrapbooking are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to celebrating St. Valentine’s Day imaginatively and in a way your darling will not soon forget. Use these ideas to create a special gift or use them to get your own creative juices flowing and come up with a uniquely personal way to say, “I love you” this year. Ee
The Lodge at Mills River A leader in Short term Rehabilitation takes pride in excellence. We promise to serve the residents and families with compassion and integrity. The Lodge is committed to providing experienced care in a cheerful environment that features:
s n e h p e St DRAPERIES UPHOLSTERING CO.
Serving Asheville Over 60 Years Largest Selections of Fabrics OPENINGS FOR QUALIFIED UPHOLSTERERS
828-645-3422
220 Weaverville Road
stephensupholstery.com
• Private Rooms • TV/Internet Services • Ice Cream Shop • Rehab Gym • Salon & Spa • Spacious common areas The Lodge offers physical, speech and occupational therapies in the community. Therapy services can be provided in an inpatient or outpatient need. We invite you to visit the community, meet our dedicated staff and discover for yourself what makes The Lodge at Mills River a leader in Short Term Rehabilitation.
Now Accepting Patients. Call Today. 828-684-4857 5593 Old Haywood Rd., Mills River www.sanstonehealth.com/lodgeatmillsriver
February 2020 | 50+ Living | 5
50+Living of Western NC
Enhancing Lives Through Leading Eye Care Since 1961
PUBLISHER Tammy Sheppard tsheppard@rewnc.com
Did you know your eyes are the second most complex organ in your body? Why wouldn’t you trust them to the experts?
ART DIRECTOR Kimberly P. Anderson WEB DESIGN Alphie Hyorth FOR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES Mike Demos 828.273.0098 mikedemos@aol.com
Schedule your appointment today! (828) 258-1586 www.ashevilleye.com
Trish Luzzi 828. 423.0248 wnccreations@gmail.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jennifer L. Adams Sandy McCall Laurie Richardone JeanAnn Taylor
Ee
North Carolina Estate Planning Attorneys Offices in Asheville & Hendersonville Some important goals of any estate plan are to protect assets and minimize tax liability. It is critical to provide the latest estate planning tools to achieve these objectives. We were one of first law firms in Western North Carolina to use family limited partnerships (FLPs), limited liability companies (LLCs), and revocable living trusts to protect people’s estate plan. Other ways to protect assets and avoid unnecessary tax liability include: Business succession planning | Medicaid planning for nursing home care |IRA planning Charitable planning |Estate tax and gift tax planning |Asset protection
4000+ TRUSTED CLIENTS | TRUSTS • WILLS • POA 7 QUALIFIED ATTORNEYS | www. strausslaw.com Asheville Office 77 Central Avenue, Suite F | Asheville, NC, 28801 Phone: 828-258-0994 Fax: 828-252-4921 6 | 50+ Living | February 2020
Hendersonville Office 104 N. Washington Street | Hendersonville, NC, 28739 Phone: 828-696-1811 Fax: 828-696-1816
P.O. Box 8683 | Asheville, NC 28814 828.230.7537 50pluslivingWNC.com All advertising published in 50+Living of Western NC is believed to be truthful and accurate. However 50+LIving of Western NC 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 50+Living of Western NC 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 50+Living of Western NC. 50+Living of Western NC reserves the right to edit or refuse any advertising submitted to this publication.
Ee
The smell of fresh baked pies, the vintage decor and the smiling faces behind the counter lets one know that this is indeed a special place. If you have had the opportunity to taste a piece of their famous Honey Pecan pie or any of their many varieties of baked or cream pies, then you know! You know just how amazing this locally owned business is. Baked is ore than a place to get a great piece of homemade pie; it is a destination worth visiting.
Owner Kirsten Fuchs invites you to stop in a give it a try ~ and don’t forget Pie makes a great Valentine’s suprise!
Two locations: 4 Long Shoals Road, Arden | 828-333-4366
50 N. Merrimon Ave (in Reynolds Village) Woodfin | 828-210-9544
Hours: Tues-Thurs 10AM-8PM | Fri-Sat 10AM-9PM | Open Sun 11AM-4PM (Arden only) | Closed Mondays
bakedpiecompany.com February 2020 | 50+ Living | 7
Couples and Money by Jennifer L. Adams
W
e are all likely familiar with the statistic that money is one of the top five reasons for divorce in our country. What if we could do something about this? Based on my experience, both personal and professional, I’m convinced something can be done about this stat. Education and communication are the primary tools. When my husband and I first married (after many years of dating), our counselor assumed it wasn’t necessary to cover the financial side of marriage since my career has been in financial planning. I remember laughing it off at the time and agreeing that there was no reason to waste time talking about finances. I’m a financial planner. How could we not have discussed money endlessly? How could we not be on the same page about money? Years later, I’m laughing at my naïve thoughts from that time. Here’s where education and communication come to the fore. Anyone that cohabits or gets married should write out and discuss their “money stories.” What’s a money story? It’s your history with money—specifically, how your values about money have developed throughout your lifetime. Knowing each other’s money story will help tremendously when you discussing your combined finances. 8 | 50+ Living | February 2020
Here’s how this looks for my husband and me. My money story is rooted in safety and security. I grew up in a family with very few financial resources. As a kid, life felt unstable because money was not always reliably accessible. As a result, I became an extremely motivated saver—sometimes not in a healthy way. I’ve had to come to grips with the fact that I may never feel that we have enough money in savings to sit back and relax. Sometimes, I allow lingering feelings of scarcity to take the fun out of life. My husband, on the other hand, grew up in a family that was willing to take a little more risk with money. My husband’s money story boils down to something like “it takes money to make money.” These two money stories don’t really jibe with each other all the time. My husband loves to think through his options out loud. He might say, “You know, if I had a bigger truck, I could handle a lot of work that I’m subbing out now, and we’d end up way ahead.” What I heard, of course, was “Hey, you can forget that savings goal for this year. Not going to happen.” Both of us are incapable of hiding our emotions—he’d see me cringing, then his own disgust would register. We didn’t require many words to end up completely stymied.
Over time, we’ve gotten wiser about our financial communication, but only through some very intentional work. Here’s how our process works now: • At the beginning of each year, we sit down (separately) and put our financial goals in writing. For each item outside our normal monthly budget, we come up with a timeframe and the potential cost. For example: Finish the basement by the end of 2020 at a cost of approximately $15,000. • We then prioritize each item on the list by ranking: 1 – most important, 5 – least important. • We sit down together and review each other’s list. Generally, we’ve already talked enough that most items appear on both lists, but one or two are often not on the other’s list. Our sense of what’s more important diverges more, but the ranking process serves as an entry point for discussing how we came up with our lists and for making any necessary compromises. • Throughout the year, we check back in on our list and see how we are doing. Often times, another project or an emergency comes up and we need to prioritize our list again. The list can be as flexible as you want it to be. If an expensive “want” comes up in the middle of the year, we already have a method in place to figure out whether it’s important enough to us to sacrifice some other financial goals. Changing up responsibilities for some financial tasks has also helped us see things from the other spouse’s perspective. For years, I had been the one who downloaded all of our expenses into a spreadsheet that allowed me to compare
year-to-year spending. Anyone who has done this has likely had a similar reaction—I can’t believe we’re spending so much money on this thing that’s not very important to me! Recently, I deputized my husband to carry out the spending review. This has helped us in a couple of ways. First, I avoid triggering my (irrational) panic that we’re spending money we could clearly be saving. And my husband has a better-informed sense of where our money goes. These changes haven’t created financial nirvana in our household. I’m still capable of a wicked eye roll when my husband shows up in the theater with $12 worth of creatively processed sugar for our daughter. But we’ve managed to avoid pitched battles about the really big issues and, more importantly, generated a feeling of teamwork in moving toward financial goals that are important to both of us.
Jennifer L. Adams is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) and financial advisor at Starks Financial Group (440 Montford Ave. Asheville, NC 28801 // 828-285-8777). Starks Financial Group is not a registered broker/deal, 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. This article expresses the opinions of Jennifer L. Adams and not necessarily those of RJFS or Raymond James. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ and CFP® in the U.S.
HARMONY Donate your car. Change a life.
Become part of our family at Harmony and enjoy time well spent with your loved ones in your new home.
Working Wheels repairs and recycles donated cars, transforming them into reliable transportation for working families in Western North Carolina.
The Harmony Lifestyle is waiting for you! Call 828.575.0627 or visit www.HarmonyAtReynoldsMountain.com INDEPENDENT LIVING | ASSISTED LIVING | SECURED ASSISTED LIVING 41 Cobblers Way | Asheville
We enthusiastically accept donations of vehicles in any condition. The process is easy, and your donation is tax-deductible.
Call 828-633-6888 or visit us at workingwheelswnc.org February 2020 | 50+ Living | 9
5 Easy Habits to Boost Your Heart Health After 50
T
he number of women having heart attacks has dropped in recent years, thanks to more effective treatments and medications. But prevention plays a big part as well. Developing heart-healthy habits is especially important in your fifties, as the estrogen that has protected your heart and arteries until now begins to decline.
Here are five excellent and easy habits to embrace:
1. Stretch Yourself Japanese researchers have found a correlation between body flexibility and healthy arteries. They hypothesize that stretching exercises improve not only your outer muscles but your inner ones too, strengthening your heart and preventing stiffening of the arteries. Deep-muscle stretches also relax you and decrease your body’s production of cortisol, which helps keep your blood pressure and cholesterol levels down. If you don’t already do so, consider taking a Pilates, yoga, or tai chi class at least once a week, or look for some good stretching and flexibility exercise videos.
2. Eat More Fish Eating 6-ounces of fish three times per week can cut your risk of heart disease by more than 65 percent, according to the research journal PLOS ONE. The blend of omega-3 fatty acids, amino acids, and potassium found in some types of fish helps boost your levels of “good” HDL cholesterol while cutting triglycerides. Not all fish are created equal, however. While white fish choices like tilapia and flounder have some omega-3 fats 10 | 50+ Living | February 2020
and are healthy alternatives to meats like pork and beef, choose oily fish for the most effect. Best choices include tuna, salmon, arctic char and mackerel.
3. Boost Your Iron Intake You have probably heard that you need to eat plenty of iron-rich foods during the years when you are menstruating, in order to prevent anemia and other problems. Even after menopause, however, you still need iron to protect your heart’s health. While traditionally foods like red meat and calves’ liver have been recommended for their high iron levels, you can get needed iron from healthier foods as well. Foods high in iron include spinach, apricots, broccoli, and dark chocolate. However, too much iron can be unhealthy, so do not take an iron supplement unless your doctor recommends it.
Turning Lives into Legacies.
4. Get Plenty of Vitamin C Vitamin C is essential to your body’s production of collagen and elastin, which help strengthen your arteries and keep them flexible. An 11-year study published in the journal Nutrients found that women with high levels of vitamin C were 70 percent less likely to have a heart attack. Citrus fruits are a well-known source of vitamin C, including lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruit. Other good foods for vitamin C include bell peppers and strawberries. Opt to get your dose of vitamin C from food rather than supplements -- research has shown that supplements do not have the same effect on circulatory health.
Need help navigating the later stages of your financial well-being? We’ll be there for your family even after you’re gone. Contact us to request our comprehensive planning tool. Email sfginfo@raymondjames.com or call 828.285.8777.
5. Drink Some Tea Drinking at least three mugs per day will help cut your risk of heart disease by nearly half, according to a Boston University study. The key to tea’s benefits are polyphenols, powerful antioxidants that help reduce inflammation in your arteries. Inflammation makes your blood vessels more prone to developing plaque buildup and dangerous clots. Which type of tea is best? Doctors say it doesn’t matter, as long as the blend contains actual tea leaves. Black, green, white, or oolong tea, with caffeine or without, all provide a dose of polyphenols. While herbal teas like chamomile can have other healthy benefits, they don’t contain tea leaves so will not have the same polyphenol punch. If you are over fifty, you already know the big steps you need to take to protect your heart’s health: quit smoking, get some cardio exercise several times per week, and maintain a healthy weight. But even small steps can make a big difference overall, so try to incorporate some of these into your routine to further reduce your risk of heart attack and cardiovascular disease. Ee
P L A N N I N G W I T H H E A R T. I N V E S T I N G W I T H P U R P O S E .
starksfinancial.com 828.285.8777 | 877.285.RJFS (7537) 440 Montford Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801 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.
February 2020 | 50+ Living | 11
Love as a Verb By Laurie Richardone ~ Natural Chef & Integrative Health Coach
As we move through life we adopt a new definition of what love means. It becomes a more mature love, having less expectations that can get projected onto our beloved and all our relationships. What a beautiful opportunity to live in gratitude for our connections, and turn a proverbial blind eye for the imperfections that we all possess. Since Valentine’s Day is coming I wanted to reflect on the ways we can show love: whether friend, family, or our beloved. Composing a meal for someone you care about is always an act of love. No matter how you do it or how often you do it, let the deep affection you feel inspire you in the kitchen. Cooking can become a spiritual experience when you instill your joy, gratitude, and passion into what you are creating. When you cook and bake with your heart it translates into a beautiful message, and the one receiving it is warmed by this heartfelt gift. What are your memories of being fed? About feeding others? Did someone important to you show love by providing food to you – or fail to show it through failing to provide it? Valentine’s day is celebrated but once a year. Let the essence of this day be practiced everyday, now and forever more. Let’s celebrate Cupid, The God of Love with a heart healthy dessert. We all seem to crave something sweet, especially when it is ubiquitous in the days leading up to Valentine’s Day. Nourish the body and soul through nutrition, sensual pleasure, Laurie and beauty, with a delicious recipe that will satisfy any sweet tooth. What better way to say I love you? Richardone
a taste for all seasons Eat Well ~ Live Well
cooking classes • health coach • natural chef
LaurieRichardone.com • info@LaurieRichardone.com • 828.505.3392 12 | 50+ Living | February 2020
For Raspberry Cashew Cake Recipe : visit LaurieRichardone.com To your continued good health…
LaurieRichardone.com info@LaurieRichardone.com 505-577-6088 cell
Y
Signs That You May Have a Thyroid Problem
our thyroid is described as a gland in your neck that resembles the shape of a butterfly. It regulates metabolism in the body, but a malfunction with your thyroid gland can cause a whole host of problems for your entire body. If your thyroid is not functioning at an optimum level, then your body will tell you that something is wrong.
Exhaustion Feeling sluggish and lacking energy can signify a variety of problems, but there is a strong link between this symptom and a thyroid problem. If you are getting a full night’s sleep and still feel tired in the morning then that could be a sign that your thyroid is not functioning properly. When your thyroid doesn’t produce enough hormones your muscles feel it, causing extreme fatigue.
Change in Feelings or Emotions When you begin to suddenly feel down and depressed, it could be because your thyroid isn’t producing enough hormones and affecting your brain. When your brain lacks serotonin, it can lead to feeling depressed, down, or blue for no apparent reason. On the other hand, if you are feeling anxious or jittery, this can also be a sign of a thyroid problem. When your thyroid produces too many hormones it can cause your body to go into overdrive making it almost impossible to stop, slow down, or relax.
Low Sex Drive When your thyroid produces too little hormones, it wreaks havoc on your entire body including your libido. This is in part due to the lack or hormones produced, but also to the side effects of a low producing thyroid. The weight gain, body aches, and lack of energy associated with thyroid hormone imbalances play a part and certainly don’t help with the decreased sex drive.
Constipation or Diarrhea Those who suffer from a low producing thyroid often experience episodes of constipation. The disruption that an under-producing thyroid causes takes its effect on the digestive system. The imbalance of hormones causes the digestive process to slow down which leads to constipation. Those who suffer from an over-producing thyroid experience the opposite, diarrhea. The overproduction of hormones leads to bowel movements that are more frequent and the undigested food leads to diarrhea. continued on page 14
The Spice & Tea Exchange® of Asheville 46 Haywood St., #101 Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 505-7348 February 2020 | 50+ Living | 13
Full service agency ... Are you ready to buy, sell or do you need a property manager? We specialize in YOU! Call Sandy at 828-273-9755 or email Sandy@SouthernLifeRealty.com “Your Dream, Our Expertise ... Matching People With Property”
Changes in Menstrual Cycle A sudden change in your period could signify a thyroid problem. Periods that last longer or involve more cramps or heavier flow are directly related with thyroid problems. Another symptom of lower thyroid hormones in the body includes periods that come closer together. On the other hand, periods, which are shorter in duration, further apart and lighter than normal, signify an over-productive thyroid.
Sandy McCall
Broker/Owner
www.SouthernLifeRealty.com
Hot Flashes or Cold Chills Having cold chills is a common symptom associated with an under-productive thyroid. The reduction in thyroid hormones causes less energy to be burned by the cells in your body. When the body burns less energy, less heat is created by the body. An over-productive thyroid causes the opposite effect. The increase in hormones causes the body’s cells to go into overdrive mode which makes the body produce immense amounts of heat. Many people who experience hot flashes think that it is related to a hormonal imbalance due to menopause, or pre-menopause, when in reality the cause is a hormone imbalance due to an over-or under-productive thyroid gland. An estimated 25 million people in America suffer from some form of a thyroid problem. This number might seem amazingly high, but what is even more amazing is that over half of them have no idea there is even a problem. Hyperthyroidism, an overactive thyroid, and hypothyroidism, an underactive thyroid, are the two common disorders of the thyroid, but hypothyroidism is the most common condition associated with more problems in the body. Ee 14 | 50+ Living | February 2020
Sandy’s Food for Thought Have You Gone Crackers? By Sandy McCall
“
You may have assumed that fresh, healthy crackers are hard to make. Nope! These crackers are easy to prepare and they store well. They also have fresher, healthier ingredients—with better flavors—than many of the crackers you buy in the store. These easy-peasy crackers are wonderful with soup, but they also make great snacks—either plain or by adding a little nut butter. You can use a cookie or pizza cutter to cut them into uniform sizes before baking, or break them into random-size pieces after baking. You will love this two-ingredient basic cracker recipe. It is gluten and grain-free, and can also be made with wheat flour. My new favorite flavor is Sichuan peppercorns and sea salt. Sichuan peppercorns have a unique aroma, red color, and a flavor that is neither hot like chili peppers nor pungent like black pepper. It has a slight lemony flavor and is perfect for these crackers. The amount of topping you use depends on how much flavor you like. Begin by adding small amounts and adding more as desired.
”
Sandy McCall is the Broker/Owner of Southern Life Realty. Email: SandysFoodForThought@gmail.com
Two-Ingredient Crackers 2 cups almond, cashew, or wheat flour—or combination of flours 1 large egg Preheat the oven to 325°. Place all ingredients into a food processor and mix until dough turns into a ball. It will take a minute or two. Adjust moisture level if necessary by adding a tablespoon of water at a time while processing. Roll parchment baking paper onto a large cookie sheet, place dough on top. Place another piece of parchment baking paper on top of dough. Roll until dough is very thin. Remove top parchment paper and sprinkle with the toppings of your choice. Place the top parchment paper back and roll slightly to press the toppings into the dough. Remove the top parchment paper before baking, but leave the bottom layer in place. Leave the dough in one piece or cut into shapes with a cookie or pizza cutter. Bake for 10-15 minutes. Turn the pan around halfway through baking so crackers can bake evenly. After all the crackers have
been baked, turn the oven off and return the crackers to the cooling oven to dry out and crisp up for about 20 minutes. Remove the crackers from the oven and cool completely. Separate the cut crackers, or if you left the dough in one piece, push on the top of the baked dough to break the crackers into random pieces.
Topping Suggestions *Salt - Celtic sea salt or Pink Himalayan *Peppercorns - Sichuan or black, whole or crushed *Seeds - sesame or sunflower *Hemp hearts Store crackers in a jar or container with a tight lid. Now you have gone crackers. Enjoy!
February 2020 | 50+ Living | 15
Taylor’d with Style
Is Pink Even Real? By JeanAnn Taylor
I
f you know me, you know I love pink. In fact, I’m pretty much obsessed with the pretty color. I wear pink nearly every day, I live in a mostly-pink house, and I search for pink accessories and kitchen gadgets whenever I’m shopping. My pink obsession isn’t something I grew into, it’s the way I’ve been my entire life. As a young girl, I gravitated toward pink like a magnet. As a teenager, I hid my fetish to avoid teasing, but as an adult, I’m perfectly comfortable embracing and expressing my passion for pink. I’m also curious; what is it about this sweet, innocent color that gives it immediate recognition, power over our emotions, and influence over our economy? It’s interesting that such cultural and emotional emphasis has been placed on pink. Look up articles on, “Why girls love pink,” and you’ll find hundreds of studies and opinions. Look up, “Why girls love any-other-color,” and you’ll find very little. Color psychology, which is the study of color, suggests that people who love pink share similar character traits. Pink lovers are typically loving, sensitive, and approachable. They long to care for others, but they also long to be cared for. Pink-people are in touch with their femininity, organized, refined, calm, naive, and reserved. Studies show that while blue is the most popular favorite color of all men and women, when asked which blue shade is most desirable, men choose green-blue, while women choose a reddish-blue hue. This phenomenon is explained by looking back to when men were the primary hunters and women were the gatherers. It was necessary to survival for women to have the ability to spot ripe, red berries and fruit to feed themselves and their families. It’s also important for caregivers to recognize red-flushed skin indicating a fever or other condition. 16 | 50+ Living | February 2020
Recently, there has been debate over whether “pink” is actually “real” or not. The controversy stems from the fact that pink doesn’t appear on the rainbow; there is no wavelength of pink light. Remember ROYGBIV? Pink requires a mix of red and violet, found on opposite sides of the rainbow; as these colors are not side by side, they can’t blend together to create pink. So, where does pink come from? It’s a conundrum. Although pink is favored by women, the “pink is for girls, blue is for boys” notion is fairly modern. Until the mid-1800s, baby boys and girls wore white dresses—in part because the white fabric could be bleached. In the 1940s, it was primarily marketers and retailers who decided to dictate colored clothing to gender. According to the trade publication, Earnshaw’s Infants’ Department (1918) blue was deemed “delicate, dainty, and prettier for the girl.” Pink, as a lighter version of red, was considered a stronger color and more appropriate for boys. The primary shift to “pink for girls” occurred after WWII when America longed for a return to home, family, and domesticity. In a sense, Rosie the Riveter traded her blue factory uniform for a pink apron. Women embraced their femininity and men loved the security of being home. Manufacturers and retailers encouraged and complied by producing pink dish soap, lotions and shampoos packaged in pink bottles, and pretty dresses with matching hats in every shade of pink from light rose to coraly-salmon; even furniture became available in pink hues. The pink phenomenon continued to grow as retailers saw green while watching pink items fly off the shelves. While the color pink is often associated with femininity and innocence, it can also be sophisticated and powerful.
In the 1930s, Elsa Schiaparelli created a fashion sensation with her “Shocking Pink” style. In 1953, First Lady Mamie Eisenhower’s love of pink decor turned the White House into a “Pink Palace.” This trend led homemakers across America to choose pink furniture as well as kitchen and laundry appliances for their own homes. Major companies have made this connection and have chosen pink as their signature color. Victorias Secret has a clothing line named PINK. Mary Kay made history—and millions— when she selected pink as the color to represent her skincare and makeup business. I’ve seen full-page ads for the state of Florida in which the headline reads, “Florida Pink—in shades so beautiful it’s enough to make us blush.” The only color used in the ad was pink. Vera Wang has Truly Pink perfume; Le Creuset has a line of pink cookware; KitchenAid sells a pink mixer and matching accessories; Uggs has a pink boot line; YETI sells a cooler and matching, “Pretty Pink Tumbler.” Rock star Pink became a phenomenon in the early 2000s with her bright pink hair, and Aerosmith’s hit song, Pink, will always be one of my favorites. Pink lovers everywhere applauded and fully understood the sentiment when Julia Roberts as Shelby in Steel Magnolias said, “Pink is my signature color.” Pink is also a signature color of Lilly Pulitzer, Baskin Robbins, Dunkin Donuts, and Barbie. Audrey Hepburn began her famous quote with the words, “I believe in pink.” The power of pink can’t be ignored. I think pink will always hold an element of femininity, but it also sends the message that you don’t have to be masculine to be powerful. Fortunately, for those of us who adore pink, the color never goes out of fashion and is universally flattering. The key to wearing pink is to use your skin tone as a guide. Pink skin tones look best in cool, soft pinks such as light rose, ballet, or petal-pink. Yellow-based tones can wear warmer shades such as salmon, peach, or coral. Bright pinks look great on olive and dark skin. This concept applies to makeup as well as clothing. In clothing, pink plays well with darker colors like black, brown, gray, and navy because the contrast is appealing. If you want to wear pink but don’t want to look too girly, simply choose a menswear-inspired cut to downplay the girliness. Heavier fabrics of denim, leather, or wool can also give your
pink ensemble an edgy vibe. Pink accessories are perfect for adding just the right pop of pink. Sunglasses, handbags, earrings, shoes, and scarves can give you a modern or sophisticated look. A classic pairing of pink with gray always works, but a daring pairing of pink with orange, red, or teal will show your confidence and savvy sense of style. I believe loving the color pink isn’t something you decide to do; it’s something you are born feeling. I know a little girl (besides myself) who at one-yearold became infatuated with the color. “Pink” was one of her first words, she only wanted to color with a pink crayon on pink paper, and she cried to wear a pink dress with her pink Converse sneakers. It was adorable. I don’t think any other color—in the rainbow or not—sparks such emotion, demands immediate attention, and always makes a statement. Real or not, there is something refined, whimsical, alluring, and irresistible about this pretty, powerful color. Ee
Style expert JeanAnn Taylor jeananntaylor@rewnc.com
The perfect gift for your little ballerina! Read the story of Lily, an endearing little girl who’s passion for spinning gets her into trouble until she learns to spin like a ballerina. Available at
A Walk in the Woods 423 Main Street, Hendersonville The Sock Basket, 99 Edgewood Rd, Suite A, Asheville
and online at gratefulsteps.org
Written by local author, JeanAnn Taylor
For more information on book signing events, please call 828-989-2651 February 2020 | 50+ Living | 17
ADVERTORIAL
Cooking Wine! by Gina Trippi
Customer comes into our shop and asks for a wine to put into her Beef Bourgogne 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! 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.” 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. 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. 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. 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 well-rounded 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 | www.metrowinesasheville.com 18 | 50+ Page 2 Living | February 2020
50 + Living | February 2020
Quotes about Eating Chocolate Those who say, “Nothing tastes as good as thin feels” haven’t tasted real chocolate! Anonymous I don’t understand why so many “so called” chocolate lovers complain about the calories in chocolate, when all true chocoholics know that it is a vegetable. It comes from the cocoa bean. Beans are vegetables. Anonymous If you can’t eat all your chocolate, it will keep in the freezer. But if you can’t eat all your chocolate, what’s wrong with you? Anonymous If I eat equal amounts of dark chocolate and white chocolate, is that a balanced diet? Don’t they actually counteract each other? Anonymous Among life’s mysteries is how a two-pound box of chocolate can make a person gain five pounds. Anonymous
continued on page 20
February 2020 | 50+ Living | 19
My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what I start. So far today, I have finished two bags of M&M’s and a chocolate cake. I feel better already. Dave Barry Carob is a brown powder made from the pulverized fruit of a Mediterranean evergreen. Some consider carob an adequate substitute for chocolate because it has some similar nutrients (calcium, phosphorus), and because it can, when combined with vegetable fat and sugar, be made to approximate the color and consistency of chocolate. Of course, the same arguments can as persuasively be made in favor of dirt. Sandra Boynton, Chocolate: the Consuming Passion
Make a list of important things to do today. At the top of your list, put ‘eat chocolate.’ Now, you’ll get at least one thing done today. Gina Hayes What you see before you, my friend, is the result of a lifetime of chocolate: a pound a day, often. Katharine Hepburn The superiority of chocolate, both for health and nourishment, will soon give it the same preference over tea and coffee in America which it has in Spain. Thomas Jefferson Chemically speaking, chocolate really is the world’s perfect food. Michael Levine, nutrition researcher
If one swallows a cup of chocolate only three hours after a copious lunch, everything will be perfectly digested and there will still be room for dinner. Anthelme Brillat-Savarin
If I want a bite of chocolate cake, I will have it. I just won’t eat the whole cake like I used to! Judith Light
My chocolate fantasy would be that I could eat all the chocolate in every conceivable form that I could possibly ever want and it wouldn’t do anything bad to my body or my skin or my disposition. Actually, it would have no calories at all. Helen Gurley Brown
Your face makes my soul want to eat chocolate pudding! Andy Milonakis
Venice is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs in one go. Truman Capote You know an odd feeling? Sitting on the toilet eating a chocolate candy bar. George Carlin I never do any television without chocolate. That’s my motto and I live by it. Quite often, I write the scripts and I make sure there are chocolate scenes. Actually, I’m a bit of a chocolate tart and will eat anything. It’s amazing I’m so slim. Dawn French
Europe is scooters. Europe is five young people on one bench sharing a chocolate bar. Their idea of entertainment and fun is so much different than ours, which is exactly why a movie about them would be funny. Mike Myers I, for one, get rather annoyed when I settle into a nice bubble bath with some Belgian chocolate and a mystery at my side only to discover that all of the characters in the latter are still alive at the end. Miram Nadel Eating chocolate can have significant influences on mood, generally leading to an increase in pleasant feelings and a reduction in tension. Peter Rogers, Ph.D., Institute of Food Research Exercise is a dirty word. Every time I hear it I wash my mouth out with chocolate. Charles Schulz Chocolate causes certain endocrine glands to secrete hormones that affect your feelings and behavior by making you happy.
20 | 50+ Living | February 2020
Therefore, it counteracts depression, in turn reducing the stress of depression. Your stress-free life helps you maintain a youthful disposition, both physically and mentally. So, eat lots of chocolate! Elaine Sherman, Book of Divine Indulgences Let us celebrate our agreement with the adding of chocolate to milk. Homer Simpson I probably have some sort of chocolate five times a week. There’s definitely a change it does to the chemistry of the body. It’s my favorite feeling. I live for it. John Travolta I’m fighting a losing battle here: I’m trying to lose some weight. I love chocolate; that’s one of my biggest downfalls. I haven’t gotten a whole lot of chocolate, thank goodness, because I’d probably be about 300 pounds. Carrie Underwood Chocolate contains large amounts of the same beneficial plant chemicals that now have burnished the reputation of tea. In fact, just one ounce of chocolate has about as much of these plant chemicals as a cup of brewed black tea. One large, ongoing study of the benefits of exercise found that men who eat chocolate in moderation live longer than those who eat none. University of California-Berkeley Wellness Letter Strength is the capacity to break a chocolate bar into four pieces with your bare hands and then eat just one of the pieces. Judith Viorst There are four basic food groups: milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, and chocolate truffles. Daniel Worona
Want to Adver tise? Call us at 828.230.7537 for information and rates.
February 2020 | 50+ Living | 21
Ways to Stay Active During Winter
F
or many people, winter weather means they have to be sedentary and hibernate. Unlike bears, the human body is not designed to be sedentary when cold weather approaches. Our bodies require us to stay active in order to maintain proper immune system function and mobility.
Although it can be difficult to find things to do during the winter months to help you stay active and healthy, there are a few possibilities at your disposal. You don’t need a gym membership to find ways to keep active during winter. Some of the best ways to stay active when all you want to do is hibernate can be done from the comfort of your home, or at least nearby.
Walk Winter weather doesn’t mean you can’t spend time outside. Getting outside and enjoying the fresh, cold air is good for a 22 | 50+ Living | February 2020
body that has been stuck indoors for a while. Be sure to dress warmly and walk along areas that are free of ice when journeying outdoors for a cold walk.
Play in the Snow Getting outdoors and playing in the snow is one of the best ways to stay active during the cold months. Pulling out the sled, making snow angels, building a snowman, going snowboarding, and numerous other fun snowy activities can help keep your body healthy and happy during the cold months. A huge plus to all of this is that you can make it fun for the entire family.
Winter Cleaning Cleaning the house isn’t strictly reserved for spring weather. Cleaning nooks and crannies, organizing closets and drawers, and a host of other cleaning activities are all great ways to avoid staying sedentary during the cold winter months.
Volunteering Volunteering at your local soup kitchen, food bank or donation center is a great way to stay active during the cold winter months, while also serving your community. Through
volunteering, you will be providing those who are in need with a warm meal, warm clothing, and helping them to stay comfortable during the harsh winter weather. While volunteering your time won’t give you fitness model abs, you will be keeping your body busy and active and also helping others.
Indoor Exercise There are numerous exercises you can perform indoors without the need of a gym. Yoga is an excellent way to keep the body limber and prevent stiffness when cold weather agitates the body’s limbs. Basic aerobics is another way to stay active and healthy during the winter months. Staying active during winter is a great way to keep your body strong and healthy. When you stay sedentary, your immune system becomes weakened and your body becomes stiff. Keeping your body active during winter doesn’t require that you run marathons. Keep moving for a healthy and happy body. Ee
The Western North Carolina Chapter of Project Linus donates blankets to children in crisis providing a sense of security and warmth. Over the past twelve years the local chapter has donated over 75,000 blankets in 12 western North Carolina counties. The annual Make-A-Blanket Day for Buncombe County will be on March 21 at Eliada Home. Mark your calendar now for this special event. If interested, contact Ellen Knoefel at (828) 645-8800 gknoefel@charter.net or Pat Crawford (828) 883-8746 in Transylvania County.
projectlinusofwnc.org
February 2020 | 50+ Living | 23
Quality Patient-Centered Dental Care Whatever dentistry you’re in need of, you’ll feel comfortable with Dr. Zachary S. Holcombe, and his team. Being “patient-centered” means that your positive experience, in every detail, is our primary concern. Our team offers a wide variety of services and procedures to accomodate all your dental wants and needs. • DIAGNOSTIC & PREVENTATIVE • COSMETIC DENTISTRY
Dr. Holcombe is a native of Greenville, NC who attended North Carolina State University for undergraduate studies before earning his DMD from East Carolina University. He is married to his wife Amy and they have one child. When not practicing dentistry he enjoys spending time out doors with his friends and family.
• DENTAL IMPLANTS • PROSTHODONTICS • PERIODONTICS • ORAL SURGERY
New Smiles are Always Welcome! ParkSouth office complex, Suite B-2, 1944 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 684-3839
Zachary S. Holcombe, D.M.D. GENERAL DENTISTRY
www.DentalAsheville.com
When Love Gets Tough Making the Decision
Everyone vows they will never put their loved one in a nursing home. We all hope we can keep that promise, and that our lives may be enriched for many years. But the reality is that age and decline often take their toll, leaving us unable to manage alone, and placing an overwhelming burden on our extended family and friends to help us get through the day. It is then that we must decide who we can trust to help us care for our beloved. You’ll find that when your loved one comes to live at Flesher’s Fairview Health & Retirement Center, your family becomes our family, carrying on our family tradition of a family serving families for over three decades. That’s the true spirit of mountain living! • The only family owned facility in Buncombe County operating for over 50 years. • The third generation of RNs and administrators now dedicate themselves full time to continuing the tradition of excellence. • Offering short- and long-term care for Skilled Nursing Care, Assisted Living and Respite Cars. • On-site physical, occupational and speech therapy. • Ideally located between Asheville and Hendersonville minutes from WNC’s finest hospital systems. • On-site services provided: Psychiatric, Dental, Optometry, Podiatry, Dietitian and Wound Care Services.
• All inclusive rate includes: laundry, cable, Wi-Fi, housekeeping, activities and outings, three nutritious meals a day and snacks, 24-hour nursing services, and medical and incontinent supplies (small fee for transportation and barber/beauty services). • Group activity outings: Cherokee Casino, fishing, baseball games, County Fair, circus, movies, shopping, zoos, Parkway rides and picnics. • A Medical Team of geriatric and family practice physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants who take personal interest in each resident and make routine weekly on-site visits and are on call 24 hours a day.
A Family Serving Families since 1964 3016 Cane Creek Road Fairview, NC
828-628-2800 www.fleshers.net
24 | 50+ Living | February 2020
