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Helpful Hints for Your Home Sponsored by Capital City Ace Hardware, The Helpful Place
4 Simple Steps For Reducing Your Homes Energy Costs January 5th is cut your energy cost day (who knew) and there are ways to save a bunch with just a few simple steps. Here are my 4 simple steps to reduce your monthly bills when it comes to energy usage. Windows and doors are the areas of greatest loss when it comes to your comfort especially during the winter months. By eliminating the drafts, you can increase the energy efficiency of those areas by as much as 70%. Products like self-stick weather stripping, window insulation, clay caulking rope and removable caulking are easy to install and will improve both comfort and lower your energy use. Having your furnace or boiler cleaned each year is money well spent. This will ensure that the system is operating at peak efficiency and safely. A typical clean and check costs between $100-$150 by a trained HVAC contractor. Look for technicians that are N.A.T.E certified, for the most comprehensive inspection. Did you know that the average home in the US has 45 lightbulbs? For this tip, let’s assume all of those are 60-watt incandescent bulbs and they’re all on. That’s 2,700 watts of electricity being used. If you replaced all of those with equivalent brightness LED bulbs which only use 9 watts each, that’s a total of 405 watts. Now no one ever has all the lights on but as you can see, the energy savings are huge. Also, the color of the LED bulbs is comparable to incandescent or halogen bulbs and they can last up to 30,000 hours. Put your programmable thermostat to good use. Most of us set our thermostat to one setting and leave it there. But changing the temperature in your home no more than 8-10 degrees throughout the year can actually save you up to 20% on the energy you use to heat and cool your home. At night when you are snug under the covers is a great time to turn the temp down and then turn it back up about an hour before your rise. The same is true if The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
you’re away from the home during the day for work. The trick is no more than a ten-degree shift as the energy used to move the temp back up would negate the savings. While National Cut Your Energy Day may not be quite as fun as national ice cream day, you could save enough to have ice cream anytime you want. 5 Easy Projects to Save on Utilities Chances are, your utility bill doubles and even triples at the height of the season – especially, if you live in an older home. But, with some simple projects, you can make your home more energy efficient, even on a tight budget. Here are five fast fixes to help you start saving: Lower Your Lighting Costs: Replace the light bulbs you use most with energy-saving LED light bulbs. Use compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs in other fixtures until you can upgrade all your lamps to LEDs. With LED bulbs you can save over 80% in energy costs over an incandescent bulb and they can last for decades. CFLs use a fourth of the energy of incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer. Tune Up the Toilet: Toilets account for almost 30% of the water use in the average home. And, leaky toilets are the #1 source of water waste in homes. In fact, that constantly running toilet can waste 2004,800 gallons of water per day. Fix the problem yourself by installing a toilet tank repair kit that features a new fill valve, flush valve and flapper that will conserve water. Fix Leaky Fixtures: Dripping faucets can also cause a spike in your water bill. Replacing the usual suspects (the aerator and rubber washer, or a faulty cartridge) is inexpensive and the savings add up. And, install a water-saving showerhead. A WaterSense labeled model can save the average family 2,900 gallons per year. Hot Water Help: Your water heater may be working harder than it needs to. Reduce
the temperature on the unit to about 120 degrees. Installing an insulating blanket can save about 4-9% in water heating costs if your water heater has a low insulating R-value already. If the unit is older than 12 years, you may want to look into replacing it with a new, more energy-efficient model. Install a Programmable Thermostat: A programmable thermostat can significantly reduce energy costs, especially in the winter and summer months. Programmable models allow you to automatically adjust the temperature throughout the day, creating a specific energy-saving ‘program’ for weekdays and weekends. Some models even allow you to set preferences on the hour for each day of the week. WiFi or Bluetooth enabled devices add extra control and convenience by letting you adjust the settings remotely from a smartphone. Sources: S www.epa.gov/WaterSense/products/toilets.html S http://m.korky.com/water-saving-tips.php S http://www.epa.gov/WaterSense/products/ showerheads.html S http://publicaccess.supportportal.com/link/ portal/23002/23018/Article/20279/Should-Iinstall-an-insulating-blanket-on-my-water-heater?_ ga=1.117921289.1012339284.1419364206
We’re always here to help. We welcome our neighbors in Montgomery! Capital City Ace is a local, family-owned hardware store ready to meet all your needs in any area of improvement in your home or property. Come see us today, we are just a few miles from your Montgomery neighborhood. Our Hours are: Mon - Sat: 8 am - 7 pm and Sun: 11 am 5 pm. Capital City Ace Hardware, 3215 Taylor Rd (1 block from Vaughn Rd.), Montgomery, AL. capitalcityace.com
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Genghis Khan Invades Downtown Mobile!
Discover the man behind the legend in the blockbuster exhibition experienced by over a million people around the world In the tradition of years past, the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center is proud to announce a return to major blockbuster exhibitions in the Spring of 2019. On the scale of its China and Pompeii exhibits, the Exploreum invites visitors to take a journey back in time with one of history’s most prolific and controversial figures - Genghis Khan. Through artifacts, performers, artwork, and other historically significant items, discover the eye-opening story of the world’s most well-known conqueror, civilizer and innovator in the exhibition Genghis Khan: The Great Civilizer – opening at the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center on Saturday, January 26, 2019. Curated and developed by dinosaur expert Don Lessem, the exhibition features more than 300 spectacular objects on display, including rare and sophisticated weapons, costumes, jewels, ornaments, instruments and numerous other fascinating relics and elaborate artifacts from 13th-century Mongolia. “I went to Mongolia to look for fossils and discovered the truth about Genghis Khan, a civilizing genius,” said Lessem. “It’s a great story best told in a major exhibition.” Experience life in 13th-century Mongolia, entering the tents, battlegrounds and marketplaces of a vanished world that was once the largest land empire in history. Explore Genghis Khan’s life and those of his sons and grandsons during the formation, peak and decline of the Mongol Empire. As the exhibit strikingly portrays, Genghis’s reputation as the greatest conqueror is well-deserved – he dominated three times more land in his lifetime than either Julius Caesar or Alexander the Great, a conquest attested to by the formidable array of swords, bows, arrows, saddles and armor included on display in Genghis Khan. In fact, the historic exhibition showcases hundreds of artifacts from Genghis’s 13th century Empire, the largest such collection ever to tour. However, this special exhibition presents a more complete image of the legendary leader whom Time Magazine and CNN named “The Man of the Millennium.” As visitors discover, Genghis not only created the nation of Mongolia and its written language, but his lineage established the modern borders of nations from India to Iran, Korea to China and opened the trade routes that united East and West, forever after. Visitors will experience the exhibition through the eyes of a Mongolian resident, receiving a civilian identity card at the beginning of their journey. From warrior to spy to princess, they will follow this character’s life throughout the rise of the great Mongol Empire across six key scenes: •The Grasslands: Discover the daily life of a nomad on the high plateaus of Central Asia and learn about the outcast Genghis Khan’s earliest struggles. Walk into an ancient Mongol ger (yurt) home. Stand in the midst of a herd of stampeding horses. • Rise of the Mongols: Learn how the young, charismatic Genghis Khan united warring tribes in order to form an unrivaled cavalry. Explore the equestrian culture and innovations in weaponry Genghis Khan mastered to conquer four times more land than any Empire in history. • The Walled City: Enter the recreation of Karakorum, the walled city, which became the capital of the Mongolian Empire after Genghis Khan’s son inherited the kingdom. See how life changed for Mongols once they had vanquished all of their enemies, and arts and diverse religions and cultures flourished as the need for war subsided. • The Silk Road: While Genghis Khan was a ruthless warrior, he was also a savvy statesman and benevolent ruler. He developed a written language and a sophisticated society with fair taxation, stable government, appreciation of the arts, religious freedom and open trade along the Silk Road. Explore this vital trade route which enabled the exchange of both goods and ideas between cultures. • The Palace of Kublai Khan - Enter the sumptuous Chinese palace of Xanadu, the center of the Empire of Genghis’s grandson, Kublai, who united China for the first time. See porcelain treasures and a sword with the emblem of a guardian of Marco Polo, among many others. • Mongolia Today: Trace the influence of Genghis Khan in images of modern Mongolian life. The distinctive horse-based culture of Genghis Khan’s time persists today as the nation and language he created lives on eight centuries after his rule. See how his legend lives on through the namesake of many modern Mongolian brands, and how he was revered as a god among the Mongolian people. Genghis Khan will open to the general public on Saturday, January 26, 2019. Additional details to come in the following months.
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The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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January 2019
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BOOM!, The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
Contents
January 2019 Volume 9 Issue 6
You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”
Facebook.com/RiverRegionBoom C.S. Lewis
Thought Relationships Taste Inspiration
Humor Advice Health Community
“Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.”
Carl Bard
3 Reducing Your Homes Energy Costs 4 Genghis Khan Invades Downtown Mobile! 8 Publisher’s Letter 11 LEARNING NEW THINGS AND MAKING NEW FRIENDS WITH AUM OLLI! page 30
Features
16 Benefits of Meditating as We Age
30 People in Their 50s and 60s Are Having Cataract Surgery
38 The ABCs of CBDs
12 Old Wives’ Tales Linda Carter 14 Gut feelings: How food affects your mood Leigh Anne Richards
40 What it will take to live at home for the rest of your life
20 Holiday Burnout Ask an Elder Law Attorney
Departments 22 This and That Interesting Stuff
44 {12} Things For Active Boomers
42 Greg Budell MR. RIGHT ON THE MONEY
22 The Commodores Performing @ The MPAC 23 New Spa at Grand National 24 MMFA Winter Exhibits 27 Martin Luther King Jr. Citywide Celebration 32 BOOM! Cover Profile
page 32
page 44
page 32
page 16
page 44
page 22
page 45
page 12
46 Frozen Dessert Versus Ice Cream Eating Smart with Tracy Bhalla
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BOOM! The River Regions 50+ Lifestage Magazine is published monthly by River Region Publications, P.O. Box 6203, Montgomery, AL 36106. The phone number is 334.324.3472. Copyright 2019 by River Region Publications. No part of this publication can be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Opinions expressed in BOOM! The River Regions 50+ Lifestage Magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the owners, nor do they constitute an endorsement of products and services herein.
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Publisher’s Letter
A New Way for the New Year I hope the holidays were above expectations when it comes to joy and happiness. Mine was. The mission of BOOM! is to serve the folks of the River Region age 50 plus with information and ideas to inspire new experiences, better quality of life and new beginnings.
As I finished up the year, preparing for 2019, I discovered a new way to approach what lies ahead in the New Year. Typically, some of us set new, bold resolutions and try to keep track of them until they become vapor, and forgotten. This year I’m thinking about trying a little different approach. It’s from an author and podcasting guru named Tim Ferris. It takes 30-60 minutes and looks something like this:
Publisher/Editor
Jim Watson, 334.324.3472 jim@riverregionboom.com
1. Grab a notepad and create two columns: POSITIVE and NEGATIVE.
Contributing Writers Tracy Bhalla Greg Budell
2. Go through your calendar from the last year, looking at every week.
Kyrié Carpenter Linda Cater Caitlin Kelly Brandt McDonald Tami Kamin Meyer Leigh Anne Richards Jess Stonefield Raley L. Wiggins
3. For each week, jot down on the pad any people or activities or commitments that triggered high positive or negative emotions for that month. Put them in their respective columns. Jim Watson, Publisher
4. Once you’ve gone through the past year, look at your notepad list and ask, “What 20% of each column produced the most reliable or powerful highs?”
Cover Photography
5. Based on the answers, take your “positive” leaders and schedule more of them in the new year. Get them on the calendar now! Book things with friends and prepay for activities/events/commitments that you know work. It’s not real until it’s in the calendar. That’s step one. Step two is to take your “negative” leaders, put “NOT-TO-DO LIST” at the top, and put them somewhere you can see them each morning for the first few weeks of 2019. These are the people and things you *know* make you miserable, so don’t put them on your calendar out of obligation, guilt, FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), or other nonsense.
Shellee Roberts Total Image Portraits www.totalimage.com 334.261.2080
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Jim Watson, 334.324.3472 jim@riverregionboom.com
Give it a try and see how it works for you. If eliminating the negative energy from people, activities and commitments will give you more of what you need it sounds like a good exercise to begin the year!
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We begin the new year with a cover profile of a man who has been part of the BOOM! family for many years, as a writer and an advertiser. Many of you have read his financial columns or heard him on Greg Budell’s Happy Hour Radio Show (3-6 pm, NEWSTALK 93.1 FM). He’s none other than Brandt McDonald, of McDonald Hagen Wealth Management. By some standards Brandt is a young man in the aging community but has the wisdom of his grandfather, who shared much with Brandt while he was growing up in Montgomery. In this month’s interview, you’ll get a chance to hear Brandt’s thoughts as he shares some of his life’s story. Hope you enjoy the read, Brandt is worth getting to know. We have plenty more to sink your reading teeth into, including the benefits of meditation as we age, the growing acceptance of aging in our own homes, as well as considering cataract surgery in your 50s or 60s. Leigh Anne Richards shares some good info she researched about your gut health and the way food affects our moods! Also, if you’ve ever been challenged by managing your money, Greg Budell has a funny take on his personal experience and the one who finally helped him find sanity with money! Please consider our advertisers when you have needs, they’re all on the right side of positive aging and would love to do business with each of you. Please share your thoughts on this issue or any other ideas regarding BOOM! I love to listen. Be the best you can be in 2019, Happy New Year!
Jim jim@riverregionboom.com 334.324.3472 cell/text
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The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
MAKE 2019 A YEAR OF LEARNING NEW THINGS AND MAKING NEW FRIENDS WITH AUM OLLI! It’s not too late to sign up for the 2019 OLLI Winter Term (January 28-March 13). While some Winter term classes are full with a waiting list, there are some exciting new offerings and popular continuing classes for members in the Winter & Spring Terms. So don’t wait and sign up today for your choice of classes! Study/discussion classes include a consideration of the nature of love, the history of freedom, perspectives (biographical, fictional, and dramatic) on the love story of Joy Davidman and C. S. Lewis, leisure activities in antebellum Montgomery, investing, and a consideration of the imagination through a short story and a film. Everyone can use some guidance with investing, and this class discusses risks, benefits and costs of investments. The imagination pairs Edgar Allan Poe and Stephen King for an unusual study of the human psyche in isolation.
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The hands-on classes continue to attract lively participants: zentangle, paper engineering, jewelry making, and pine needle basket weaving. Winter term also brings a new computer class designed to help individuals enhance their documents. For those who would like to improve their culinary skills, OLLI is offering a class in sugar craft skills and cake decorating. For active OLLI members, the ever-popular line dancing and ballroom dancing classes continue to be offered. A new class that will get members moving is Argentine tango. OLLI is fortunate for have a specially trained couple to teach these tango moves. We are excited to announce that a new dance floor is being installed in one of the classrooms in the Center for Lifelong Learning. Also returning is the popular hiking class which will be offered on Tuesdays.
Bonus opportunities include the Tuesday Book Discussion Group and Brain Bowl, on first and third Tuesdays of the term. Brown Bag Lunch presentations feature an architectural artist, a novelist, a historian, and a journalist’s look at editorial cartoons. The potluck lunch, originated in the fall term of 2018, will be offered again. There will also be an informational session about the spring OLLI field trip to Selma art studios and galleries, a trip scheduled for April 12, 2019. Make a New Year’s resolution to get involved in AUM OLLI. For details about the class schedule and bonus opportunities, see the new 2019 catalog for winter, spring, and summer, now available at the Center for Lifelong Learning and online at www.aum.edu/OLLI. You can also register for membership and for classes at that same site. If you have any questions, please contact Brittany Thomasson at 334-244-3804 or bthomass@aum.edu.
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By Linda Cater
In my younger days I was a total novice in the care of plants. I would listen and often try suggestions from anyone if I had a plant problem. It never would matter if it made sense or was practical or even if it was expensive. I was always in with trying anything at any time.
Old Wives’ Tales
My husband and I bought a dream home with the swimming pool I had always desired. The landscaping was gorgeous, or so I was told by everyone that saw it, as that was not part of the house that I so desired. Little did I know the landscaping would soon require all my time. The time that I had planned to spend in the gorgeous pool. You see, the house had been owned by someone in the greenhouse business. I don’t mean a Mom and Pop greenhouse business, but; someone that owned several hundred plants and even shipped plants from all over the world. You can just imagine what kind of beautiful and exotic plants I had starring me in the face in that yard. After much anguish, I decided to take one type of plant at a time and try to keep it alive. I started with the hostas as they were everywhere and were my favorites simply because they came back every year regardless of what I had done to them. Don’t even bother to ask me what type they were, at that time to me, just a green hosta. I kept finding holes in the leaves of these hostas so I felt something was having at least three meals a day with extra snacks. One old wives’ tale that had been shared by a respected gardening friend was to get a flash light and go out at night and pick the “worms” off each plant. ‘Are you for real I asked
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him?’ First, he told me they were not worms but slugs. I really didn’t care what they were as I just wanted them gone. But in my neighborhood the police would have come to pick me up if I had gone hunting at night for these wormy slugs. The next suggestion I heard was to place beer in a jar lid underneath the plant. Supposedly the slugs would drink the beer and die. Well let’s try this one because I could do this during the day and then go back the next day and they would be dead. I really liked the idea of drunk slugs because it sounded sooooo easy. I hurried to get about a dozen of these jar lids filled with beer. The next morning, I ran to check for my drunk slugs. To my surprise there were
no slugs. None, whatsoever. I kept doing the beer out in my lids for about two weeks without any luck of finding these drunken slugs and the holes were getting larger and larger in my hosta leaves.
I could not afford to continue using all my husband’s beer for fat slugs who obviously had been drinking and eating and having a big old party in my yard. So, I got that flashlight that had previously been suggested, come police or not, I was going to see what those slugs were doing. Decked out in all my detective garb, I get settled in my back yard. After about an hour, I heard a tremendous slurping noise which scared me to death because all I could think of was a giant slug coming after me. I was then afraid that I would need something more than a flashlight for protection. In my mind I kept thinking who gives a hoot about some old green plant anyway. Let me just get out of here quickly. It was then that I saw a brown nose come up out of the hosta leaves. My Labrador Retriever was peeking from underneath the leaves at me with the typical Labrador grin after they have done something they did not want you to catch them doing. She was burping and smelled of beer. Gee, I had a drunk dog and sober slugs still chomping on my leaves. I decided then that I would only use the researched methods for my plant problems. Linda Cater, an intern in the 2018 Master Gardener Class, lives in Montgomery. For more information on becoming a master gardener, visit www.capcitymga.org or email capcitymga@gmail.com.
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Gut feelings: How food affects your mood
The human microbiome, or gut environment, is a community of different bacteria that has co-evolved with humans to be beneficial to both a person and the bacteria. Researchers agree that a person’s unique microbiome is created within the first 1,000 days of life, but there are things you can do to alter your gut environment throughout your life.
Ultra-processed foods and gut health What we eat, especially foods that contain chemical additives and ultraprocessed foods, affects our gut environment and increases our risk of diseases. Ultra-processed foods contain substances extracted from food (such as sugar and starch), added from food constituents (hydrogenated fats), or made in a laboratory (flavor enhancers, food colorings). It’s important to know that ultra-processed foods such as fast foods are manufactured to be extra tasty by the use of such ingredients or additives and are cost effective to the consumer. These foods are very common in the typical Western diet. Some examples of processed foods are canned foods, sugar-coated dried fruits, and salted meat products. Some examples of ultraprocessed foods are soda, sugary or savory packaged snack foods, packaged breads, buns and pastries, fish or chicken nuggets, and instant noodle soups. Researchers recommend “fixing the food first” (in other words, what we eat) before trying gut modifying-therapies (probiotics, prebiotics) to improve how we feel. They suggest eating whole
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Fitness over Fifty
(bacteria), the gut lining, and the immune system.
Diet and depression A recent study suggests that eating a healthy, balanced diet such as the Mediterranean diet and avoiding inflammationproducing foods may be protective against depression. Another study outlines an Antidepressant Food Scale, which lists 12 antidepressant nutrients related to the prevention and treatment of depression. Some of the foods containing these nutrients are oysters, mussels, salmon, watercress, spinach, romaine lettuce, cauliflower, and strawberries.
by Leigh Anne Richards
foods and avoiding processed and ultraprocessed foods that we know cause inflammation and disease. But what does my gut have to do with my mood? When we consider the connection between the brain and the gut, it’s important to know that 90% of serotonin receptors are located in the gut. In the relatively new field of nutritional psychiatry we help patients understand how gut health and diet can positively or negatively affect their mood. When someone is prescribed an antidepressant such as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), the most common side effects are gut-related, and many people temporarily experience nausea, diarrhea, or gastrointestinal problems. There is anatomical and physiologic two-way communication between the gut and brain via the vagus nerve. The gut-brain axis offers us a greater understanding of the connection between diet and disease, including depression and anxiety. When the balance between the good and bad bacteria is disrupted, diseases may occur. Examples of such diseases include: irritable bowel disease (IBD), asthma, obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and cognitive and mood problems. For example, IBD is caused by dysfunction in the interactions between microbes
A better diet can help, but it’s only one part of treatment. It’s important to note that just like you cannot exercise out of a bad diet, you also cannot eat your way out of feeling depressed or anxious. We should be careful about using food as the only treatment for mood, and when we talk about mood problems, we are referring to mild and moderate forms of depression and anxiety. In other words, food is not going to impact serious forms of depression and thoughts of suicide, and it is important to seek treatment in an emergency room or contact your doctor if you are experiencing thoughts about harming yourself. Suggestions for a healthier gut and improved mood • Eat whole foods and avoid packaged or processed foods, which are high in unwanted food additives and preservatives that disrupt the healthy bacteria in the gut. • Instead of vegetable or fruit juice, consider increasing your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. Frozen fruits without added sugars/additives are a good choice too. • Eat enough fiber and include whole grains and legumes in your diet. • Include probiotic-rich foods such as plain yogurt without added sugars. • To reduce sugar intake at breakfast, The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
add cinnamon to plain yogurt with berries, or to oatmeal or chia pudding. • Adding fermented foods such as kefir (unsweetened), sauerkraut, or kimchi can be helpful to maintain a healthy gut. • Eat a balance of seafoods and lean poultry, and less red meat each week. • Add a range of colorful fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet, and consider choosing certain organic produce. This is a very popular topic today among the medical community. Now, that we are beginning a New Year with our resolutions about our “diets”, I thought this information from the Harvard Health Publishing Harvard Medical School, would be apropos. Our diets during the holidays are filled with sugar, alcohol, and many processed foods. Let’s start 2019 with better choices to keep our gut healthy and improve our overall well being. Source: Uma Naidoo, M.D. is an Instructor in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. She trained at the Harvard Longwood Psychiatry Residency Training Program and is currently the Director of Nutritional and Lifestyle Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital. She also graduated from the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts as a Professional Chef and was awarded the MFK Fisher award for Innovation.
Leigh Anne Richards, MEd, Certified Personal Trainer, Group Exercise Instructor, General Manager- MetroFitness. For any questions or comments, contact Leigh Anne at LAMetrofit@aol.com
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When you read the Digital & Interactive version of BOOM! on your digital device you will be interactive with every website and email link in the magazine. You can click through to a writer’s source, an advertiser, send comments and suggestions, request more info and share your favorite reads on Facebook and Twitter. The Digital & Interactive version was built for the new you so go ahead and sign up for a free subscription at RiverRegionBoom.com and enjoy “BOOM!, the best reading experience for the 50+ community” The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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Benefits of Meditating as We Age Reduce Suffering. Meditation teaches us to be in the moment. When our awareness is in the present moment in a nonjudgemental way, we suffer less. It’s Free. It is one of the very few things in our capitalistic culture that is free. You do not need any fancy gadgets or training. No Negative Side Effects. Meditation helps reduce stress, pain, anxiety, and depression among other things. Pharmacological interventions for these same ills come with a host of nasty side-effects. This lack of side-effects makes meditation very appealing. Primarily, as a first or adjunctive intervention. Protect Your Brain. Meditating slows decreases in the volume of gray and white matter in the brain as we age. Meditation may “reduce the cognitive decline associated with normal aging.” One remarkable study found that at age fifty, brains of meditators appeared to be 7.5 years younger and that the benefits compounded with time.
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Stay Focused. Our world is chock full of distractions. We have become obsessed with multi-tasking. Meditation helps us focus our attention.
Get More Done. In a study of older people, a regular meditation practice resulted in the increased performance of tasks. It Doesn’t Take Much. 10 minutes five times a week can yield significant results. Most studies show some effects persisting even after meditation stopped. However, results are better for those who have a
continued meditation practice. Cardiovascular Health. While modest, there are some cardiovascular benefits to meditation. Cardiovascular health helps prevent and slow dementia as well. Improve Sleep. Dr. Bill Thomas extols the importance of MESH (move, eat, sleep,
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
heal) if we want to keep the highest quality of life as we age. As we age, it is normal and natural for our sleep to become more fragmented. We need to have good sleep hygiene. A benefit of meditation is better sleep to have better days and nights. Decrease Dementia Risk. Mediation may decrease your chances of getting dementia or slow its progression. The Worse off You are, the Better it Works. “Those with worse mental health at baseline were more likely to improve.” with a meditation intervention. Reduce Pain. Meditation can help reduce chronic pain and associated depression. Longtime meditators’ brains appear to learn new ways to process pain. Improve Body Image. Meditation resulted in “reductions in body dissatisfaction, body shame, and contingent self-worth based on appearance, as well as greater gains in self-compassion and body appreciation.” Loving-kindness meditation yielded these results.
What is Meditation? Meditation is an umbrella term for different mindfulness practices. All meditation works to train one’s mind and body to be conscious, still and focused. Meditation teaches us to notice and be able to shift our awareness. Wisdom and religious traditions have incorporated meditation or prayer for thousands of years. Recently neuroscientists have begun to study the benefits of meditation. There are three types of meditation used most often in research. There are countless varieties in the world. Focused Attention Meditation. The practitioner focuses on something such as a mantra, breath, or an object. This focus helps calm their mind to be able to notice when attention has swayed from the point of focus. In the beginning be gentle with yourself as your attention will stray often.
Open Monitoring Meditation. One begins to notice where awareness is and watch it. Metaphors such as ‘watch your thoughts float by like clouds in the sky’ can be helpful. In OMM your attention is on the awareness that is noticing your thoughts. Rather than following the thoughts that pop up, I need to do the laundry, how will my meeting go later, etc., you observe. Loving-Kindness (or Compassion) Meditation. LKM combines techniques from FAM and OMM. LKM focuses on developing loving kindness for every part of ourselves. After self-compassion comes sending this love out to others in the world. For more info google ways to get started meditating or visit the link below. www.psycom.net/mental-healthwellbeing/meditation-resources Author, Kyrié Carpenter is a radically pro-aging and dementia positive coach and thinker. Kyrié’s passion for story led her to a career in film, studies in Depth Psychology, and ultimately her work with aging. She is a book author and blog contributor for multiple platforms.
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Ask an Elder Law Attorney
By: Raley L. Wiggins | Attorney at Law | Red Oak Legal, PC
Holiday Burnout
I am finally sitting down to write this installment of Ask an Elder Law Attorney the day before Boom! is due to go to the printer. Between the hustle and bustle of the holidays and wrapping up 2018, it seems like there is always one thing left to do. If your family is like mine, then every Christmas gathering is a picture-perfect string of joyful reunions with family, fit for a Norman Rockwell painting. ‘Tis the season for rest and relaxation, when nothing will ever go wrong—right?
more like Christmas in July. Frankly, I’m surprised old Saint Nick managed to make his rounds in Montgomery. That famous red velvet suit is great for the dry freezing tundra of the North Pole, but isn’t the ideal outerwear for piloting an open-top sleigh through the torrential rain and heat we enjoyed this year.
But here we are, Well, not exactly. This year our family was Christmas is behind us and 2019 starts lucky to get to visit with my parents and anew. Most of us march into the new siblings, as well as my wife’s family. But year confident (or at least hopeful) that we had a few bumps along the way, too. the mistakes or unexpected developments A nice little Christmas Virus spent the last of last year are safely behind us. couple of weeks working its way through the family. A Christmas Eve trip to the pediatrician was followed by a Christmas Day scramble Estate Planning and Asset Protection Workshop to refill our Wednesday, February 20: Hosted by Red Oak Legal, PC: 1:30-3:30 oldest child’s asthma pm at 322 Catoma Street downtown Montgomery. This educational medicine. workshop presented by local attorney Raley L. Wiggins covers wills, But at least it trusts, powers of attorney, advance directives, living wills, probate culminated in administration, protecting assets from creditors, bankruptcy, divorce our own little “Christmas and remarriage, nursing homes, long-term care and Medicaid Miracle” when qualification. Registration is required. Call 334-625-6774 today to we found the reserve your seat or register online at www.redoaklegalpc.com. one pharmacy
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in town that’s open on Christmas Day. (If you’re curious, it’s the Walgreens on Ann Street!) Medicine refilled and little lungs cleared, we all finally settled down to rest and enjoy the rest of Christmas day. You know, snuggled in front of the fire with a warm cup of hot chocolate. Except that instead of the fire, we were cranking up the AC to fight the sticky eighty-degree weather that made the holiday feel
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When will we ever learn? In my office, I typically help families in two situations. The first is when we help people plan ahead. The second group are what we call “crises” cases. Crises cases are when a family is faced with an immediate or imminent need for our assistance. A loved one has passed away and their estate must be settled; a parent or grandparent is about to enter a nursing home and needs to figure out how to pay
for it; a loved one can no longer manage their own affairs and needs a guardian or conservator to be appointed, just to list a few examples. Even though we see crisis cases in our office every day, it’s difficult to convince people that this will ever happen to their families. That is, there will always be another day, a better time, a perfect time to get around to getting one’s affairs in order, or helping mom or dad to plan to care for themselves in their old age. Some people just aren’t in a hurry to plan ahead. Every year we think that Christmas will be just like that Norman Rockwell image in our mind—a reliving of all of our most precious childhood holiday memories. And every year we have to relearn the lessons of the year before, that despite our best planning there will never be a “perfect” holiday, a perfect Christmas party, a perfect Christmas card, a perfect photo to post on Facebook or Instagram. My wish for all of you this year is that you will be a little wiser than you were last year. I hope that the lessons learned in 2018 will not have to be relearned in 2019. I hope that you all stick to your resolutions for 2019, and finally achieve the perfect image of yourself that you see in your mind. But I also hope that you’ll learn the lesson that we see our clients learning over and over again—you can’t plan for everything, but having a plan sure beats the alternative. Raley L. Wiggins Attorney at Law, Red Oak Legal, PC 334-239-3625 | info@redoaklegalpc.com 322 Catoma Street, Montgomery, AL 36104, www.redoaklegalpc.com The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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The Commodores Performing @ The MPAC in March One of the greatest Motown and R&B / funk artists of all time, The Commodores’ Walter “Clyde” Orange, James Dean “JD” Nicholas and William “WAK” King have influenced both artists young and old and in all genres with their classic songs. The Commodores brand is bigger than ever…legends and icons for over 50 years…70 million albums sold…7 #1 hits for the pop and Motown legends, they continue to blaze trails all over the world. Don’t miss your chance to feature one of the most successful vocal groups of all time in 2019 and beyond as The Commodores continue to thrill audiences with their Greatest Hits Tour – Live! Performing at The MPAC on March 29th, 7:30 pm. For ticket sales and info visit www.mpaconline.org or www.commodoreslive.com
A Korean Cinderella Story The Alabama-Korea Education & Economic Partnership (A-KEEP) has organized the fourth Korean Cultural Experience. The title and theme for this year’s performance is "A Korean Cinderella Story." It will be an hour and a half performance. It is the story of a young girl named Konji who triumphs over adversity and schemes of her evil step-mother and stepsister. Showtime is Saturday, January 26, 6-7:30 pm at the Davis Theatre in Montgomery. Tickets: Students $10 with ID | Adults $20. More info at www.akeep.org or call 334.625.8515. More Information on Website: www.facebook.com/events/1419695544809616
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New Spa at Grand National Auburn Opelika Marriott Resort Sitting adjacent to the lodge inspired Auburn/Opelika Marriott resort, the new three-level spa and fitness center will provide guests and the neighboring community a firstclass wellness facility. The outside flora and fauna weave into the interior, and the decor is inspired by the naturally occurring elements of the “Earth, Water, Air and Fire” found in the natural surroundings of the Alabama landscape. A relaxing luxury retreat inspired by a tree house in an enchanted forest is the best way to describe the feeling of the entry lobby and reception. A place to nourish your body and mind featuring a focal fireplace and tall windows surrounded by comfortable seating, natural materials, hanging plants, swings and an array of body products displayed around a welcoming reception desk made from a local tree. The flow into the locker rooms, lounge areas, and showers are well planned for ease of circulation, privacy and relaxing. The quiet room is a place filled with candlelight, neutral warm colors, an inviting whirlpool and sauna experience and a mesmerizing fire feature surrounded by a healthy refreshment bar, cozy seating, and a twinkling Southern sky ceiling. The hallway leading to the treatment rooms has a progressive pattern of dramatic vertical accent lights highlighting a textural stone wall giving the illusion of an outdoor space. This hallway is punctuated with faux green walls as focal points. Each treatment room invites individual guests to indulge their senses in a naturally relaxing setting. The second floor has a salon equipped with pedicure and manicure stations, hair styling services, and a make-up artist station. An array of beauty products will be displayed amongst the warm salon environment. The upstairs fitness area will feature a light-filled open truss ceiling with the latest cardio and strength training equipment. The central multi-use exercise and movement room invites guests to join a yoga, dance or body sculpting class and will be equipped with a refreshing hydration bar. All in all, whether relaxing or exercising, this world-class faculty has something for everyone wanting to nourish their body and soul. to learn more visit www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-information/fitness-spa-services/csgab-auburn-marriott-opelika-resort-and-spa-at-grand-national/
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MMFA Winter Exhibits Opening Soon Warm up inside of the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts while viewing four stimulating exhibitions this winter season. Beginning Saturday, February 2, at 10 am, Museum visitors will see some of the world’s most exciting art from major artists around the world. About Face: Contemporary Ceramic Sculpture, February 2 through May 12. The human form has fascinated artists for millennia and since the 1960s a new direction in figurative work emerged through the medium of clay. Fine artists of About Face explore personal identity alongside of our collective humanity with pathos and humor. Bouke de Vries: War and Pieces, February 2 through May 12. In War and Pieces, created in 2012, Bouke de Vries creates an elaborate tablescape sculpture inspired by those created by master chefs of the 18th-century using sugar—a rare and valued commodity at the time. Hail Britannia: English Prints of the 18th and 19th Centuries, February 2 through May 12. Prior to the 1730s, English printmakers were largely overshadowed by their Continental counterparts and generally were restricted to producing book illustrations and topical political posters known as “broadsides.” However reproductive engraving flowered in the latter-18th and 19th centuries as commercial publishers created imagery intended for the rising British middle class. Among the works in this installation from the MMFA permanent collection will be examples by two of England’s greatest engravers: William Hogarth (1697–1764) and William Blake (1757–1827). Hogarth is represented by one of his best-known moralizing narrative series of engravings, The Harlot’s Progress, which charts Ferrin Contemporary, Córdova, Cristina, Dame Flores,2017 the rise and fall of a young country girl who finds ultimate ruination in the urban society of 18th-century London. Josef Albers/ Donald Judd: Thematic Variations, February 9 through April 28. Albers/Judd explores the relationship between works by these two influential artists as seen in their approaches to form, structure, and color. For more info visit www.mmfa.org
Beasley Allen honored as Montgomery Impact Maker Beasley Allen was announced as the Large Business category winner of the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce’s Montgomery Impact Maker award during the organization’s Annual Meeting on Tuesday. The award was established to honor and recognize member businesses within the community who are also making an impact in key areas of the city’s image. The award recognizes the firm’s revitalization efforts of downtown Montgomery as well as its contribution to the local economy. For years, Beasley Allen has been fortunate to be part of the revitalization projects in downtown Montgomery and has been delighted to be part of the transformation because it improves the quality of the area where many work and now live, increasing foot traffic and contributing to the local economy. It has invested multiple millions of dollars into projects that have helped bring downtown back to life. The Montgomery Impact Maker award is part of the Montgomery Chamber’s Imagine a Greater Montgomery strategy, an economic development strategy that focuses business, elected and community leaders around a vision of a better, more prosperous Capital City. For more info visit www. beasleyallen.com/news.
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Art Talk & Afternoon Tea featuring Barbara Davis Enjoy a relaxing Sunday afternoon, January 13th from 2-4 pm featuring local artist Barbara Davis and classic tea-style refreshments from Epicurean Delights. All ages are invited to dress for the occasion and attend this unique event that takes place at the Pike Road Town Hall (9575 Vaughn Road, Pike Road, AL). Tickets are $20 per person and can be purchased online: https://pikeroadarts.ticketbud.com/ through January 9, while supplies last. For more info call 334.272.9883 or visit www.facebook.com/events/1936809053101578/
Nina Simone: Four Women @ ASF Nina Simone: Four Women by Christina Ham, directed by Lydia Fort. Performances January 30 – February 17 on the Octagon Stage, running 90 minutes, no intermission. Recommended ages 13+. Through storytelling and song, this production celebrates how Nina Simone helped define the sound of the Civil Rights Movement. Featuring powerful anthems such as “Mississippi Goddam,” “Old Jim Crow,” and “To Be Young, Gifted and Black,” Nina Simone: Four Women is a personal and provocative musical journey. “Music can’t just be about the art, but it has to be an expression of the good, bad, and ugly in life.” – Excerpt from Nina Simone: Four Women by Christina Ham. For more info visit www.asf.net.
Master Gardener Associations Presents Free Lunch & Learn Programs Capital City Master Gardener Association presents Lunch & Learn 2019 the 1st Wednesday of Every Month from 12-1 pm. They meet at the Armory Learning Arts Center, 1018 Madison Avenue, Downtown Montgomery. Mark your calendars, January 2, Sex in the Garden/Plant Propagation, Lt. Col. Don Armstrong, Master Gardener and February 6, Native Plants: Bring on the Pollinators, Claude L. Jenkins, AL Wildlife Federation. Autauga County Master Gardener Association presents Lunch & Learn 2019 the 1st Thursday of Every Month from 12-1 pm. They meet at the Trinity United Methodist Church, 610 Fairview Avenue, Prattville 36066. Mark your calendars, January 3, Alabama Butterflies, Paulette Ogard, Alabama Butterfly Author, February 7, 101 Questions, Don Armstrong, Master Gardener. Elmore County Master Gardener Association presents Lunch & Learn 2019 the 2nd Tuesday of Every Month from 12-1 pm. They meet at the First Presbyterian Church, 100 West Bridge Street, Wetumpka 36092. Mark your calendars, January 8, Seed Starting, Mallory Kelley, Horticulturist, ACES, February 12, Growing Camellias, Dr. Charles Mitchell, Retired Professor, AU. For information, please contact the Montgomery County Extension Office 334.270.4133. Also visit www.capcitymga.org.
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BTW Magnet High School’s SHOWCASE 2019: Rise Up! Please join us for the annual BTW “Showcase of Talent” featuring the creative, artistic and talented students of Montgomery’s premier Arts Magnet High School. The theme for the 2019 production is “Rise Up” reflecting the tenacity and spirit of the students, faculty, and community to overcome the challenges of the recent year. Performances will be Friday, January 11 and Saturday, January 12 at the MPAC in Downtown Montgomery. Fully choreographed, designed and executed, this is a Broadway-style production featuring the extraordinary imagination and hard work of the dancers, musicians, writers, photographers and technical talent that comprise the student body at BTW. You will be amazed, impressed and inspired by the local talent and phenomenal show these students produce! Limited seats are available for online purchase. To acquire General Admission or VIP advance tickets, please visit www.btwfameboard.org.
Catalyst Speech and Debate Club in Montgomery Needs Judges The Catalyst Speech and Debate Club is hosting 200 high school students from across our region for a three-day tournament, and we need 400 community judges! You may judge one round on the day of your choice or several rounds over multiple days. A round takes about three hours and includes orientation, the round itself, and time to fill out a ballot. Light refreshments are provided. No experience in either speech or debate is necessary! Our tournament will take place at Taylor Road Baptist Church, 1685 Taylor Road, Montgomery, AL on January 1012. To register, please visit www.NCFCA.org/ National Christian Forensics and Montgomery-AL. Questions? Contact montgomeryjudges@gmail.com. Communications Association
January is National Blood Donor Month You don’t need a special reason to give blood. You just need your own reason. Some of us give blood because we were asked by a friend. Some know that a family member or a friend might need blood some day. Some believe it is the right thing to do. Whatever your reason, the need is constant and your donation is important for maintaining a healthy and reliable blood supply. You’ll feel good knowing you’ve helped change a life! To give blood visit these websites: www.lifesouth.org, www.redcrossblood.org, www.cslplasma.com
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The Long Road to Love @ The Crossroads Theater, Pike Road On Saturday, February 9, join the Pike Road Arts Council as they present the 2019 Crossroads Theater production: "The Long Road to Love...stories of the human heart," presented by storyteller Elizabeth Vander Kamp. Renowned storyteller Elizabeth Vander Kamp exquisitely captures the complexities of love in this story of drama and discovery. In the setting of a theatre company, two people meet, and it is love at first sight. A prior engagement and an on-stage love story create suspense that carries you through the years of their entangled lives…How will this story end? Join us to find out! Showtime is 7:30 pm Saturday, Feb. 9, at Pike Road Town Hall (9575 Vaughn Rd) Tickets - $20, available now: http:// bit.ly/PikeRoadArtsTix. For more info call 334.272.9883 or visit the website: www.facebook.com/events/339678270097589/
Get Your Affairs in Order, FREE Estate Planning and Asset Protection Workshop Wednesday, February 20: Hosted by Red Oak Legal, PC: 1:30-3:30 pm at 322 Catoma Street downtown Montgomery. This educational workshop presented by local attorney Raley L. Wiggins covers wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance directives, living wills, probate administration, protecting assets from creditors, bankruptcy, divorce and remarriage, nursing homes, long-term care and Medicaid qualification. Registration is required. Call 334.625.6774 today to reserve your seat or register online at www.redoaklegalpc.com.
Caring for the Caregiver, Alzheimer/Dementia Support Group Meeting the 2nd Wednesday of each month, 1-3 pm at ChristChurch, 8800 Vaughn Rd. Montgomery, AL. A place for RESPITE: a pause or rest, EXCHANGING: practical information on caregiving problems, possible solutions, and resources in our community, SHARING: needs and concerns, TALKING: through challenges and discovering new ways to cope. Often, we hear caregivers say they are looking for support from people who “really understand because we have been there too.” This group offers just that-a safe place for caregivers, family and friends of persons with dementia to meet and develop a mutual support system. We welcome caregivers. For more info call 334.462.2613.
5th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Citywide Celebration The 5th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Citywide Celebration will be held at the Davis Theatre for the Performing Arts on January 18. There is a 10 am matinee and a 6 pm evening performance featuring the Montgomery Interfaith Choir. Presentation of the Beloved Community Awards will also be done. This is a collaboration between Friends of the Theatre, Troy University and Alabama State University. Tickets: 10am matinee $5, 6pm Evening Show, adults $10. For more information, call 334.229.6755 or visit website: www.keepersofthedream.org/News-or-Reviews.html
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Thank You Volunteers! Thanks to each of you for rising to the call to serve others! Over the last year, HandsOn River Region coordinated nearly 10,000 volunteers who logged close to 40,000 hours of service which equates to an economic benefit to our community of one million dollars! You have housed the homeless, fed the hungry and so much more. And to start the New Year off...
A Day On, Not a Day Off: Celebrating MLK Day Through Service Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is what are you doing for others?" Each year, Americans across the country answer that question by coming together on the King holiday to serve their neighbors and communities. In honor of Dr. King's birthday, HandsOn River Region has planned a morning of service on Monday, January 21 to benefit That's My Child. Founded in 2012 by Montgomery resident Charles Lee, That's My Child provides teens with a safe place where they can learn skills, escape from rough neighborhoods and build a better future. "This morning of service provides us with the perfect opportunity to pay tribute to both the man and the ideals he embodied," said HandsOn Executive Director Tasha Cooper. "Through civic engagement and volunteerism, we embody the spirit of Dr. King and further our agency's mission to build a strong, caring community." Projects will include: • Grounds Maintenance - Volunteers 18 and older will operate riding lawn mowers and weed eaters to beautify agency grounds. • Path Stenciling - Volunteers will stencil directional paths leading to the different program areas. • Painting - Volunteers will add a second coat of paint to the exterior of That's My Child buildings. • Detail Painting - Volunteers will create a checkerboard pattern on the exterior of one building by painting bricks different shades of primary colors. • Hygiene Kits - Volunteers will pack hygiene kits to distribute to the area homeless. • Hospitality - Volunteers will help prepare and serve lunch and distribute water bottles to MLK Day participants. • Cleanup Crew - Volunteers will pick up leaves, remove debris and tidy up after the morning of service is complete. Grab a neighbor, friend or co-worker and join HandsOn to work from 9:00 am until 12:00 noon and afterwards for a hot dog lunch provided by Mr. Lee's famous That's My Dog restaurant! For further information or to register, visit www.handsonriverregion.org or contact Leslie Martorana, 334.264.3335, leslie@handsonriverregion.org
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By Tami Kamin Meyer
Why People in Their 50s and 60s Are Having Cataract Surgery If you think cataracts are an eye ailment only afflicting people 70 or older, think again. More younger patients are getting cataracts and having cataract surgery than ever, according to Dr. Ming Wang, an ophthalmologist in Nashville. Linda Bowman, 54, is a good example. Bowman, who lives in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and works for a senior living community, says she was shocked when diagnosed with cataracts in both of her eyes at 51. “I was in disbelief, and I suddenly felt 20 years older because I had never heard of someone younger having cataract surgery. I always envisioned people in their 70s or 80s,” she says. Another reality added to Bowman’s shock about her diagnosis: Her 80-year-old father had just undergone cataract surgery, while her mother underwent a cataract operation in her early 70s. “My doctor kept telling me it’s not a sign of age. It’s just something you need done in your eyes,” she recalls. Wang says he’s noticed a dramatic uptick of younger cataract surgery patients: “It’s a national trend that’s been happening in the last 20 years.” Cataracts, a clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye, can start in people in their 40s, although they won’t likely be noticeable. As a person ages, a cataract can grow to the point where it impairs vision in the eye. For example, night driving might become more difficult, halos of glare may be reflected in headlights and vision may be cloudy. So, if cataracts don’t usually become problematic until a patient is in his or her later years, why are people in their 50s and 60s undergoing cataract surgery with more frequency today? Cataract Surgery: Changing Expectations and Technology According to Wang, who has performed more than 20,000 cataract surgeries since 1993, there are several reasons. For one,
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the National Eye Institute. The National Eye Institute also recommends that people 60 and older have a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once every two years.
patient expectation has changed over the past 30 years. It used to be that “patients only had cataract surgery if they couldn’t see even with glasses, which significantly debilitated their daily function. But today, patients undergo cataract surgery when their vision, even with glasses, imposes only a moderate impact on their daily lives. They want to see better with less dependence on glasses,” Wang says. Numerous advancements in technology during the last 30 years also have made cataract surgery less daunting, he says. There used to be more risk associated with the surgery and outcomes were not as good as they are today. Another potential reason for the uptick in cataract surgeries among people in their 50s and 60s could be a more active lifestyle with more time spent outdoors, says Dr. David Aizuss, an ophthalmologist in Encino, Calif. Aizuss, the newly elected president of the California Medical Association, says increased exposure to the sun can lead to cataracts. Wearing sunglasses or other protective gear to block the sun’s harmful rays from the eyes can help to prevent early onset of cataracts. Some other ways to help prevent cataracts include not smoking; controlling other diseases, such as diabetes and eating a healthy diet that includes leafy green vegetables, fruits and foods high antioxidants, according to the American Optometric Association and
Benefits of Cataract Surgery in Your 50s or 60s If you’re in your 50s or 60s, you’re no doubt unhappy to hear about the trend toward more cataracts in your age group. But you can at least take heart knowing there are some benefits to having the surgery at a younger age. For example, younger cataract surgery patients enjoy improved vision for more years than older patients. If you have cataracts, “What’s the point of waiting until 84, 94, to have the surgery?” Wang says. “You want to be able to enjoy better vision for a longer period of time.” Younger patients also tend to heal more quickly than older ones, he says. They generally resume their normal level of activity more rapidly than older patients, too, which helps develop a positive attitude imperative for a speedy recovery. Although Bowman was anticipating improved vision following her cataract operations, she was conflicted about having them. Calling the emotional strife, she suffered following her diagnosis of cataracts at 51 as the “most challenging” aspect of her entire experience, she says, in hindsight, the best response is to laugh about it. Bowman says she loves that she can see much better since her cataract surgery. She has also gained another, and unexpected, type of perspective from her operation: “It made me more empathic because I work with older people.” Source: www.nextavenue.org Tami Kamin Meyer is an attorney and freelance writer in Ohio. She is the chair of the marketing committee of the American Society of Journalists and Authors.@girlwithapen
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BOOM! COVER PROFILE
Brandt McDonald, a Man of Renewal
This month’s BOOM! Cover Profile is Brandt McDonald. Brandt's hometown is Montgomery, Alabama and for a man who travels extensively, he enjoys returning to Montgomery for the slower pace, the culture and the predominantly conservative value system that most of us appreciate. Brandt owns and operates McDonald Hagen Wealth Management where he and his team provide financial services to his clients. In fact, Brandt appears on Greg Budell's Happy Hour radio show weekdays, where he provides commentary on the financial activities taking place all over the world. As a newcomer to the 50+ community, Brandt, along with his wife Hayden have six children and, in many respects, it helps Brandt maintain an attitude of renewal, especially his three-year-old son, Miller (The Caboose)! For many of us, aging well requires a good attitude, and as Brandt begins his 51st year, all indications are he'll be a good model for the rest of us! We recently shared some time with Brandt and hope you enjoy getting to know him as much as we have.
BOOM!: Please give us a brief biography, i.e. where were you born, education, family, what brought you to the Montgomery area, etc.? Brandt: I was born in Montgomery, Alabama in 1967 to Carl B. McDonald, Sr. and Vivian Ashurst Mason. I attended Vaughn Road Elementary school, Seth Johnson Elementary school, Georgia Washington Junior High School, and Jefferson Davis High School, class of ’85. I went on to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Auburn University and graduated in 1989. I am married to Hayden Brandt and Hayden with their youngest child, Miller. Johnson McDonald. in saving and I have four children, investing for the Brandtley, Mason, Melison, Miller and future. I always two step children, Chase and Caden Parker. BOOM!: You have been working in the financial services industry for nearly 30 years and have been operating your own firm since 1998, called McDonald Hagen Wealth Management. Would you tell us why you chose this field to work in? Brandt: Around the age of 13, I became fascinated with financial markets. My grandfather owned a small pharmacy, Ashurst Drug Company here in Montgomery and he was a huge believer
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Brandt with his daughter, Melison.
politics, and the economy. He had a traditional, no nonsense approach to business and life. I was fortunate because by the time I enrolled in Auburn University I knew that I wanted to learn more about financial markets, global economics, and geo-politics. My dream was that someday I could use that knowledge to own a small business, whose purpose would be to help people achieve their financial goals.
In managing other people’s money and expectations, how do you manage the stress that naturally occurs in the investment world? Stress is a relative term for all of us. But, there’s no question that managing money for other people can be quite challenging. I manage the stress in a variety of ways. The most important thing is to remember that it’s not about me. It’s about our clients, their families, their children, grandchildren and their hopes, dreams, and legacy. I just want to bring my best for them every day. Regardless, of short term market fluctuations, I try and stay focused on a long-term thesis. Markets go up and down daily. So, it’s important to keep things in perspective. Nothing is Christmas Brunch with family. ever as bad or as good as it seems. Usually, it falls looked forward somewhere in between. To be sure, to those times there are moments in the middle of the when we work day where I start to feel a sense of would sit and overwhelming stress for one reason or talk about his another. When that happens, I’ll often stock portfolio, get up and leave the office to find a way The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
to “reset”. Mostly, I go to Metro Fitness and have an intense workout while I solve problems in my head. That usually does the trick. By the time I’m back at the office I’m ready to re-engage.
sequential growth in almost every year. And all indications are that it will continue. We continue to invest in new technologies, people, platforms and processes designed to make our client experience enjoyable and effective. Our firm will continue to embrace a team approach within an advisory fee model. Every year we continue to add new value added services as part of our service offering and we believe that will continue Brandt is a huge supporter of the Footprints Ministry to resonate with clients. Our goal is to Brandt: We which provides care to families with infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Brandt pictured recruit and hire How would you be thoughtful about our growth plans so with his wife and his two step sons which were both describe your that we can deliver born premature and spent weeks in the NICU. investment on our promises philosophy? I have always believed to clients. It’s new members to our in a long-term, disciplined approach important to team based upon need. to investing. I believe in having a clearly understand Typically, we will look well-thought out plan that acts as a your target market for someone who has foundational road map to long-term and not deviate a unique talent set to investing. I don’t believe in short-term from that. For me, fill a gap when and if trading or gimmicks. In our firm, we have this means to start necessary. By and large, a strict process for client engagement. right where you’re I put more credence We begin with gathering facts so that planted and grow in education and work we can intimately know our clients and out from there. ethic. It’s important that their families, identify their risk profile, The bottom line when we hire someone Brandt with his client, Coach Bruce Pearl, at the annual Blue Jean Ball Fundraiser which and long-term goals and objectives. It’s though is that they understand the raises money for Auburn University and Auburn without the trust only then that concept Montgomery School of Nursing Program. we begin a and confidence of of being discussion of our clients we wouldn’t have a firm. If we on a team that serves our an appropriate take care of them, the rest will take care clients. investment of itself. portfolio How would you describe designed to BOOM!: Many people over 50 your leadership style? I’ve meet the experience a renewed sense of purpose, always been an energetic client’s needs. new goals, or maybe new careers, leader. I believe in laying Our firm uses especially if they’ve experienced the out a clear vision for our fundamental empty nest syndrome of their kids entire organization so research, moving on. How that we can get various would you describe “buy in” from each approaches this sense of renewal team member. to valuation, in your life? The key is to make and technical sure that everyone Brandt and Tim Hudson at The Hudson Family clearly understands analysis that Brandt: Given the Foundation Legends Party. generates fact that I have six their role and viable investment portfolios within five children ranging responsibility. Once they do, different risk profiles. Ongoing portfolio from 28 years old they take ownership and can management is designed around a to 3, I feel like have pride in their work. That long-term view of global markets that I’m in a constant breeds confidence and becomes incorporates a wide range of economic state of renewal!! contagious for the entire forecasts and data, derived from thirdInterestingly though, organization. party research and personal relationships as I’ve gotten with others in our business on a national older, I’ve learned What’s the future look like for scale. to appreciate the McDonald Hagen? Over the Brandt calling from New York good times and last twenty years, we have City into the “Happy Hour with BOOM!: At your firm, McDonald brush off the bad experienced year over year Greg Budell Radio Show”. The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
Hagen Wealth Management, you have a team of financial advisors, what are some of the qualifications you look for when recruiting new members of your team?
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times. Learning from I like to think the my little 3 year old “caboose.” my mistakes is the food’s not too bad antidote to failure either. Equally fun BOOM!: You are involved with the Bruce and frustration. As and relaxing are the Pearl Family Foundation and the Hudson I get older, I often times I get to travel Family Foundation; can you share what hear about friends with my wife and these foundations do and your role in or colleagues who children. Whether each of them? suffer from health its business related conditions or who have or personal, Brandt: I am an active supporter of both tragically left us too Hayden and I have organizations and serve on the board of soon. Life is too short a wonderful time The Bruce Pearl Family Foundation. Both to be unfulfilled. It’s seeing the country of these foundations are committed to why I am constantly together. We both helping children and families in need. examining my life to prefer investing in The Hudson Family Foundation identifies make sure I’m giving experiences over areas of need in its communities, and living. I’ve learned “things.” I’m also an including children and families in need Brandt with his business partner, to let go of the things avid outdoorsman. I of physical, emotional, and/or financial Mike Barranco, in Williamsburg, VA. that exhaust me and enjoy being able to assistance. Tim and Kim Hudson have a focus on putting my energy into people spend time with my sons in the woods. tremendous heart for helping people. and experiences that bring happiness Having known them for some time, I can and bear fruit. Describe your experience as a father, honestly say that their passion for this can you share any fatherly advice? Like organization is unwavering. Hundreds of Any advice for the rest of us seeking most fathers, I consider myself extremely businesses and individuals, including my renewal? Yes, start living a purpose blessed to have as many children as I company support the Hudson’s annually driven life. The majority of our clients are do. The number one piece of advice I in their charitable efforts. Upon arrival between the ages of 50-85 and one of would give would be to spend time with in Auburn, one of the first things Coach the things I enjoy the most is talking with your children as a “participatory” Dad. Pearl and his wife Brandy wanted to do them about their hopes and dreams. It’s My belief is that a child comes from God was to find a way to help children in really interesting to me to hear the wide and he entrusts us as a parent to raise need. Based on their vision we worked ranging goals each of them have, but that child according to his will and his together to form the foundation and the common thread among all of them purpose. It’s so important in just a few short is that they have chosen to make time to to recognize that purpose years, the Pearl live a life that is fulfilling. As crazy as that and encourage them family has managed sounds, it’s really true in the simplest down the path for which to raise hundreds of terms. Whether someone is about to they were created. From of thousands of retire or is already retired, the challenge the time a child is born, dollars in support is to take control of your time, do the it’s the first and only of Children’s Harbor things that bring the most fulfilment, opportunity any father and other charities and prioritize the activities that bring will ever have to raise that support children, you joy and happiness. Equally important him or her. Inherent in cancer research and is to avoid those things that you know that, it’s a given that awareness. Both the will bring chaos in your life. Whatever there will be mistakes. I Pearl and Hudson that thing is that you can be passionate often remind my children families have been about, take control and create the of that fact. But, I’m incredibly blessed conditions that will lead to a successful also quick to point out in their lives and renewal in life. that every decision I’ve careers and they use ever made or will make a unique platform to BOOM!: What are you most passionate for them is done with draw others together Brandt was selected to attend the Barabout…besides wealth management? love in my heart so ron’s Top Independent Advisors Summit in around their vision. Orlando, Florida two years in a row. that they have the best It’s truly a humbling Brandt: As an avid reader, I particularly opportunity to succeed in life and care experience to support both foundations enjoy reading about military history, for others. At the age of 51, it’s easy to in any way I can. economics, and apologetics. When I’m look back now and see the things that not reading, I absolutely love to grill weren’t really all that important. Like BOOM!: What are some of your favorite with my family while listening to great most things, experience and “on the job travel experiences? music. Those are some of the most training” makes us better at decision stress relieving and memorable times. making. I’m hoping that will pay off for Brandt: I’ve been blessed to have visited
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many of absolutely. My wife because, while it’s true that our firm America’s and I would like to has benefitted greatly from my media iconic cities. be able to visit every work, I recognize that it’s also a lot about Of those, I continent. And once community service. Not all listeners are have great that’s complete, start clients or will call our firm for advice. But, memories over!! I know that they rely on my commentary in New and thoughts. I’m convinced that this York City, BOOM!: How do you approach rings through to my audience, San Diego, like to relax and wind regardless of the delivery mechanism Boston, down from a full used. As such, I think there’s more longChicago and day’s activities? term value in that approach. I run into many others. people all the time who are fans of my But there Brandt: Once my day work. Some are clients some are not. It’s are two trips at the office ends, a great feeling knowing that I’m helping Brandt, Hayden, and Miller at that rank at usually around 6:30, people whether I’m compensated or not. Trump Turnberry in Scotland. the top for I go home and play In many ways, that’s a reward in itself. me. Several years back, I went with my with my little caboose! Typically, my wife father to Oxford, England to visit my will have a great supper ready by 7:30. What’s it like working with Greg Budell? brother. We were there for ten days and We sit at the dining room table and catch People ask me this all the time and the it was so unique because for the most up on each other’s day. With our phones first thing I tell them is that Greg is a very part we lived like locals. And, then this on silent and no TV’s on, we are able to smart man. He’s well-read and stays on year, I was able to return with my wife communicate in a meaningful way and top of the political scene. And, when and her parents. We were able to visit catch up on the events of our day. he goes into full melt-down mode it’s London and do the normal things there. absolutely real and in no But, it was the trip to Scotland that was BOOM!: way is it contrived. When so interesting. My father-in-law was able Brandt, you I’m in-studio with Greg and to trace his heritage in the remote village have become Joey, I can sometimes see of Ballantrae and the Isle of Arran. What the go to him melting down over a a very special and emotional moment financial particular issue and I look that was for all of us. Experiencing expert through over at Joey and quickly another part of the world in the manner your media realize that he sees it too. I did really helped me understand the relationships, You can tell by Greg’s body rich heritage and culture of the United such as Greg language and the bulging Kingdom. Budell’s Happy veins in his neck. It’s like Hour Radio preparing for an incoming Favorite vacation spot? There’s no Show, writing missile. That’s when Joey question it would be Orange Beach, AL. a monthly and I slowly start to push My grandfather owned a condominium column for away from the table. But, right near Perdido Pass and for the past BOOM! and seriously Greg has a deep 34 years I’ve been going to the same appearing passion for his job and the beach. I’ve built some of the greatest on television way he sees the world. His memories I’ll ever have there. It was shows. How passion, transparency, and on my grandfather’s balcony that we has your media honesty with his audience Brandt with his oldest son, Brandtley, and would sit and he would tell me stories presence been is the main reason for his youngest son, Miller. about the good old days. I gained a lot beneficial to show’s success. There’s of wisdom from him. Today, my wife and you and your firm? another side to Greg though. He’s a I love to go down there and walk along very caring person and spends a ton of the beach. When I’m down there I feel Brandt: Whether its television, radio or his time thinking about other people. like I can think the best and reset my speeches, I always try and consider the Whenever there’s a problem, he’s the mind. A close second favorite spot would listening audience. My goal for better first one to stand up and volunteer to be St. Simons Island. It was there that or worse is to be honest and share my be a part of the solution. I respect him my wife and I were married by my father, true thoughts about financial markets, immensely for that alone. Over the who is an ordained Methodist minister. the economy and politics. Of course, I years, Greg and I have learned that we We often make it back to rekindle those have my own ideological philosophies, have a great symbiotic relationship on memories of that very special day. but it’s more important to me that I the air together. My segment easily flows maintain an independent view on what’s with Greg. But, of course, he’s such a Any travel dreams planned? Yes really happening in the world. I say this professional that it’s easy. The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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BOOM!: How would you describe the quality of life in the Montgomery/River Region area?
ways I’ve lost track. As a young person, I faced many challenges growing up and was determined to overcome those and be Brandt: Montgomery is my home successful in life. Over the years, town and I will always be fond of the my definition of success has wonderful memories I have made changed. I want to be a great here. In some ways the quality of life father and hopefully one day be has gone down and in other ways blessed to have grandchildren. it hasn’t. Every time I travel, I enjoy I want my clients, employees, seeing the big cities and all they have friends and family to know that to offer. But, I have to say that it’s I’ve done all I can to be there nice to come home to Montgomery. for them when they needed me. I enjoy the slower pace, the culture And, I want to experience life in a and the predominantly conservative meaningful way with those I care value system that most citizens share about most. That means making Brandt and Hayden attended a marriage conference in Kauai, Hawaii. time for them. Along those lines here. I’m encouraged to see the Pictured with Mercy Me and Tim Timmons. exciting downtown redevelopment. I’ve learned that my greatest And, I’m also encouraged by the asset is time. I have learned how companies in this country to locate number of corporations who choose to to spend it more wisely and judiciously. divisional operations in our region where locate in our region. they would have a “ready and waiting” What do we need more of? I have long BOOM!: Give us three words that workforce already trained to go to work been an advocate of a public/private describe you? for them. Our local education should be agreement to improve our local school at the beginning of any discussions about system. Times have changed and I would Brandt: Happy, Blessed, Forgiven forming long-term economic growth like to see a more realistic approach to models in our region. As such, it requires public schools. Decades ago, the overall BOOM!: Do you have any hobbies or a first priority so that Montgomery and model and process of education worked other activities that grab your attention? its surrounding communities can thrive fine. But, in the new modern era, the in the 21st century. digital age and all that it’s doing to Brandt: College Sports, cooking, travel, reshape entire industries, I would like and books BOOM!: As you’ve aged, how have your to see the entire school system move to priorities changed? a more proactive approach in training BOOM!: What is your relationship with students for a particular field or craft. technology? Brandt: I find myself focusing more on With the right leadership, I’m convinced how much I’m giving back. I’ve been Brandt: The financial services industry we could attract the innovative extremely blessed in my life in so many continues to change rapidly. Like any
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organization, we embrace the changing reviews, client notes, and meetings is landscape but we will never waiver invaluable. It allows every member of from our core competency. We have our team to stay on top of everything always been relationally driven and that is happening with our clients, so every year we identify new ways to regardless of who is helping them. use technology as a part of our client Utilizing cloud based technology has also experience. But, created enormous efficiencies nothing will replace for team members on the move. one on one facetime with clients. The BOOM!: What’s your view of pace of innovation the idea of retirement? has gone almost parabolic so it’s Brandt: First of all, it should hard for me to keep be the answer to the question up with it all. But, as to why? Why save? Why there’s no doubt work? All of us, from the time that when used we were young have made correctly, technology decisions that collectively can make business will be the sum total of our more streamlined retirement. It means achieving and efficient. To that financial independence or extent, I’m all for financial freedom. The freedom it. The key for me to decide what you want to though is to never do and when. I don’t believe Brandt and Hayden attending the get to a place that that it means to stop working. International Quality of Life too much technology Rather, it’s an opportunity to Awards (IQLA) at the United takes over my life to decide what type of work we Nations in New York City. the point that I’ve want to do with a new found lost control. More importantly, I only freedom. Whether it’s serving others, want to embrace technology that our time with family, hobbies, or a “Bucket clients appreciate, enjoy and understand. List, retirement is an opportunity to have lived life well, truly fulfilled, and to put How does technology help you manage the finishing touches on your legacy. McDonald Hagen more efficiently? The use of sophisticated tools for BOOM!: One of your favorite quotes determining client risk profiles, creating is in the poem, O Me! O Life! by Walt financial plans, and tracking account Whitman, “That you are here—that life
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exists and identity. That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.” Could you share more on why it’s a favorite? Brandt: Yes, it’s a definite favorite. So is Socrates’ quote, “The unexamined life is a life not worth living.” So, it goes a long way toward answering the question of how we should live. It starts by recognizing the value in life, in our own life and that we are here for a reason, for a specifically defined purpose and that we need to understand who we are individually and what makes us special. Everyone involved in a play has a role. Life is a powerful play indeed. It’s up to us to be engaged and use our gifts, our talents, and our purpose, to contribute something to society that’s bigger than us individually. Lastly, it reminds me that I don’t have to do everything. God is the one in control of the universe and everything in it. I am only a small part of it. So, my verse, my contribution is simply enough. I just don’t want to miss it. We want to thank Brandt for sharing some of his story for this month’s BOOM! Cover Profile. If you would like to reach out to Brandt please email him at brandt.mcdonald@lpl.com or visit his website at www.mcdonaldhagen.com. Securities offered through LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC. We also want to thank Judy Barranco at Judy Barranco Photography, www. judybarrancophotography.com for her cover photos for this month's cover. If you have questions, comments or suggestions about our cover profiles, including nominating someone, please send them to Jim Watson at jim@riverregionboom.com Read all of the BOOM! Cover Profiles at www.riverregionboom.com/archive/
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The ABCs of CBDs:
Marijuana Products for Your Health
Cannabidiol, or CBD (an oil from cannabis; marijuana is a species of cannabis), is increasingly being marketed to aging Americans as a wonder-drug for everything from cancer care to joint pain, and research shows those marketing campaigns are working.
By Jess Stonefield
Buyer beware: CBD products vary widely in quality and safety
Older Americans are now the fastest growing population of new cannabis users. But not all CBD products are created equal, and not all will be effective for those seeking therapeutic relief. As the commercial market continues to expand, it’s important to understand what you’d be getting if you buy a product labeled CBD. “There’s been a lot of excitement, but not much education regarding CBD,” says Martin Lee, director of Project CBD, a California-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting and publicizing research into the medical uses of cannabidiol and other components of the cannabis plant. CBD is now legal, in some variation, in 47 states, as well as Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. Other types of CBD are available in 30 states as well, and CBD products do not require a medical prescription. But some cannabis professionals, such as Lonnie Painter, head of the Laguna Woods Medical Cannabis Collective in Laguna Woods, Calif., are concerned about the potentially negative health and financial impacts that access to cannabis could have on Americans looking for a quick fix to their aging ailments. I recently spoke with Painter and Lee to get their recommendations for ensuring smart, safe and cost-effective experimentation with CBD and other marijuana products for health purposes.
What Is CBD? CBD, one of the many cannabinoid
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chemical compounds in the cannabis plant, has become popular in recent years both for what it does, and what it doesn’t. On one hand, it’s generally accepted that CBD can provide therapeutic healing for physical and mental ailments (although many of the details still need to be sorted out). On the other hand, unlike its more recreational brother tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, it has no psychoactive effects. Because of its popularity, CBD is now available in a variety of forms, from tinctures and rubs to capsules and lotions — and it’s popping up everywhere, from local dispensaries to gas stations. Here are some important points that could save you money, time and potential health complications if you decide to try CBD: I CBD seems to work better with THC. While many know that non-psychoactive CBD holds medical potential, many don’t realize that experts say CBD tends to
work better when combined with THC. This is one reason checking labels — and knowing your own body — is so important when experimenting with CBD. If you’ve used cannabis in the past, you may already feel comfortable taking products that include the psychoactive elements in THC, if it is legal where you live. If not, you may want to start slowly to ensure your body has a positive reaction. (I’ve personally felt a positive impact with dose ratios of CBD:THC as low as 30:1.) I There could be drug interactions. CBD can cause pharmaceuticals to metabolize slowly, meaning they’ll stay in your system for longer periods of time. In the case of some drugs, that could be positive. For instance, it means you’ll need a smaller dose of opiates to experience the same effect. The same is true for chemotherapy drugs; CBD could allow the patient to take use a lower amount of toxic chemicals for treatment. Talk to your doctor about your cannabis usage before putting any products in your body to avoid an adverse effect. I Read the label. “As with anything,
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you need to be a conscious consumer,” Lee says. Cannabis is highly absorbent and will hold on to any toxins it has been exposed to during growing and extraction. That’s why it’s essential that you check the labels of commercial products to ensure your product has been lab-tested and proven free of mold, bacteria, pesticides, solvents and other contaminating chemicals that could make your medical condition worse. As noted by Lee, buying CBD from licensed dispensaries is generally safest because they must adhere to certain quality standards to stay in business. I CBD cannot be extracted from hemp seed or stalk. It’s not possible to extract CBD from hemp stalk because it does not exist in that part of the plant. Other companies are claiming to extract CBD from the hemp seed, which also contains no CBD at all. Be wary of all CBD products entering the market, and do not buy products that claim to be made with stalk or seed. I Understand your “bud tender” is not a doctor. While medicinal marijuana has been legalized in 30 states, that doesn’t mean all dispensaries are staffed with medical personnel — far from it. As such, always do your own research to back up their guidance. If you can consult a
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professional cannabis clinician in your state for dosing, do it. If not, visit Project CBD or the Society of Cannabis Clinicians, both of which offer research-based information on CBD, including CBD’s impact on different ailments — mental and physical. I CBD is not the only option. CBD is the most talked about type of marijuana for health purposes right now, but it isn’t right for everyone. The cannabis plant has a full spectrum of other active compounds, including CBC, CBN, THCa and CBDa. Understand that CBD is not your only medical option. Some cannabis compounds, including THC, may be even more effective for you, depending on your body chemistry. I Be patient. CBD may not improve your health the first time you try it — or ever. Says Painter: “I’ve worked with my clients to research which product, taken what way, for how long, will be most effective for them. It can take months to find what works for your body.”
Trying CBD Is a Journey CBD can be a powerful healing option for many but staying informed is an important part of the CBD journey. Products available within your state
may vary widely from those in states like California and Colorado, where marijuana is legal in all forms. And as with any drug, it will impact different people in different ways. “People are complex,” Lee says. “You need to understand CBD is not a miracle cure for everyone. It may do the trick, or it may not be worth buying. The good news is that it’s safe to experiment and find out.” Bottom line: There is a lot of hype surrounding CBD right now. As with any product, it’s important to do your research. Ask the right questions. CBD is generally safe and can be powerful. But in this “Wild West” of marijuana legalization, it’s important for all users to be safe and knowledgeable about their CBD purchases. Source: www.nextavenue.org Jess Stonefield is a contributing writer on aging, technology, mental health and the greater longevity economy for publications such as Changing Aging, The Mighty and Next Avenue. She is passionate about impact investing and the greater concept of "equitable equity" — spreading wealth to all levels of our society. She is a communications expert for Senior Living Fund.
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What it will take By Caitlin Kelly
to live at home for the rest of your life The word is so taboo many interior designers avoid even using it when working with clients.
current home to accommodate changing needs, whether those are temporary or permanent, says Minieff.
“I don’t ever use the word ‘aging’,” says Cleveland, Ohiobased designer Laura Minieff. “I don’t have it in my vocabulary.”
Typically, it’s spurred by what she calls “a catalytic event,” perhaps a stroke or a car accident with its accompanying rehabilitation, or the sudden departure of a spouse or children leaving the nest. Even retirement, as residents spend a lot more time in their homes, can bring fresh eyes and insights to a familiar space, she says.
Yet, as baby boomers’ edge into older age, and many are already helping their parents stay in their homes as long as possible, the popularity of this phrase is growing: “aging in place.’’ A design solution formerly more focused on in-home design changes—like adding grab bars in the bathroom or lowering kitchen counters—is now expanding. These days, “aging in place” also incorporates new technology, rebooted urban design and a strong focus on staying connected to family, friends and caregivers. According to a 2018 survey by AARP, three-quarters of Americans over 50 want to remain in their homes rather than move into an institutional setting like a nursing home or other facility. That “aha” moment when we realize we need help can hit much sooner than expected.
Realizing it’s time
“I get calls every day” from potential clients who need to reconfigure their
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Once clients realize changes are needed, “it is a very, very honest conversation,” she adds. “You do have to do it with compassion.”
Grandchildren? Pets? A work area? For Katrina VanHuss, a fundraising consultant in Mechanicsville, Va., the conversation about making her home as safe and comfortable for aging in place was already familiar—thanks to caring for her 27-year-old daughter who has Down Syndrome and who lives at home. “I knew what I wanted because my daughter has low tone [diminished physical strength] and difficulties with vision and hearing,’’ she says. “You need grab bars everywhere. Living with her has taught me a lot.” Her mother, now 77, is also likely to move into their house, so VanHuss and her husband have invested significantly to be ready for her as well as housing a caregiver when she and her husband need one. To improve their vision, they added lots of light: can lights in the ceilings in the
What changes
Some standard adaptive changes include entryways to the home with no stairs or steps, showers without a curb or no door, widened doorways to accommodate a wheelchair or walker and floors free of rugs that can invite a slip and dangerous fall. The conversation, like that with any designer or architect, begins with a frank discussion about daily life in the home—Does it include adult children, possibly with their own special needs?
kitchen and spotlights in the kitchen. They also use at least three lamps controlled by a smart speaker in every room.
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The decision to stay in their 2,200-square foot house, built in 1972, was easy, she says, thanks to its two-acre lot, a neighborhood they love and a lake. “We use Echo and Alexa everywhere and they’re really helpful to turn lights on before you enter a room,” she says “I can watch eagles hunting,” she says. “When we were deciding what do to, I asked ‘What’s going to make us happy?’” It has come, she admits, at a very high cost—almost the current value of their home—with a $270,000 addition.
sudden these suburbs are a tough place to retire in,” he says. “We’re just now the generation getting to the point where we don’t drive anymore and it will become more and more of a problem,” says Wetmore, now 61. “What happens if I’m frail with a walker or a cane or a wheelchair?’’ he asks. “You need to take a good look at these neighborhoods.”
The generational shift
More than a grab bar
Aging in place will soon mean much more than making architectural and urban design changes, predicts Drew Miller, executive director of design at frogHealth, a division of frog, a global design and strategy consultancy working in the U.S., Europe and Asia. “We’re seeing a massive generational shift,” he says. “Our generation has gone through a significant caregiving experience with their own parents.”
“It’s not just the building itself,” he says. “Is it accessible? Are there sidewalks?”
Previous generations didn’t live as long, with many now surviving into their mid to late 90s, spurring those now in their 50s and 60s to be “pro-active and planning.”
“I plan to die there,” she says.
Staying safely and comfortably in one’s home, whether an apartment or house, isn’t just a matter of adding new features or subtracting others, argues John Wetmore, an activist for pedestrian safety.
The streets we rely on daily can ease our odds of aging in place or present a dangerous, slippery set of obstacles. In his suburban county outside D.C., a nearby muddy path led to the nearest bus stop, imperiling anyone with mobility challenges. It took years of complaining to local authorities, but the path is now paved, Wetmore said. When many suburbs were built in the 1960s and 1970s, “sidewalks were considered old-fashioned, but all of a The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
“They want to get out ahead of these issues because when you’ve seen it happen to your parents you see your future and that’s an impetus to action,” Miller says. So, staffers in Miller’s Austin, TX office collaborated with their peers in San Francisco, New York and Shanghai, realizing that “aging in place” happens in three distinct stages as people move from being “independents” to
“transitioners” to “strugglers.” “There’s a progression,” says Miller. “Think of this as a journey you go through many times. You may notice something is physically different or an event triggers that recognition. That, in turn, produces negative feelings as you adjust to the ‘new normal.’” Those aging in place need additional levels of support: financially, cognitively, physically and emotionally, Miller adds. “We talked to seniors, adult caregivers, spouse caregivers and senior living specialists,” he says. “This allowed us to see the different approaches people took.”
Facing the future
Key to success will be new uses of current technology, he says. While Alexa and Echo and their cohort are familiar, there is also a need for tech that initiates contact, to help potentially isolated seniors stay safe and in touch with their families, friends and healthcare providers. LifePod, a virtual caregiver or companion, is completely voice-controlled and can ask a senior living alone if she’s taken her medication or spoken to a friend that day. The real challenge, experts agree, is facing the future and getting our homes, hearts and heads ready for it. “It’s huge!” says Miller. “This ability to engage directly and to send notifications and regular reports is probably the most exciting solution I’ve seen for home healthcare.” “These are the seasons of life,” says VanHuss. “Fighting them is counterproductive.” Source: www.considerable.com
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January 2019
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By Greg Budell
The Mayor of BOOMTOWN
MR. RIGHT ON THE MONEY reconfiguration no one saw coming and salaries dropped.
BOOM’s January cover is dedicated to financial planner Brandt McDonald. Brandt is a brilliant, nationally recognized financial planner. He joins me on my Newstalk 93.1FM “Happy Hour” show to discuss the day’s money news; explaining the ups and downs of the market in a manner that even an economic simpleton/failure like myself can comprehend!
I had signed an even bigger contract in 1990, a 5 year deal that lasted 10 months. Instead of suing that company for the balance (about 600K) because they breached the agreement 7 ways from Sunday- I drank.
He’s also a great friend. Brandt and I make for an odd couple media pairing. From time to time I jokingly ask him “where were you in the 80s and 90s when I had money to manage and needed someone who’d look out for my future?”. Brandt was just getting started back then, and was here, not in South Florida. Still, I can wistfully wonder what he’d have done for me in those days. I was my own money manager then and I couldn’t have made a worse choice!
In 1986 I signed a 3 year radio contract that paid me upwards of $180,000 per year. That’s still an exceptionally nice salary in 2019, but that salary in 1986 had the buying power of almost $400,000 in today’s money. I look these things up so I can torment myself with a lot of second guessing. My agent told me I should have no trouble saving 40,000 a year and he was right. I didn’t do that. You know how much of that money I have today? Zero! Not all of it was my fault. The radio industry went through a
Some specifics.
MUI- Managing Under the Influence is not a particularly bright financial strategy. I was reeling from the abrupt destruction of my dreams, true-by forces beyond my control. Instead of a better lawyer, I found a therapist to ask why I was having “feelings of impending doom”. “Because”, he was honest enough to say, “if you don’t stop drinking your impending doom is inevitable”. So, instead of standing up for myself, I took a 3 month severance on that 5 year catastrophe, figuring I’d get back on my feet quickly. My drinking was making that impossible.
Greg Budell's column is proudly sponsored by McDonald & Hagen Wealth Management
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It took me 5 years to go from having the world by the proverbial butt to just getting by.
I’d invested after paying back the leveraged money. I used it to invest in some booze, I’m sure.
A Brandt McDonald back then could have meant the difference between falling on my arse or falling into a pile of cash that would have gotten me through the crisis. I just didn’t think it could happen to me. Anticipating what CAN happen is one reason why people turn to Brandt.
When I finally met Brandt 7 years ago, I was back on my feet, and had come all the way back from bankruptcy to owning a nice little house here in town. So, I asked Brandt about starting over.
Oh, I did make some investments. A telemarketer talked me (really) into buying $5K in gold futures. What could go wrong? It’s GOLD for cryin’ out loud! When circumstances forced me to cash that “asset” in, its value had soared all the way down to $2154. I felt like a complete asset hole. But wait! There’s more! When I stopped drinking, I’d chosen a stockbroker as my sobriety mentor, and he gave me a “tip”. “Continental Airlines is poised for a big surge in stock value”, he said. “Give me $1200 and I’ll leverage another $2000 and you’ll clean up!”. So I bought $3200 worth of Continental Stock. He was right! Soon, my stock value had grown to $5700! I asked him to sell while I was ahead. “No, leave it in and make even more!”. About 6 weeks later, I got a check in the mail for $54. I lost everything
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At the time I had about $1200 in credit card debt. “Pay that off, because there are few stocks that grow at the interest rates those cards charge”, he said. I did. I haven’t paid a dime of interest on a card since. Yes, Brandt and I make an odd pairing in that he’s right on the money, and I’ve made every mistake there is. I think that’s why it works. I broadcast my Error$ to let listeners know why a conversation with Brandt could change the course of their entire life. I never thought ahead. I lived for today. I thought I was beyond the reach of fate when it came to my very successful career. I wasn’t. Brandt is great on the air. When he is crunching the day’s money news he knows most listeners need a primer on understanding why what happened that day, happened. He never speaks down to anyone.
Brandt’s been a great friend. I know he loves and treasures his family above all else. What blows me away is how he handles the responsibility of doing what he does. Think about it. People bring their financial futures to Brandt. He and his great team at McDonald Hagen look out for them literally on a 24/7/365 basis. Brandt reminds me of the pilot who calmly/gently lands 47 tons of aircraft with 300 souls on board and brings them to their destination safely. That takes confidence. Confidence is experience multiplied by the relentless search for new wisdom. People trust their lives to those pilots, and people entrust their financial futures to Brandt McDonald. They see that confidence built on experience. It’s a good decision. Take it from one who was a lousy pilot.
Greg Budell lives in Montgomery with his wife, Roz, and dogs Hershey and Briscoe. He’s been in radio since 1970, and is marking 12 years in the River Region in 2017. He hosts the Newstalk 93.1FM Morning Show with Rich Thomas, Jay Scott & Emily Hayes, 6-9AM Monday-Friday. He returns weekday afternoons from 3-6PM for Happy Hour with sidekick Joey Clark. Greg can be reached at gregbudell@aol.com
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January 2019
{12 Things} for active boomers and beyond
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA
41st Christian College Choral Festival Concert MPAC, Downtown Montgomery Saturday, January 5, 7-9:30 pm
Saturday January 5th, 7-9:30 pm, hundreds of singers from six colleges and universities will come together for an evening of great choral music under the direction of Dr. David Cherwien of the National Lutheran Choir. Participating ensembles: Crowley’s Ridge College Choralaires, Faulkner University Chorus, Florida College Chamber Singers, Florida College Chorus, Freed-Hardeman University Chorale, Harding University Chorus, Lipscomb University A Cappella Singers. The concert is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Allen Clements, aclements@faulkner.edu or visit www.facebook.com/events/1990360671055981/
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA
The Sunshine Spotlight with Goat Haus Biergarten! Goat Haus Biergarten, Montgomery Downtown Thursday, January 10 , 5:30-7:30 pm The Family Sunshine Center & Goat Haus Biergarten are coming together to bring awareness to our community through hope, healing, and good eats! This is a FREE event open to the community. 20% of food and beverage sales from that night will be donated to the Family Sunshine Center. Plan to be there and get to know the Family Sunshine Center. Call 334.625.9602 for more information or visit www.facebook.com/events/280682495977244/
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA The Drifters, Coasters, The Platters MPAC, Downtown Montgomery Sunday, January 13, 5pm
The Drifters, Coasters, The Platters Sunday, January 13, 5:00 pm Tickets: $62, $55, $35 Three rock and roll hall of fame legends on the same stage, for one night only. With more than 94 charted records and 45 top 10 hits combined, you’ll hear favorites like Under The Boardwalk, Stand By Me, On Broadway, This Magic Moment, Up On The Roof, Save The Last Dance for Me, Yakety Yak, Charlie Brown, Poison Ivy, Only You, The Great Pretender, Magic Touch, Smoke Gets In Your Eyes, and many more. For tickets visit www.mpaconline.org.
30a SEASIDE, FLORIDA
The 30A Songwriters Festival Along Highway 30a, Florida Gulf Coast Friday-Sunday, January 18-21st, various times and venues The 10th annual 30A SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL – set for January 18-21 The festival, held in venues along scenic Highway 30A in Florida’s South Walton County, will feature main stage performances in presenting partner Grand Boulevard’s Town Center by esteemed artists including JASON ISBELL, BRANDI CARLILE, FELIX CAVALIERE’S RASCALS and more! There will be 175 artists,
225 performances at more than 25 venues. For more info visit www.30asongwritersfestival.com
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA BourbonHam The Haven, Birmingham Sunday, January 20, 2-6 pm
BourbonHam is Birmingham’s premiere Bourbon and BBQ fundraising event for the National MS Society. Whether you are a bourbon afficianado or novice, BourbonHam is definitely a must for all to experience. Bourbon accompanied with award winning BBQ, live blues music & the National MS Society make for a great southern event for all to attend. With multiple ticketing options to choose from, patrons will have the opportunity of tasting a selection of over 50 different bourbons/ whiskeys along with a sampling of award winning BBQ to indulge in while listening to live music. You can also catch the AFC & NFC playoff games as they are televised at the event. for more info visit www.bourbonham.com
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA Four Little Girls: Birmingham 1963 ASF, Festival Stage January 25 – February 13
Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, Cynthia Wesley, and Addie Mae
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The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
Collins. Four little girls who are multitalented and filled with promise share their hopes and dreams against the backdrop of the Civil Rights Movement. Produced in collaboration with Montgomery Public Schools. “What bothers me most is that their names have been virtually erased. They are inevitably referred to as ‘the four black girls.’” – Excerpt from Four Little Girls: Birmingham 1963 by Christina Ham For more information, call ASF 334.271.5353 or visit https://asf.net/four-little-girls-birmingham-1963/
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA Vince Gill Alabama Theatre, Birmingham Wednesday, January 30, 7:30 pm
One of the most popular singers in modern country music, VINCE GILL is famous for his top-notch songwriting, world-class guitar playing and warm, soaring tenor, all wrapped up in a quick and easy wit. Gill achieved his big breakthrough in 1990 with “When I Call Your Name,” which won both the Country Music Association’s Single and Song of the Year awards as well as a Grammy. Gill has won 18 CMA Awards, including Song of the Year four times – making him the most-awarded artist in that in that category in CMA history. For more info visit www.alabamatheatre.com
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA
MPAC Presents Wayne Newton Up Close and Personal MPAC, Downtown Montgomery Thursday February 7th, 7:30 pm Born on April 3, 1942, Wayne Newton started singing professionally as a child. In his teenage years, he performed with his older brother. Newton became a solo performer in the early 1960s and scored such hits as "Danke Schoen" and "Red Roses for a Blue Lady." For the next several decades, Newton established himself as one of Las Vegas's most popular and highest-paid performers. For more info visit www.mpaconline.org or www.waynenewton.com
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA
RON "Tater Salad" WHITE MPAC Thursday, February 14, 8 pm Comedian Ron “Tater Salad” White first rose to fame as the cigarsmoking, scotch-drinking funnyman from the Blue Collar Comedy Tour phenomenon, but now as a chart-topping Grammy Nominated comedian and a feature film actor, Ron White has established himself as a star in his own right. White has always been a classic storyteller. His Stories relay tales from his real life, ranging from growing up in a small town in Texas to sharing stories of his daily life to becoming one
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of the most successful comedians in America. For ticket info visit www.mpaconline.org
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA The Big Wine Bash 129 Coosa, above Central
Friday, February 22, 6-8 pm A first-class wine tasting event by Ted "The Wine Guy" & Co. The Big Wine Bash will be held at 129 Coosa, the beautifully renovated space above Central restaurant in downtown Montgomery. There will be something for every taste, with 100+ wines open from regions such as California, Oregon, Washington, France, Italy, Australia, Argentina and Spain. Wines will be available for sale (with deep discounts!) by preorder, and can be picked up at our store on Zelda Road about 1 week after the event. How Much: $30 in advance, $40 at the door. Tickets are now on sale at Ted the Wine Guy and online at the Eventbrite website: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/big-wine-bash-2019tickets-53403292686
ENTERPRISE, ALABAMA
Jukebox Saturday Night, A Musical Review of the great Big Bands Enterprise High School Performing Arts Center Thursday, February 14, 7 pm Jukebox Saturday Night is a musical review of the great Big Bands during the 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s. Performances celebrate America’s Swing Era featuring the greatest hits recorded by Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, Jimmie Lunceford, Artie Shaw, Harry James, Les Brown, Woody Herman and many others. For information, call 334.406.2787 or visit the web for tickets www.CoffeeCountyArtsAlliance.com
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA
Alabama Dance Theatre, “Beauty & the Beast” Troy University’s Davis Theatre for the Performing Arts March 1-3, various times The Alabama Dance Theatre, in its 32nd season, will present the world premiere of “Beauty & the Beast” on Friday, March 1st at 7pm, Saturday, March 2nd at 2:30 pm and Sunday, March 3rd at 2:30 pm at Troy University’s Davis Theatre for the Performing Arts. Performance tickets are $15$30. Ticket prices for children ages 12 and under are $15. For tickets, call 334.625.2590 or visit www.alabamadancetheatre.com. *Following the Saturday matinee children can meet Beauty & her friends onstage for an additional $10 charge. For more info visit www.alabamadancetheatre.com
Digital & Interactive
R ive r Re gio n Bo o m . co m
January 2019
f re e su bsc r i pt i on s at w w w.rive r re gio n b o o m.co m
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Eating Smart with Tracy Bhalla
Frozen Dessert Versus Ice Cream Hmmm…well my jury’s still out on this one and may be for some time yet. Personally, I’m not a huge ice cream fan anyway; it’s not my first dessert choice, though I do enjoy a scoop every now and then, usually in summertime and definitely when it’s home-made. As with everything, if you don’t eat too much of it, it’s not going to harm you. And in fact, with regular ice cream there is some protein and calcium to be had from the milk content that is actually good for you. Of course, if you’re lactose intolerant then these new desserts are marvelous, but many of us are not, so are they really healthier than ice cream? I should mention at this point that it is the FDA who require that anything called “ice cream” must contain milk or cream, hence the phrase “frozen desserts” that you will see on the non-dairy labels. Just from curiosity more than anything else I have tried various versions of these new “frozen desserts” that are taking over the ice cream aisle of every supermarket. Arctic Zero, Halo Top and Enlightened are the three I’ve tried and, honestly, had a mixed response to. Of the three, Halo Top is probably my favorite – and it’s also now the biggest selling ice cream in the US(!)- it is an actual ice cream as it contains milk and cream, but it claims to be healthier than regular ice cream. To me the flavor and texture came the closest to real ice cream of the three. They do come in very unusual flavors too – Birthday Cake or Chocolate Mocha Chip for example, but it is quite expensive.
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calories per serving! Some coconutbased brands can also have up to 15 grams of saturated fat, and 20+ grams of sugar per half-cup serving! That’s a lot. As always, try and be dedicated enough to thoroughly check nutrition labels, they’re the only things that don’t lie.
To compare it to regular ice cream, a serving of Halo Top Vanilla Bean would have 70 calories, Breyers Vanilla Bean Ice Cream – 130 calories. The total fat content of a serving of Halo Top is 3%, Breyers is 11%. The sugar content is Halo Top is 5g, compared to Breyers at 14g. In addition, the protein level of Halo Top is 5g, more than twice the 2g of Breyers (that’s a good one to be high in!) So, you can see that overall the Halo Top brand have achieved a healthier version of ice cream fairly successfully. Their ingredients list is also mainly organic and totally recognizable (i.e. no strange chemical formulas): INGREDIENTS: milk and cream, cultured nonfat milk, eggs, whey, erythritol, organic cane sugar, chicory root, casein protein, organic vanilla extract, organic vanilla beans, sea salt, organic carob gum, organic guar gum, organic stevia. (Erythritol is a sugar alcohol found in grapes and pears that doesn’t impact blood glucose levels or cause your body to bloat.) The other brands of dairy less frozen desserts basically replace the milk and cream with an alternative like coconut, soy, almond or cashew milk. Pretty much everything else remains the same. Coconut is probably the most favored as it gives a rich, creamy texture, but it is also high in saturated fat, so a dessert made with coconut can have up to 250
Frozen yogurt has always been a good alternative to ice cream (if you need one) and it’s still a good option. Now let’s see you reading a label – you see the calories are about the same as regular ice cream, but the protein is much higher (good), sugar is around the same, but fat is much lower (good), also there is a good chunk of calcium and even a little iron in there. Overall a good, tasty alternative. In my opinion, ice cream is not unhealthy if eaten in moderation, however if you are one of these people who eats it straight out of the tub, then maybe you should look at some of the alternatives out there. There are MANY, I have only scratched the surface here. Just be sure to apply your common sense, read the label and don’t just assume because it’s different that it’s necessarily better. Happy New Year! Tracy Bhalla, Independent Consultant with NYR Organics, website: us.nyrorganic.com/shop/ tracybhalla email: nyrbhalla@gmail.com You can also visit Tracy’s blog at Tracybhalla.com, Continuing my obsession with all things organic, I have been working with NYR for two years now, using their skincare products myself for over 25 years! Your skin is the body’s largest organ, it deserves to be well looked after. I am here to answer any questions you may have.
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine