Best Years

GET YOUR FLIRT ON & ROCK HIS WORLD

BEST YEARS FABULOUS LIVING AT 50+

4

FALL/WINTER 2015

Great Girlfriend Getaways

Harvest Party Recipes

Andie

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Embracing a new chapter in her life

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FEATURES

32

FUN WAYS TO FEEL BETTER

Why coloring books, travel and trees are good for you

40

GIRLFRIEND GETAWAYS

Renew and re-energize with your BFFs

48

AMAZING ANDIE MACDOWELL

Actress embraces the next chapter in her life

55

PHOTO BY DOUG KAPUSTIN; FOOD STYLING BY DIANA JEFFRA

THE GOOD LIFE IS CALLING

Planning to retire?

Fabulous towns are waiting

64 FALL ALFRESCO There’s still time to plan a picnic with autumn recipes from celeb chefs

RECIPES INSIDE RED CABBAGE, PISTACHIO & CRANBERRY SALAD 68 HARVEST BEEF CHILI WITH PUMPKIN SQUASH 69 CARAMELIZED ONION & POTATO HAND-PIES 70

ALWAYS APPROPRIATE APPLE CAKE 72

BEST YEARS FALL/WINTER 2015

PREMIUM PUBLICATION

9

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Jeanette Barrett-Stokes jbstokes@usatoday.com

UP FRONT

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jerald Council jcouncil@usatoday.com

BEAUTY & STYLE Make your life more beautiful

10 12 14 17 21 22 27 28 30

MANAGING EDITOR Michelle Washington mjwashington@usatoday.com

Scrumptious facial masks

CREATIVE MEDIA MANAGER Christine Neff cneff@usatoday.com

Statement jewelry with flair Wrap up fall with a scarf

EDITORS Chris Garsson Elizabeth Neus Sara Schwartz

Botox: Know the basics

DESIGNERS Ashleigh Carter Gina Toole Saunders Lisa M. Zilka

FOOD & EXERCISE Make your life healthier

INTERNS Miranda Pellicano Alexa Rogers

Brew a perfect cup of coffee

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Matt Alderton, Katie Kelly Bell, Mary Helen Berg, Linda Childers, Hollie Deese, Chrystle Fiedler, Lisa Marie Hart, Jodi Helmer, Tammy Kennon, Zoe King, Cindy Kuzma, Nancy Monson, Carole Sugarman, Debbie Swanson

LIFESTYLE Make your life easier Tips on emoji etiquette How to empty out your purse

75

DEPARTMENTS HEALTH

75 78

Help for enduring hot flashes Neighborhood pharmacies go high-tech

Jobs that take you to awesome places Adorable little houses make a big impact

FINANCE BILLING COORDINATOR Julie Marco

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Strategies to save for retirement

RELATIONSHIPS Rev up your libido — naturally!

BACK PAGE Make life more meaningful

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CAREER & FINANCE Sheila Johnson shines in a third act

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BEST YEARS I FALL / WINTER 2015

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| BEST YEARS

up Front B E AU T Y & ST Y L E 9 | FO O D & E X E RCISE 2 1 | L I F E ST Y L E 2 7

JUST ONE THING

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You’ve got it now — a little extra time to focus on yourself. If you’re ready for a few changes to make your life even better, our pages are full of ideas, from stress relievers that you’re going to love to the importance of getting away with your girlfriends.

And because many experts agree that the secret to success is not taking on too much at once, we’ve created Just One Thing advice pages throughout the magazine, where you’ll find great tips and suggestions. Choose one goal at a time and make it a welcome part of your day!

1

BEAUTY & STYLE | UP FRONT

Just One Thing ...

Start a new habit and make life more beautiful!

BY HOLLIE DEESE

COURTESY OF THE COMPANIES; THINKSTOCK

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Drink Deep

Be Sun-Sensible

Up your water intake to ensure that your skin stays hydrated and healthy — a huge first step in maintaining our “glow” as we age. Bonus: Drinking more water also keeps your temperature regulated, cushions your joints and flushes out toxins, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Designer brands are on the market, but even tap water works all kinds of wonders.

Still not wearing daily sunscreen? Not good. You know overexposure to the sun can lead to skin cancer, so use moisturizers that do double-duty. Try: ▶ DDF Ultra-Lite Oil-Free Moisturizing Dew with Broad Spectrum SPF 15 for your face for a youthful, dewy complexion. ▶ Jergens BB Protect Perfecting Body Cream with sunscreen that also hydrates and evens skin tone. Plus, it smells amazing.

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Let’s face it — perfecting the smoky eye is no easy feat for most of us. For a little coaching, turn to the videos posted by YouTuber easyNeon, who offers advice on products to use and how to apply them, without saying a word. youtube.com/user/easyNeon/videos

9

UP FRONT | BEAUTY & STYLE

Treat Your Face Take time to relax and rejuvenate with deliciously age-defying beauty masks

BY ALEXA ROGERS

1 | A CHOCOLATE TREAT Farmhouse Fresh Sundae Best chocolate mask fights wrinkles and sagging skin while softening with a blend of cocoa, coconut milk and honey. $22, farm housefreshgoods.com 2 | A SWEET SOLUTION Crème Ancienne ultimate nourishing honey mask melts into your skin for six hours of moisturizing, as well as improved elasticity. $140, fresh.com

berry and blueberry extracts help prevent premature aging caused by environmental damage. It smells delicious and is cruelty-free. $54, dermstore.com

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5 | ROSE THERAPY Enjoy the fragrant delights of Rose Stem Cell bio-repair gel mask from Peter Thomas Roth, which combines rose stem cells with rose extracts to boost cell turnover and tone skin. $45, nordstrom. com

3 | MINTY FRESH The Mask of Magnaminty face and body mask from Lush deep cleans with China clay, peppermint, vanilla absolute and honey that combine to exfoliate, soothe and pull debris from pores. Handmade from fresh ingredients; no animal testing. $12.95, lushusa.com

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PHOTO BY JERALD COUNCIL; STYLED BY LISA M. ZILKA

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Whether you’re looking to live it up or slow it down, life in Louisiana allows you to set your own pace. Discover the advantages of retiring Louisiana style. Š2015 Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism

UP FRONT | BEAUTY & STYLE

Exotic Flair Make a bold statement with jewelry from award-winning designer Evelyn Brooks

Elegant accessories by Brooks include, clockwise from top left: ◀ Half-moon earrings, $48 ◀ Exotic rain necklace, $180 ◀ Good luck crochet earrings, $85

INSPIRED BY her native country of Peru, Brooks uses red and black huayruro seeds from the Peruvian Amazon to make her jewelry.

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BEST YEARS I FALL / WINTER 2015

Huayruro

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UP FRONT | BEAUTY & STYLE

2 1

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Dramatic Twists Make the transition from summer to fall with pretty scarves that are always in style

BY ZOE KING

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1 | No need to shy away from white after Labor Day. With the toasted coconut accent on the Chan Luu Shadow Dye cashmere and silk scarf, this luxurious little number is ready for fall. 64 inches by 70 inches. $205, zappos.com

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2 | This etched rosette scarf keeps a rich floral motif going into autumn and adds fun pom-pom edging.

Made of viscose. 44 inches by 76 inches. $59.50, anntaylor. com

BEST YEARS I FALL / WINTER 2015

3 | The Brooklyn micromodal scarf transforms the New York City borough’s skyline into a wearable piece of art.

72 inches by 28 inches. $125, calypsostbarth.com

4 | Add some whimsy with the Amazing Quote scarf

by Debbie Martin, which incorporates elegantly penned quotes about love and happiness on cotton/modal fabric.

29 inches by 79 inches. $68, uncommongoods.com

5 | Make a bright fashion statement and get cozy, too, with Banana Republic’s star stitch scarf, a blend of merino wool, alpaca and nylon. 36 inches by 70 inches. $69.50, bananarepublic.com

6 | La Fiorentina’s ombré silk scarf moves with you through the seasons in a beautiful swirl of colors. 40 inches by 72 inches. $78, nordstrom.com

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BEAUTY & STYLE | UP FRONT

Botox Basics Does it make sense for you?

BY CHRYSTLE FIEDLER

A

frown line here, traces of crow’s feet there.

When it comes to the inevitable signs of aging, millions of Americans are turning to Botox as a quick and easy way to erase wrinkles and look younger.

Here’s a look at what you can realistically expect from Botox treatments and what you should consider before deciding to book an appointment.

THINKSTOCK

What Does Botox Do? Injections of botulinum toxin type A, or Botox, target dynamic wrinkles, the ones caused by the contraction of facial muscles when we smile, laugh or frown.

“Crow’s feet are the first sign of aging as the skin becomes less elastic, followed by smile and frown lines,” says Dr. Francesca Fusco, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. “When Botox is injected into a muscle of the face, it makes it relax so that it contracts less, or not at all, allowing the skin to remain smooth and unwrinkled.”

Made from the toxin that

17

UP FRONT | BEAUTY & STYLE

The increase in the number of botulinum toxin type A injections from 2000 to 2014, according to a 2014 report from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. At 6.67 million procedures, it was the most performed minimally invasive cosmetic procedure in 2014.

is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which causes a type of food poisoning known as botulism, Botox is administered in much smaller doses when used in cosmetic procedures.

Am I a Good Candidate?

“You’re a good candidate for Botox if you’d like to have crow’s feet or forehead lines treated,” says Fusco.

“It can absolutely help by decreasing the contraction of muscles around the eyes and on the forehead.”

The effect lasts up to about four months but varies by individual.

Botox can even help to prevent wrinkles, although so far the FDA has only approved it for the treatment of existing crow’s feet and frown lines.

“Most dermatologists, including myself, believe that Botox helps to prevent wrinkles,” says Dr. Robyn S. Gmyrek, an assistant professor of dermatology at Columbia University in New

18

York. It makes sense: “If you don’t make the motions, you won’t make the wrinkles.”

New research published in the journal JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery in May suggests that Botox, when used to treat mild wrinkles, can promote skin pliability and elasticity — two hallmarks of youthful-looking skin — for up to four months.

What if I Look ‘Frozen’?

One common concern is that the injections will result in an unnatural look.

“Women worry that they’ll look plastic or frozen, but Botox is dose-dependent,” says Fusco. “Just ask your dermatologist to do a mild injection of Botox so that you don’t frown as forcefully, and slowly over time, the lines will get better.”

Physicians seem to be lightening their touch. In a retrospective review of about 200 patients that was presented at a 2014 meeting of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, researchers noted that the

BEST YEARS I FALL / WINTER 2015

dosages of Botox used to treat horizontal forehead lines have decreased since 1999 in order to achieve a more natural look.

But beware: If Botox migrates beyond the targeted area, it can cause side effects such as drooping eyelids. While Fusco says drooping eyelids are rare, “you’ll minimize the chances of it happening if you follow instructions afterwards, like keeping your head upright and not rubbing your face.”

Will It Hurt?

If you’re worried about the pain associated with the procedure, Gmyrek says it’s actually very minimal. “It’s an injection, so you’ll feel a pinch and a tiny bit of a stinging sensation as it goes in,” she says.

As a result, most clients don’t bother with numbing the face ahead of time, which can take 15 to 30 minutes. “People are in a hurry, and a Botox injection takes mere seconds,”

How Much Does It Cost?

Botox treatments for cosmetic reasons are generally not covered by insurance.

The average cost is $392, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, but in areas such as New York, the treatments can run as high as $500 to $750.

What’s My First Step?

Undergoing Botox treatments is a commitment, so review all your options first.

“You have to be mentally, emotionally and financially ready to do Botox,” Gmyrek says. “It’s not a big deal to do the procedure; it’s a big deal to begin” — especially since the injections should be repeated every few months or so.

To start, find a doctor who is experienced in injecting Botox and will spend time with you to assess your skin and review the procedure and any possible side effects.

“Managing expectations is also important, since Botox is not a magic pill,” Fusco explains. “I always ask my patients: ‘What are you hoping that this will do?’”

For more information and to find a doctor, visit the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery at asds.net.

THINKSTOCK

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Gmyrek says.

Although “Botox injections are pretty fool-proof,” you may experience a few mild side effects, Fusco says. The most common involve pain, swelling or bruising at the injection site.

Some people experience mild flu-like symptoms or a headache. For more information on possible side effects, talk to your doctor.

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FOOD & EXERCISE | UP FRONT

Just One Thing ...

Start a new habit and make life healthier!

THINKSTOCK

BY HOLLIE DEESE

Go Meatless

Walk the Dog

Eating too much red meat has been linked to a greater risk of dying from heart disease and some cancers, so at least once a week, serve up dinners featuring seasonal veggies (see our Fall Alfresco story, page 64). Or, flavor quick meals like spaghetti and tacos with meatless substitutes, such as Lightlife Smart Ground Crumbles, that have the texture of ground beef.

Take your best friend for a daily 30-minute walk (or two 15-minute jaunts) and health experts say you’ll both reap numerous benefits. To make things more interesting, pick up a fitness tracker such as a FitBit for yourself and one for your pet — check out the FitBark (fitbark.com) or Whistle Activity Monitor (whistle.com).

Swap Snacks

Sit Up Straight!

Food Network host, cookbook author and Robin’s Healthy Take blogger Robin Miller says you can still enjoy your sweet and savory snacks without damaging your waistline by swapping out munchies such as pretzels (about 170 calories a cup) for popcorn (31 calories). “Air-popped and lightly salted and I’m a happy snacker!”

Hunching over a desk is a surefire way to sabotage your posture and, potentially, your health. Be conscious of how you’re sitting, and get up and move or stretch regularly. The Mayo Clinic offers these ergonomic tips: Keep your keyboard at elbow height so your hands can rest on the desk, place your computer at eye level and adjust your chair so that your feet touch the ground.

21

UP FRONT | FOOD & EXERCISE

QUALITIES TO SHOOT FOR: Sweet, complex and balanced.

BEST EQUIPMENT: It depends on how involved you want to be in your coffee process. If you want to spend a few extra minutes, I recommend the Chemex (see page 24). It makes really delicious filtered coffee but takes extra manual effort and some skill to perfect it. (For step-by-step instructions, visit chemexcoffeemaker.com.)

If you’re in a hurry, I recommend the classic French press, especially if you’re going to add milk. It makes a fuller-bodied coffee and it’s so easy.

An award-winning barista shares her secrets

BY CAROLE SUGARMAN

I

f your morning cup of coffee provides just an ordinary wakeup call, it might be time for a more exciting — and flavorful — buzz. To master the art of brewing great coffee at home, we sought advice from Sarah Anderson, the 27-year-old winner of the 2015 U.S. Brewers Cup competition sponsored by the Specialty Coffee Association of America.

A senior barista at Intelligentsia Coffee in Pasadena, Calif., Anderson swept the manual brewing competition in February using Bolivian-grown coffee and a two-step filtered immersion method.

For non-competitors who want a jazzier cup of joe, here are winning strategies from Anderson:

22

BEST YEARS I FALL / WINTER 2015

GRINDING BEANS: Any sort of blade grinder is not good. It won’t create uniform pieces. A better choice is a burr grinder.

I recommend two brands: Mahlkonig and Baratza.

WATER: It’s a huge part of coffee. Of what ends up in your cup, the coffee itself is 1½ to 2 percent of the total beverage — 98 percent is water. Coffee made with tap water with a high mineral content (hard water) will be under-extracted and taste sour, weak and tart. If the water has very low mineral content (soft water), it will taste over-extracted, bitter, heavy and very astringent.

THINKSTOCK

Brew a Perfect Cup of Coffee

CHOOSING COFFEE BEANS: Explore coffee like you’re purchasing wine. There are different varieties of coffee, and each has a different taste, just like pinot noir is different from cabernet. Coffees from Central and South America have a soft acidity, nicer body, with notes of milk chocolate and red fruit.

Those are good for the first cup in the morning.

For coffee in the afternoon, head over to Eastern Africa — Kenya or Ethiopia. Those have more citric acidity, more orange or lemon and floral notes.

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UP FRONT | FOOD & EXERCISE You want something right in the middle. At our shop, we sell growlers and people can come in and get the water we use.

We have a really complicated water filtration system. Crystal Geyser (Alpine Spring Water) is similar to the water we have at the shop.

on the bag. Anything roasted within a week is amazing.

Anything within a couple of weeks should be OK. If it’s been months, you’ll want to look for something fresher. Don’t buy more than you can use within a week or two.

STORAGE: Keep it away from oxygen and away from light.

Keep it at room temperature.

You don’t want it to get too hot.

Definitely don’t put it in the freezer; if you’re taking it out all the time and exposing it to the air, it will collect condensation.

Exposure to condensation will start to deteriorate your coffee.

RATIO OF COFFEE TO WATER: We use a 1-to-16 ratio. We weigh all the coffee and water. So for 26 grams of coffee, we use 415 grams of water.

If you want to consistently brew good coffee every time, use a scale. That being said, if the batteries in your scale are broken, the standard 2 tablespoons coffee to 12 ounces of water is good.

LEARN MORE ABOUT COFFEE: Do research online, find a coffee shop close to you that makes good coffee — and a barista who will talk your ear off.

FRESHNESS: Most good coffee shops will put the roast date

Being particular about the beans and the water you use are two of the secrets to brewing a great cup of coffee, says award-winning barista Sarah Anderson of Intelligentsia Coffee in Pasadena, Calif.

“Like tasting wine, it’s easier to tell the difference between coffees by tasting side by side. Go to a coffee shop with some friends, and order coffees from different parts of the world. You’ll get an idea of what each region tastes like.”

— SARAH ANDERSON, WINNER OF THE 2015 U.S. BREWERS CUP

The stoneware exterior of Le Creuset’s 27-ounce French press features a glazed-enamel finish in a variety of classic colors. $64.99, bedbathandbeyond.com

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BEST YEARS I FALL / WINTER 2015

The Classic Chemex coffeemaker keeps brewing simple: Add a filter with ground coffee, pour in hot water and enjoy. Available in 3-, 6-, 8- and 10-cup sizes. $38.90 to $47.50, chemexcoffeemaker.com

Impress your guests with the 34-oz.

Bodum 8 Cup 1928-18 Chambord Classic coffeemaker in a copper finish. $65.95, amazon.com

Hario olive wood double-walled coffee press combines wood, leather, durable glass and stainless steel for a contemporary look. $89, seattlecoffeegear. com

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LIFESTYLE | UP FRONT

Just One Thing ...

Start a new habit and make life easier!

BY HOLLIE DEESE

Subscribe to a Big Idea

Name That Tune

Subscription services are all the rage and can save you lots of time. Give yourself a break with a meal delivery service such as Blue Apron (blueapron.com), which develops personalized menus and delivers fresh ingredients for meals (like pan-seared cod, above). Or eliminate endless trips to the pet store with regular deliveries of dog or cat food through national chains such as Petco.

Expand your music library and end the frustration of hearing a really great song and not being able to identify it. The free Shazam app (shazam.com) picks up on the song being played and not only displays the title and artist but provides the lyrics, as well as links to info about the artist and formats for listening, in addition to ways to buy. It even IDs TV shows!

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Find Your Joy For less stress and a happier home, take notes from The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Japanese organizer Marie Kondo. To overhaul your space, Kondo’s method calls for you to put qualifying items on the floor, then pick them up one by one. The only question you need to answer to keep the item is: Does it spark joy?

Take Command Amazon’s Echo, a voice-activated, cloud-connected command device, is like having a personal assistant. Handsfree Echo provides information, checks weather and sports, plays music, reads the news and more — instantly. amazon.com

27

UP FRONT | LIFESTYLE

Emoji Etiquette Add fun and flair to texts without putting your foot in your smiley face’s mouth

BY MATT ALDERTON

W

hen retired schoolteacher Martha McLoughlin turned 60, her smartphone buzzed with birthday wishes. Most of them were the standard, “Happy birthday!” A few, however, included the SMS equivalent of a noisemaker and confetti: emojis.

“I got texts with birthday cakes, thumbs-ups, balloons, party hats — all kinds of things,” enthused McLoughlin, of Altamont, N.Y., who says the emojis

added “a little more pizzazz” to the messages.

Emojis — small, full-color pictures used in text messages, chat and social media to indicate emotions, activities or objects — originated in Japan. Emojis are basically 21st-century hieroglyphics (the word is Japanese for “picture letter”).

“Emoji are really the first international language,” says Tom Smith, co-founder and CEO of Imoji, an app that lets users create custom emojis in the form of digital “stickers.”

Emojis aren’t just more efficient than

DO end with emojis. Used sparingly at the end of sentences, emojis can enhance texts by giving them tone and inflection.

DO use emojis for emphasis. Using three hearts instead of one can effectively illustrate your enthusiasm.

DO’S

DO be culturally sensitive.

Some emojis might have negative connotations abroad.

“Thumbs-up,” for instance, means “good job” in Western culture; in the Middle East, it means “up yours.”

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BEST YEARS I FALL / WINTER 2015

DON’T substitute emojis for words. In April, tennis champ Roger Federer sent an all-emoji tweet illustrating how he’d spent each hour in his day. Although creative, such uses may convolute the message instead of clarifying it.

EMOJI DO’S AND DON’TS The universal appeal of emojis makes them mostly foolproof.

Knowing a few basic rules of emoji “etiquette,” however, will ensure your messages get a “thumbs-up.”

words — in many cases, they’re also more effective, says Smith. “With emoji, when you’re happy you send a smiley face, when you’re being supportive you send a thumbs-up and when you’re annoyed, you send a frowny,” he says.

“It’s very clear because we all have the same universal emotions.”

According to Emoji keyboard maker Swyft Media, 74 percent of Americans have used emojis in their online communications, and 35 percent do so daily.

DON’TS

DON’T use them at work.

Adding emojis to business communications could make you seem more personable on the one hand, but it could make you appear less professional on the other.

DON’T use too many emojis.

Three consecutive hearts is OK; 10 is overkill.

MISTAKEN IDENTITY Currently, there are 1,281 official emojis. Some, like the smiley and frowny, are easy to interpret. Others? Not so much. Here are some of the most commonly misused emojis:

Face with look of triumph: The face blowing steam from its nostrils isn’t intended to evoke anger; rather, it’s meant to convey “winning.”

Face with OK gesture: This girl could be a ballerina, but she’s really indicating the Japanese gesture for “OK” by creating an “O” over her head.

Sleepy face: The “drip” on this face isn’t a tear; it’s a snot bubble, which signifies sleep in Japan.

Dash: You use it for flatulence, but it actually denotes speed.

Tired face: Although this emoji looks anguished, he’s just yawning.

Women with bunny ears: These ladies look innocent, but they’re not just dancers or friends. They’re “Bunny Girls,” Japan’s version of Playboy bunnies.

Person with folded hands: Folded hands in Japan signify gratitude. Although it looks like praying or high-fiving, it’s meant to convey “please” and “thank you.”

Eggplant: Technically, it’s just a vegetable. Though be prepared for a snicker; most people use it as a phallus.

UP YOUR EMOJI GAME

Imoji: Use this free app to turn any image — pictures of your kids or pets, for example — into an emojilike sticker that you can text to others. imojiapp.com

Emojipedia: Look up what each emoji is and how to use it, and see what emojis look like across platforms — iOS, Android, Google, Microsoft, Twitter. emojipedia.org

Emoji Type: This 99-cent keyboard app for devices running iOS 8 autosuggests emojis as you type. emojitype.co

Keymoji: This free keyboard app for devices running iOS 8 automatically “translates” phrases and sentences into a series of emojis. keymojiapp. com

APPLE

Here are five resources that will make you an emoji expert

Mogee: This free app sends animated emojis, such as a dancing smiley or a smiley eating a cheeseburger. mogeeapp.com

29

UP FRONT | LIFESTYLE

Love Your Purse Again If your bag is weighing you down, here are seven ways to get organized for a lighter and freer you

BY TAMMY KENNON

2 NO CHEATING! Avoid the common trap of proudly sporting a tiny bag but pairing it with a monster backpack or tote.

3 CHOOSE WISELY The perfect bag is lightweight and has some structure and generous pockets. Make sure it has a dedicated pocket for your phone, preferably on the outside for quick access.

4 CONSIDER SHAPE Avoid bags that are narrow at the top and wide at the bottom — aka bottomless holes — and make sure the straps are comfortable.

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BEST YEARS I FALL / WINTER 2015

5 CHUCK THE FREELOADERS The hallmark of hoarding is the inability to discard or remove items that are no longer needed. Gulp. When you ask yourself when you last used each item in your purse, but you can’t remember, that’s a good sign that you can boot it. Good-bye, orange lip gloss.

6 DO A WEEKLY SHAKEDOWN Dealing with a cluttered bag is an ongoing battle.

Make a habit of evicting the freeloaders on a regular basis. Adios, useless receipts and flattened granola bars.

7 STREAMLINE YOUR WALLET Most of us lug around way more than is necessary in our wallets. One culprit: all those rewards cards. Many stores let you use your phone number instead (or an app). Poof — you just eliminated half a dozen cards!

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Ntoatural W ays Feel Better Coloring books, such as Enchanted Forest by Johanna Basford and Color Me Happy by Lacy Mucklow and Angela Porter, have become popular for adults.

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JERALD COUNCIL

{

B

oosting your well-being can be simpler, and more enjoyable, than you may think. While medical advances have much to offer, it turns out that some very popular and time-honored activities may truly be good for us.

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BEST YEARS I FALL / WINTER 2015

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BEST YEARS I FALL / WINTER 2015

Good Health Does Grow on Trees

M

BY CINDY KUZMA

ary Alice Mastrovito considered herself in tune with the natural world, especially its botanical residents — after all, she gardened professionally for more than 20

years.

But when she began guiding walks in the woods to share her knowledge of local plants and trees, she felt a profound shift occur.

“I realized the forest was offering something I couldn’t quite name, but that was a calming influence on my life,” she says. “I felt I was a different person when the walk ended than when the walk began — a better person.”

Without realizing it, the 64-year-old Cleveland resident was reaping the benefits of something the Japanese call shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing.” The practice seems simple: Spend focused, intentional periods of time among trees, soaking them in through all five senses.

Science increasingly suggests it has profound effects on mental and physical well-being, including lowering blood pressure, boosting immunity, warding off depression, enhancing creativity and mental focus and relieving the physical and psychological effects of stress.

Mastrovito now knows shinrin-yoku by name and shares the gifts of the woods through her coaching and guiding company, Looking Deeper. After a week of training at The Morton Arboretum outside Chicago, she plans to join the growing ranks of certified forest therapy guides — qualified professionals who transform strolls down tree-lined trails into healing experiences.

THINKSTOCK

Gu i d ed Wal k s i n t h e W o o d s

In lush green northern California in 2012, longtime wilderness guide Amos Clifford founded the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs, which offers the training Mastrovito attended.

Clifford hopes to build a large network of credentialed guides, allowing any doctor in the U.S. to refer patients to Mother Nature.

At least one already does. Dr. Lynn Mortensen, a family physician at Kaiser Permanente in Santa Rosa, Calif., keeps a

pre-printed prescription pad in her office advising 30 minutes of exercise a day for good health. Often, she’ll write in the name of a specific park for the patient.

People with memory problems, depression, anxiety and caregiver stress find time in the forest particularly beneficial, she says. But almost anyone can boost their well-being in green space: “I think nature might be the most restorative spa a woman could ever visit.”

A growing stack of published research backs the claims. For every 10 trees on a city block, residents feel about 1 percent healthier, according to a study published in the online journal Scientific Reports earlier this year.

c a l m ing Y our M ind and Body

Stepping more fully into the forest seems to enhance these benefits, other studies show. When you practice shinrin-yoku, your parasympathetic nervous system takes over, calming your fight-or-flight response.

Your blood pressure and heart rate drop, and stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, evaporate.

Meanwhile, your count of diseasefighting natural killer cells starts to rise, “creating bodies that don’t get sick as easily,” Clifford says.

In part, these effects are linked to mindfulness, Mortensen says. Absorbing the present moment while outdoors gives your brain a break from the constant overstimulation of today’s technology.

Some believe absorbing organic compounds called phytoncides from plants and trees has beneficial effects, says Dr. JoDean Nicolette, a family medicine specialist at Sutter Health in Santa Rosa, Calif.

Alpha-pinene from conifers and limonene from citrus trees, among others, may stimulate the release of mood-boosting neurotransmitters and reduce blood pressure by relaxing the smooth muscle in blood vessels.

Though scientists continue to study exactly how forest therapy works, Nicolette says we shouldn’t be surprised that it does.

“For the great majority of human existence, human biology has been embedded in the natural environment,” she says.

AN OPEN INVITATION TO THE WOODS Ready for your own forest bath? ▶ Set aside time — ideally, an hour or two — and repeat at least weekly. ▶ Head to a nearby forest or park. ▶ Go alone or with a friend or group.

Spend most of the time in silence (share observations at the end of your walk). ▶ Leave your phone and camera at home. ▶ Walk slowly and intentionally. ▶ Use your senses to observe the forest through what forest guides call “invitations.” They may include noticing what’s in motion, letting your eyes linger on the dark places and shadows, listening closely to the farthest bird you can hear, and inhaling the scent of a flower longer than you normally would.

35

Our designer spent some quality time with Enchanted Forest by Johanna Basford.

{

Crayola colored pencils, markers and crayons

Brands to try 36

BEST YEARS I FALL / WINTER 2015

Loew-Cornell watercolor pencils

Prismacolor colored pencils and watercolor markers Tombow markers

A Colorful

Solution to Stress

W

BY NANCY MONSON

hen the going gets tough, real women start coloring. They’re picking up adult coloring books by the droves, at bookstores and craft stores, on Amazon.com and even from the Home Shopping Network.

The designs appeal to every interest — from whimsical doodles to circular mandalas, nature scenes and fantasy worlds.

Coloring not only evokes happy memories of childhood; the act can also foster a sense of well-being and offer a relaxing respite from our digital world.

Crafters have known this intuitively for years.

An accumulation of research shows that these creative activities can help you de-stress from everyday pressures. Recent studies suggest that structured, rhythmic endeavors such as coloring, knitting, crocheting or quilting are particularly beneficial because they ease you into a meditative state of mind that allows you to push away negative thoughts and worries.

“These activities engage your hands as well as your mind and your focus,” says art therapist

Lacy Mucklow, the author of several best-selling Zen-themed coloring books. “Plus, the repetitive actions release serotonin, the brain transmitter responsible for relaxation.”

Numerous studies have looked into how crafting benefits mood and physical health. In a 2006 study co-sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and several federal health agencies, researchers found that adults 65 or older who engaged in creative activities such as making jewelry, painting or writing had better overall health, made fewer visits to the doctor, used less medication and had fewer health problems than non-crafters.

The women reported that working with textiles was part of their identity, and they regarded it as a form of self-expression.

Stress reduction is a top reason Cathy Simocko-Smith, 59, a professional gardener in Bridgeport, Conn., enjoys coloring. “Coloring at night while I’m watching TV helps quiet my mind,” she says. “I can really lose myself in it, and it stops me from thinking about my work and the stresses in my life.”

JERALD COUNCIL

POPULAR ADULT COLORING BOOKS INCLUDE: ▶ Enchanted Forest ($10.05) and Secret Garden ($9.58) by Johanna Basford, both from Laurence King Publishing, at amazon.com. ▶ Color Me Stress-Free ($10.19), Color Me Happy ($13.19) and Color Me Calm ($10.61) by Lacy Mucklow and Angela Porter, all from Race Point Publishing, at amazon.com.

PUTTING PENCIL TO PAPER Coloring is a great way to explore your creativity — it’s easy, inexpensive and you don’t have to know how to draw.

The 10 to 20 minutes you spend coloring an image that gives you a sense of satisfaction can have a positive ripple effect throughout your day.

WHAT SHOULD YOUR GOALS BE? ▶ Make time to color for a few minutes every day. Think of it as a healthy habit. ▶ Have fun and don’t judge. You don’t have to color inside the lines or finish your picture. If you’re trying to be perfect, you won’t relax.

WHAT ABOUT TECHNIQUE? ▶ Watercolor pencils and markers are particularly fun to use because they allow you to blend colors. ▶ Lay down some color, apply a drop of water and spread the color around with a brush.

— Nancy Monson is a creativity expert and health coach. She is the author of Craft to Heal: Soothing Your Soul with Sewing, Painting, and Other Pastimes.

37

A Trip to WONDERLAND

W

atching giraffes lumber across the vast Serengeti, viewing the majesty of the northern lights or being transported by painter Claude Monet’s Water Lilies might sound like items on a bucket list, but they also might make welcome additions to a more critical “to-do” list, the one that includes eating veggies and taking a daily vitamin.

Because if the awe and wonder you experience on your travels isn’t reward enough, scientists are now finding that the experience might also positively impact your health.

A recent study conducted at the University of California-Berkeley indicates that there’s a direct pathway between feeling awe and exhibiting healthy levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, the molecular messengers that signal the immune system to mount an attack.

M ai nt ai ni ng a B a l a n c e

By mediating inflammation in the body, cytokine cells play an important role in healing wounds and killing pathogens. But they become problematic — and are associated with disorders such as diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and clinical depression — when they get out of balance and remain at high levels even in the absence of infection or trauma.

In two separate studies, researchers at UC-Berkeley asked more than 200 college freshmen to report the degree to which they agreed with statements such as “I feel wonder every day” (a measure of awe) or “I am an intensely cheerful person” (to assess joy). Researchers then took saliva samples from participants to measure their levels of Il-6, a specific pro-inflammatory cytokine.

“People who don’t report feeling awe and wonder in their life every day, these are the individuals that seem to have higher levels of chronic

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BEST YEARS I FALL / WINTER 2015

pro-inflammatory cytokines,” explains Jennifer Stellar, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Toronto who has a Ph.D. in social-personality psychology.

She was the lead author of the cytokine study while at UC-Berkeley.

A n A w esome C onnection

These preliminary findings, published in the journal Emotion, don’t reveal which came first, the lower cytokines or the feelings of awe, but they do indicate that there is a pathway between the two. Across the range of positive emotions in the study, awe proved to be most strongly associated with lower levels of cytokines.

“It’s hard to put it in exact terms,” Stellar says. “All we can say is that the relationship itself is strong.”

The students who scored low on feelings of awe had pro-inflammatory cytokine levels at higher, more chronic levels, which can become damaging over time.

“That awe, wonder and beauty promote healthier levels of cytokines suggests that the things we do to experience these emotions — a walk in nature, losing oneself in music, beholding art — has a direct influence upon health and life expectancy,” says UC-Berkeley psychology professor Dacher Keltner, a co-author of the study, in a university news release.

While it is possible to feel awe and wonder in our daily lives, familiarity breeds complacency. In our rush from one activity to the next, we can fail to be fascinated by our own environment.

Travel, however, is one of the best ways to remove the film of our daily slog, literally opening our eyes to the vastness and boundless beauty of the planet.

Plan a safari to the Serengeti in Africa to view the wildlife and you’ll feel the hot breeze on your skin, see the play of light across the landscape — and experience the wondrous awe of being there.

WHAT TAKES YOUR BREATH AWAY? We get a thrill from the Eiffel Tower in Paris, giraffes on the African plains, Mount Everest in the Himalayas, whalewatching and Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

Are you ready? Pack your bags and plan to be wowed on your next great adventure!

THINKSTOCK

BY TAMMY KENNON

No Boys

ALLOWED

Renew your friendships on girlfriend getaways

BY J O D I H E L M E R

Girlfriend

FROM LEFT: THE VINTAGE ESTATE IN YOUNTVILLE , NAPA VALLEY, CALIF.; CORBIN GURKIN PHOTOGRAPHY; THINKSTOCK

Getaways ara Barwick started taking vacations with her gal pals in the ’80s. For one weekend each summer, the women — friends since high school — travel from all across Georgia to the Florida coast to lounge on the beach, shop, sip cocktails and trade stories about their lives.

The annual trips are just like the sleepovers Barwick, 63, had in high school. “It’s special when you take time to get away with girlfriends,” she says. “There is a whole lot of laughing and catching up. We get to acting like we’re 15 again.”

Whether you spend a girlfriend getaway horseback riding in the mountains, relaxing oceanside, indulging in spa treatments or laughing until the wee hours, the trip ends up being more than a vacation.

“A girlfriend getaway enables women to set aside uninterrupted time together to reconnect and form new memories that will strengthen the foundation of their friendships,” explains Irene S. Levine, a friendship expert, author and professor of psychiatry at New York University School of Medicine.

Levine notes that a number of studies link friendship with improved health and emotional well-being. Having close girlfriends, she explains, also alleviates stress, lowers blood pressure and reduces the risk of depression.

“Because there are issues that women can only talk about with each other, these getaways offer an emotional release,” Levine says.

When it comes to planning the perfect trip, bonding should be the most important item on any itinerary. “Being away from the routines of home and work enables friends to relax and really focus on their relationships,” says Levine.

Getting away with friends also leads to more shared memories,

TRIP TIPS To ensure your girlfriend getaway is a great one, Pam Grout, author of The Girlfriend Getaway Guide: You Go Girl! and I’ll Go, Too, offers these planning tips: PICK THE RIGHT TRAVEL COMPANIONS Choose friends who share the same interests and have similar ideas about the perfect weekend (or weeklong) getaway.

A well-deserved vacation with your BFFs could take you to the Villagio Inn & Spa, left, in Napa Valley, Calif., for some much-needed pampering, or the charming Zero George Street hotel, above, in Charleston, S.C.

Bonding should be the most important item on any itinerary.

Levine notes. This year’s stand-up paddling excursion or late-night dance party will become the experience you reminisce about next year.

And there’s another reason Levine believes girlfriend getaways are more than just self-indulgent luxuries: “Spending time with girlfriends is restorative, helping us become better mothers, wives and daughters.”

“It’s a totally different experience to travel with your girlfriends than your significant other,” adds Barwick.

“It makes you feel young again, especially if they’re old friends.”

COORDINATE SCHEDULES It can be tricky to find a date that works for a group.

Expect to send and receive a flurry of emails. Consider using Doodle (doodle. com), which makes selecting dates easier.

AGREE ON WHERE YOU’LL STAY Explore the options, which range from vacation rentals and hotels to B&Bs and all-inclusive resorts.

SET A BUDGET Everyone should be honest about what they can afford regarding both the destination and anticipated expenses.

Also come to an understanding on which expenses will be shared (accommodations, rental cars, groceries) and which will be handled individually (restaurant meals, spa treatments and shopping).

SETTLE ON AN ITINERARY (OR NOT) Do you and your BFFs do better with a schedule, or does your group prefer to go with the flow?

If the choice is an itinerary, designate someone to draw it up beforehand.

DECIDE ON YOUR DESTINATION Does the group have an affinity for a convenient weekend trip to a nearby beach, or does everyone have their heart set on an exotic locale? Your choice will also have a big impact on your budget.

There’s no one right way to plan a girlfriend getaway, says Grout. “You must get everybody involved and communicate, communicate, communicate.”

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four

KINDS OF FUN Grab your BFFs & go!

Taste

A O F C ALIF O RN I A W INE COUN TRY

SILVERADO RESORT & SPA In Napa Valley, you can indulge in some of your favorite things. To start, at the Silverado Resort & Spa, you’re close to over 400 wineries in one of California’s premiere wine regions.

Try a Lavender Herbal Sugar Scrub or Rose Warm Candle Massage at the spa. If your group has four or more, consider a treatment package with complimentary sparkling wine.

The resort’s Farm to Vineyard to Table package takes groups, along with the hotel chef, to a farmers market to select ingredients for dinner. Then it’s off to a wine-blending seminar at an area winery, where you and your friends will experiment and even compete to create a blend that will be bottled and served with your dinner that night.

Ready for some exercise? Biking is a convenient way to see the valley and visit the vineyards (try the popular Silverado Trail). SILVERADORESORT.COM

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BEST YEARS I FALL / WINTER 2015

An outdoor soak at the Villagio Inn & Spa, bottom left, or a massage and a wine-tasting excursion at the Silverado Resort & Spa are just a few of the ways to enjoy California’s wine country with your friends.

VILLAGIO INN & SPA For accommodations with a European flair, the charming Villagio Inn & Spa, designed after a town in Tuscany, features Italian-style gardens and cobblestone courtyards. Located in the town of Yountville (a paradise for foodies), this Napa Valley inn is close to a number of Michelin-starred restaurants in addition to wineries.

Set up a tour and tasting at Domaine Chandon (known for its sparkling wines), which is only a 10-minute walk from the inn, or take a walking historical tour through town.

At Spa Villagio, the Viva La Diva Girlfriends Getaway includes time to relax in a private spa suite, complete with an infinity soaking tub and facial and body treatments. VILLAGIO.COM

TOP AND RIGHT: SILVERADO RESORT AND SPA; BOTTOM LEFT: THE VINTAGE ESTATE IN YOUNTVILLE, NAPA VALLEY, CALIF.

BY A L E X A R O G E R S

2

Girlfriend

Getaways

Cowgirl Fantasies OUT WEST

THE HOME RANCH

For women who love horses or draw strength and inspiration from nature, here’s a chance to saddle up and reconnect in spectacular settings.

The all-inclusive Yoga and Horseback Riding Retreat offered by The Home Ranch in Clark, Colo., gives women of all ages and abilities the opportunity to focus on their health and wellness while enjoying a more meaningful riding experience.

The retreat in the beautiful Elk River Valley splits time on horseback with yoga sessions on the mat. The aim is a calmer and more balanced you, with an emphasis on benefits to the equestrian. Communal dinners provide an opportunity to share your stories.

HOMERANCH.COM

TOP AND MIDDLE RIGHT: NANCY WILHELMS; TRIPLE CREEK RANCH, DARBY, MONT.

TRIPLE CREEK RANCH In the spectacular mountains of Montana, Triple Creek Ranch is out to unleash your inner cowgirl on the Women’s Rocky Mountain Rendezvous. Whether you want to round up calves, pan for Montana sapphires or hike the scenic Rockies, the ranch offers a variety of activities to engage you during the day and luxurious accommodations and meals to look forward to at night.

Triple Creek also holds a fundraising event exclusively for women — “100 Klicks for Chicks.” Riders cover 100 kilometers, or 62 miles, over four days in support of Summit for Parkinson’s, a nonprofit that raises money and community awareness (Triple Creek Ranch donates $1 for every mile ridden). You’ll return to the ranch each evening for gourmet food and drinks.

TRIPLECREEKRANCH.COM

The Home Ranch, top and middle right, provides opportunities to focus on both your yoga and horseback riding skills in a beautiful setting in Colorado. At the Triple Creek Ranch in Montana, riding during the day, above, ends with fine dining at night, middle left. Triple Creek also sponsors a fundraising event on horseback.

43

Girlfriend

Getaways

3

Foodie Trip

A S OUTH E R N-S TY L E

If “girl time” to you means catching up over dinner and drinks, Charleston, S.C., is your kind of town.

Zero George Street, a contemporary boutique hotel tucked away in a classic Charleston private courtyard garden, offers twice-weekly cooking classes for hotel guests and visitors.

In the circa-1804 restored kitchen carriage house, you and your friends can watch and interact with the chefs, including award-winning chef Vinson Petrillo, as a multicourse meal is prepared for you. Take notes, ask questions and pick up culinary tips (along with a dessert recipe) to try at home. Meals focus on locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. Classes are offered Mondays and Saturdays.

ZEROGEORGE.COM

CHARLESTON CULINARY TOURS

Foodies can find all kinds of satisfying destinations in Charleston, S.C., from the dining experience (and mint juleps!) at the Zero George Street boutique hotel, above, which also invites guests into its kitchen for cooking classes, to Charleston Culinary Tours, which can arrange a variety of food and drink excursions in the city for you and your friends.

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BEST YEARS I FALL / WINTER 2015

Charleston Culinary Tours runs six different food and drink outings that showcase the city’s quaint charm and yummy flavors.

Most famous is its Downtown Culinary Tour, which explores the historic downtown area and stops at several restaurants for a taste of the city’s more traditional dishes, such as shrimp and grits and she-crab soup. Two drink-based tours turn the spotlight on specialty cocktails and Charleston’s micro distilleries. Tours sell out, so tickets must be purchased in advance.

CHARLESTONCULINARYTOURS.COM

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: KT MERRY PHOTOGRAPHY; CHARLESTON CULINARY TOURS; CHRISTOPHER SHANE; CORBIN GURKIN PHOTOGRAPHY

ZERO GEORGE STREET

KT MERRY PHOTOGRAPHY

Zero George Street’s housemade burrata composition features early summer roots, heirloom tomatoes and garden herbs.

45

Girlfriend

Getaways

PLAN A BEACH GETAWAY Lynn Atchison, CFO for the vacation rental website HomeAway.com, offers the following advice:

DELAWARE COAST

Chilling Out ON

DELAWARE BEACHES 46

BEST YEARS I FALL / WINTER 2015

For a beach vacation away from the hotel scene, the Delaware coast, wellknown for its seaside charms and attractions, provides tons of attractive rental options.

Situated along Delaware’s southern coast, each town, from Rehoboth Beach to Fenwick Island, has its own character — you can be as active, or as lazy, as you want. Both Rehoboth Beach and Bethany Beach made TripAdvisor’s 2015 list of Vacation Rental Picks: 10 East Coast Beaches Making a Splash.

VISITDELAWARE.COM

DISCUSS AS A GROUP whether it’s more important to be closer to the beach and outdoor activities in areas such as South Bethany and Fenwick Island or more central to restaurants and shopping in towns such as Rehoboth Beach.

SPACE MATTERS now that you’re a grown-up — so no more pullout sofa! Look for homes with enough bedrooms and bathrooms.

READ REVIEWS and correspond with the homeowner about payment options and any items you should bring, such as towels and cookware.

HOMEAWAY.COM

HOMEAWAY.COM

HomeAway.com offers a variety of options with amenities if you and your friends want to rent a vacation home and plan a getaway in one of Delaware’s beach towns.

START YOUR SEARCH soon.

“The really great properties get booked up pretty early.”

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BEST YEARS I FALL / WINTER 2015

HALLMARK CHANNEL/CROWN MEDIA

Andie MacDowell plays Olivia Lockhart, a municipal court judge in the popular Hallmark Channel series Cedar Cove.

Andie

MacDowell

L.A., here she comes!

Beauty icon, actress and empty nester begins a new chapter in her life.

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A

BY MARY HELEN BERG

ndie MacDowell tucks into the sofa facing the stone fireplace of her Montana ranch and cradles a cup of coffee. On this summer morning, the actress and longtime cover girl really needs her caffeine. She spent a restless night, her mind whirling over what she should leave behind as she anticipates a big move.

After years of flirting with Los Angeles real estate, MacDowell, 57, has committed to a three-bedroom, Spanish-style home in the city’s hills. She’s been sorting through family photos, cherry-picking the right ones to pack.

“This is what happens at this time of your life I think for a lot of us. We downsize, right?” she asks in her gentle Southern drawl.

MacDowell (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Groundhog Day) laughs easily for someone about to upend her life as she describes the transition that will scale down her digs but

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BEST YEARS I FALL / WINTER 2015

Making a name for herself as an actress in Sex, Lies, and Videotape, bottom right, Andie MacDowell has gone on to star in Hallmark Channel’s Cedar Cove, le and top, with Dylan Neal, and recently appeared in Magic Mike XXL (she’s shown at the Hollywood movie premiere in June).

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM RIGHT: MIRAMAX; CEDAR COVE PHOTOS: HALLMARK CHANNEL/CROWN MEDIA; KEVIN WINTER/GETTY IMAGES

ANDIE • MACDOWELL

hopefully expand her career. For years, MacDowell shielded her personal life by living away from Hollywood. Now that her three children are grown, however, she intends to be closer to the town to nurture new professional goals.

JASON MERRITT/GETTY IMAGES; DIMITRIOS KAMBOURIS/GETTY IMAGES

“I am looking forward to making better connections with people in my business, and at the same time, I have two daughters who are in the business,” says MacDowell. “I think it’s a really natural time for me to embrace the world that I work in.”

The distance from L.A. hasn’t seemed to hurt her career. She’s earned three Golden Globe nominations and next year will celebrate 30 years as a spokesmodel for L’Oreal.

The beauty icon’s 1989 role in Sex, Lies, and Videotape made her the “Surprise Star of the Year’s Hottest Movie,” according to Rolling Stone magazine. She recently wrapped a third season as proper Judge Olivia Lockhart in Cedar Cove, a popular Hallmark Channel series, and stunned in a brief but memorable turn as naughty Nancy Davidson in this summer’s Magic Mike XXL. “Look at you,” MacDowell sighs to one of the male strippers in Magic Mike XXL. She strokes his massive biceps in admiration and murmurs “damn,” making it sound like a sensual “da-YUM.” Making Magic Mike XXL was a “blast,” MacDowell says, and crosses fingers that Cedar Cove will continue to thrive in a fourth season. She’s also linked to another potential Hallmark project — a movie based on The Beach House, a novel by best-selling author Mary Alice Monroe — in both starring and producing roles.

But she concedes that finding such rewarding roles at 57 is “an accomplishment.”

“I am definitely a grownup,” she says. “I am mature, so I have to look for mature roles and there’s not a huge amount of them. But I did manage to find two great ones.”

Despite her insider credentials, MacDowell carefully chose to raise her three “very independent” children — Justin, 28; Rainey, 25; and Margaret, 20 — far from Hollywood’s telephoto lens in suburban North Carolina and on the family’s 3,000-acre Montana ranch.

“I didn’t avoid Los Angeles because I thought it was a horrible place,” she explains.

“But I did want my children to have what I perceived was a more sort of normal childhood. I didn’t want my business to be the main focus of what we were doing in our lives — and it wasn’t.”

But like many empty nesters, as her children left home, MacDowell began to feel isolated in the family’s spacious Tudor home in Asheville, N.C. She sold it a few years ago and has since bounced between the ranch and a couple of California beach towns.

“Now, after all the trouble I went through to make my business not (my kids’) business, now they’re in my business,” she says, laughing.

Her daughters not only followed her into the spotlight, they’re now familiar enough with L.A. that they helped choose her new neighborhood. Rainey, an actress and country music artist, and Margaret, an actress (The Leftovers), recommended a community with canyon views where MacDowell can find some of her favorite things: hiking trails and frozen yogurt within walking distance.

Residing in Hollywood’s hub should make it easier to explore possibilities on the other side of the camera, such as hands-on executive producing — and perhaps finding a writing partner.

Andie MacDowell’s daughters, Rainey Qualley, top, and Margaret Qualley, are actresses in their own right who helped their mom find her new neighborhood in Los Angeles.

51

ANDIE

•

MACDOWELL

Once the kids were grown, Andie MacDowell sold her Biltmore Forest, N.C., home and looked toward a base on the West Coast.

“I have great stories to tell,” MacDowell says. “I think I have wonderful creative ideas, and if I’m in L.A., I may have the opportunity to bring them to fruition, but I can’t make them happen sitting in this cabin in Montana!”

But she’ll always return to the cabin and the wilderness surrounding it — they’re in her heart, she says. She recently joined the board of the National Forest Foundation, a very personal cause.

“My dad had his degree in forestry,” she says. “I grew up in the woods. I grew up appreciating trees. I grow trees. So, that’s something that’s a really natural fit for me and I don’t think that’s ever going to go away.”

Amid talk of packing and picking out new furniture, she hints that she’s ready for another change. Twice divorced, MacDowell took a break from relationships during the past few years. But the door to dating may be opening — just a crack.

“I had a bad experience and really needed to take care of myself and get to know me, really well,” she says. “And I’ve done that. And now I would like to make friends with men. I want men in my life.”

But first things first, she says.

“I have to work out. I want to focus on my business. I want to focus on my children. I want to focus on my home. I’m a real nester. I love having the correct nest.”

And sometimes that means she sacrifices a night’s sleep pondering which family photos and treasures will transform her new house into a home.

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BEST YEARS I FALL / WINTER 2015

“People want to have an easy fix in life. It’s like, ‘Oh, if I went and did this treatment or pulled this, or tucked this, or whatever.’ But I think honestly, it really comes down to the basics in life.

If you take good care of yourself, that’s the best way to get older.

You have to do that work. You really do.”

“You have to make an effort to put the right things in your body and do exercise and you really have to, really have to watch, what goes on in your head. I say that all the time in interviews, and so many younger girls, they look at me. They just don’t get it.”

JOHN FLETCHER/THE (ASHEVILLE, N.C.) CITIZEN-TIMES; ILLUSTRATIONS BY THINKSTOCK

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Living the Good Life

BY DEBBIE SWANSON

R

EXPLOREASHEVILLE.COM

etirement opens up a whole new world of possibilities, and it’s never too early to start picturing a new home that caters to your hobbies, interests and lifestyle. From vibrant college towns to cities with a view, here are popular options to consider.

Asheville, N.C.

The Blue Ridge Mountains are practically in your backyard.

Living the Good Life

THE HUGE DRAW OF SMALLTOWN LIFE

Out on the water in Bella Vista, Ark.

Bella Vista, Ark.

H

ome to seven golf courses and seven private lakes, scenic Bella Vista in the Ozark Mountains boasts attractions that easily characterize a great vacation getaway.

“The saying is, you cannot live here and be bored,” says Xyta Lucas,

who relocated to the area from Colorado Springs, Colo., in 1995 when her husband, Jim, retired. With the nearest lake a mere mile from their home, Jim’s day often begins with fishing.

Golfing, which is popular in Bella Vista, is a more social pursuit for the couple: “We both play,

BONUS! Drive a half-hour south to Arvest Ballpark in Springdale, Ark., and root for the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, a Double-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals.

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BEST YEARS I FALL / WINTER 2015

usually twice a week, at least 10 months of the year,” says Xyta.

Originally established as a resort and retirement destination, incorporation in 2006 has resulted in a more age-diverse demographic, explains Cassi Lapp, the city’s communications manager.

But Bella Vista holds true to its small-town origins; commercial development remains minimal, and independent eateries edge out chain restaurants.

Hikers of all abilities enjoy the Tanyard Creek Nature Trail that leads to

a scenic waterfall. Local dogs (and their humans) gather at Loch Lomond Recreation Complex’s dog park.

The community — which has appeared on various “best places to retire” lists — is home to a host of local clubs and organizations, including an active garden club.

Xyta gives history presentations around town as a volunteer with the Bella Vista Museum.

And “there are many churches, which offer a variety of social activities and service opportunities,” she adds.

JAN HALGRIM; JAMIE SQUIRE/GETTY IMAGES

Population: 27,688

Traverse City, Mich.

Dining in Traverse City restaurants.

E

TRAVERSE CITY TOURISM (TRAVERSECITY.COM); THINKSTOCK

Cherry blossoms in bloom in Traverse City.

Outdoor recreation on Traverse City waters.

Population: 15,042

ach season offers something new in Traverse City, a popular vacation spot and fishing destination on the shores of Grand Traverse Bay (near the little-finger tip of Michigan’s mitten) that’s also been earning attention as a highly desirable destination for retirees.

From specialty cruises to water sports to flyfishing on the Boardman River, activities abound throughout the year.

When chillier temperatures arrive, so do the leaf peepers — TripAdvisor has named the city one of the top 10 destinations for fall foliage.

The area also attracts wine enthusiasts — there are more than 40 wineries in the region.

Winter welcomes snowshoers and crosscountry skiers. “On both the Old Mission and Leelanau peninsulas, we’ve snowshoed between wineries, hard-cider producers and microbrew pubs,” says Bob Freimuth, of Frankenmuth, Mich., who, with his wife, Aline, have been regular visitors

to the area for 36 years and have targeted it for retirement.

The TART Trails organization maintains year-round pedestrian trails, including a groomed trail for winter sports.

If you’re a foodie, “within a 10-block area you’ll find brew pubs, French, Italian, pizza places, quaint cafés,” says Ken Weaver, broker and owner of Traverse North Realty.

Residents display community pride in annual events. The Traverse City Film Festival shows movies all over town every summer at both outdoor and indoor venues, says Weaver, and everyone comes out for the National Cherry Festival in July to celebrate the area’s cherry production.

“I’ve stood with 3,000-plus volunteers who work together to host the two festivals,” says retiree Debbie May, who relocated from Ohio, adding that the Newcomers Club of Grand Traverse helped her make new friends and connections when she arrived in 2013.

BONUS! Treat yourself to all kinds of cherry pie (and other goodies) at the famous Grand Traverse Pie Company, which got its start in Traverse City.

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Living the Good Life

Athens, Ga. ome to The University of Georgia (go, Bulldogs!), the city of Athens also scores accolades for all it has to offer retirees.

The arts scene, restaurants, educational opportunities and sporting events that spring up on and around college campuses can be big draws for residents who are pleasantly surprised to find that they now have more time on their hands.

After examining more than 20 potential retirement destinations, Dave and Margaret Collins found what they were looking for in Athens. The cultural offerings were a big factor, the couple agree.

The Georgia Museum of Art, The Classic Center theater (which features touring productions of Broadway shows) and the Athens Symphony offer a full calendar of performances.

The music and arts festival known as AthFest is a summer tradition.

Still settling into the region after retiring and leaving Texas, the Collinses have made a

58

habit of visiting Ciné, an independent cinema-café featuring first-run, indie and culturally diverse films — and even a lunchtime yoga class.

The presence of the university also results in a community that combines intellectual pursuits with Southern hospitality. “You could go to a dinner party, and everyone is an expert on something,” says Joe Polaneczky, a Realtor with Keller Williams Greater Athens.

Contributing to that pursuit of knowledge is the UGA affiliate of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), which offers a wide range of classes for the 50-plus crowd, including beekeeping, songwriting and Supreme Court decisions.

Plenty of dining options have evolved in Athens.

And they’re diverse, says Polaneczky, from the 5&10 with an award-winning chef offering fresh takes on Southern food to restaurants serving Ethiopian and Argentinian fare.

The Collinses feel the hospitality: “We know several neighbors, and we don’t even have our house built yet.”

BEST YEARS I FALL / WINTER 2015

HIGH MARKS FOR COLLEGE TOWNS University of Georgia’s Sanford Stadium.

BONUS! Root for the Bulldogs at UGA’s enormous Sanford Stadium (capacity 92,746) for football games and the Stegeman Coliseum for basketball.

THINKSTOCK; SCOTT CUNNINGHAM/GETTY IMAGES; DALE ZANINE/USA TODAY SPORTS

H

Population: 119,648

Downtown Athens, Ga., home of the University of Georgia.

Biking in Fort Collins, Colo.

Fort Collins, Colo.

TIM O’HARA; ODELL BREWING CO.; THINKSTOCK

U

Odell Brewing Co. in Fort Collins, Colo.

BONUS! Love beer? Fort Collins is home to several microbreweries, and tops the state in the production of craft beer. The Colorado Brewers’ Festival is a summer tradition.

Population: 156,480

nspoiled views and open spaces, the lively vibe of a college town, lots of sunshine and minimal crowds — it’s no surprise Fort Collins has repeatedly earned mention as one of the best places to live, and retire, in the U.S. “You can get anywhere in town without going on a major street,” says Jeffrey Martin, a broker associate/ partner in the Mulberry office of The Group Inc. Real Estate. “The city is divided into grids, each with a community park.

Every home is within a one-eighth mile to some type of open space.”

“It’s a laid-back, friendly area, with enough of the things people need, without the crowds or traffic,” adds Kathleen Mahoney-Norris, who relocated from Alabama.

A retired educator,

Mahoney-Norris says Colorado State University was a draw for her. The university attracts national speakers and artists, and its local OLLI offers non-credit courses and field trips for adults 50 and over. (For football fans, the CSU Rams play at Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium.)

Tucked against the foothills of the Rocky Mountains north of Denver, the city’s terrain is relatively flat. Biking in the city is big. In addition to 36 miles of paved, multiuse trails, cyclists have access to 280 miles of wide, scenic bike lanes and can rent bikes from the Fort Collins Bike Library.

The city’s historic downtown district and plenty of nearby outdoor recreation venues (such as cross-country skiing at Roosevelt National Forest) offer even more to do.

59

Living the Good Life

THE GREAT OUTDOORS AT ITS BEST

The Grove Arcade in Asheville, N.C.

Asheville, N.C.

S

cenery buffs and nature enthusiasts will find plenty of eye candy in Asheville, which is ideally located near both the Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Take a drive along the parkway — a 469-mile highway through Virginia

and North Carolina that’s considered one of the most scenic in America — or spend time in the national park, which covers more than 800 square miles of mountains, forests and streams.

“The natural beauty is spectacular, and it changes with the seasons,” says Barry Silverstein,

BONUS! A haven for foodies, Asheville has an abundance of restaurants and sidewalk cafés, and is part of a thriving farm-to-table movement.

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BEST YEARS I FALL / WINTER 2015

who moved with his wife, Sharon Wood, to Asheville from Massachusetts.

The spectacular backdrop inspires creativity in both the amateur photographer and professional artist.

“There’s a vibrant and eclectic downtown, and a rich culture of arts, music and festivals,” says Marla Tambellini of the Asheville Convention and Visitors Bureau. The River Arts District and the Folk Art Center offer shopping, open studios and demonstrations.

At the 8,000-acre Biltmore Estate, built by

George Vanderbilt in 1895, picnicking, outdoor shows, and winery and garden tours are regular events.

The United Way lists Asheville’s volunteer rate above the national average. “It’s a civic-minded community,” Silverstein says. He and Wood, former owners of a dog-grooming service, volunteer at the Asheville Humane Society.

Prior to moving to the city, Silverstein and Wood also attended a popular retirement strategies seminar at the University of North Carolina Asheville’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.

EXPLOREASHEVILLE.COM; THINKSTOCK

Population: 87,882

Hit Play.

Whether you’re in the mood for musical theatre or mainstage drama, dance performances or art house films, Gainesville has just the ticket.

Visit the renowned Hippodrome State Theatre or make reservations at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts for award-winning performances year round. Combine your theatre tickets with

A Great Little Getaway...

fine dining and an overnight stay for a first-class

Visit VisitGainesville.com/getaway for Gainesville Getaway Game Plans!

Many choices, one decision—Visit Gainesville.

evening worthy of a standing ovation.

Living the Good Life

Cape Harbour in Cape Coral, Fla.

Cape Coral, Fla. Population: 169,854

A

s close to paradise as any water enthusiast can hope for, Cape Coral is surrounded by waterways that link to the Gulf of Mexico; one of its borders is actually the Caloosahatchee River.

“We have 400 miles of saltwater and freshwater canals, and numerous lakes within our 120 square miles,” says Connie Barron, the city’s public information director.

“Boating, fishing and water sports, and opportunities for waterfront living, are abundant.”

Located about two-thirds of the way down the panhandle just west of Fort Myers, Cape Coral earned a spot in Bankrate.com’s list of the top 10 best cities for retirement this year.

Jennie Phipps says she and her husband, Jim Thomas, were drawn to the waters of Cape Coral. Their home overlooks Charlotte

BONUS! Land-lubbers can also find plenty to do — the Tour de Cape is an annual bike ride and run, and city nature parks offer opportunities for walkers and bird-watchers.

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BEST YEARS I FALL / WINTER 2015

Harbor, where they tie up their boat and where there are abundant fishing opportunities, which Jim enjoys.

Docking their boat — which friends like to call “The Lunch Boat” — at local restaurants is a favorite pastime for the couple.

“We’re particularly fond of going to Boca Grande to eat lunch at The Pink Elephant or Miller’s Dockside, then we wander around the little town and finish off the day with ice cream at The Loose Caboose, where the dog can join us,” says Phipps.

“We rarely have a day without sunshine,” adds Barron; even in the rainy season, showers serve as a brief interruption.

If a larger city, and all it has to offer, sounds appealing, one option to consider is a perennial favorite — Phoenix.

With a population of 1.5 million, it’s a desert city that offers a little of everything served with a side order of abundant sunshine and a southwestern flair.

Boosted by its weather and a high well-being score, the Phoenix/Mesa metropolitan area took the No. 1 spot in Bankrate.com’s 2015 ranking of the best places in the country for retirement.

“We have resort-type living year-round,” says Dave DeNure of ARC Styles venture real estate investment firm.

Tennis and golfing are readily available.

Greater Phoenix encompasses many neighborhoods and towns, each with its own personality. California native Bob Gooding enjoys Sun City because it’s both affordable and active. “If you don’t have anything to do, it’s your own fault,” he says.

Phoenix is also one of the few U.S. cities to be represented in each of the four major sports.

Population figures for all cities: U.S. Census Bureau 2014 Population Estimates

CITY OF CAPE CORAL; THINKSTOCK

THE GREAT OUTDOORS AT ITS BEST

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You can still take the party outside with recipes that celebrate the season

PHOTO CREDIT

HE DAYS ARE GETTING COOLER and the leaves are turning; it’s the perfect time to plan a picnic or host an outdoor gathering! For surprisingly easy and flavorful dishes, we asked celebrity chefs to share advice and recipes to help you make delicious use of seasonal produce. So grab a bottle of wine (or apple cider), pack a few accessories and enjoy Mother Nature in all her glory.

STORY & WINE PAIRINGS KATIE KELLY BELL PHOTOGRAPHY DOUG KAPUSTIN

PHOTO CREDIT

FOOD STYLING DIANA JEFFRA

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BEST YEARS I FALL / WINTER 2015

N

o two apple varieties squash repertoire. Instead are created equal, of breezing past those so if you’re planning unwieldy looking acorn an apple dish, follow the and butternut squash in advice of Nancy Fuller, the produce section, Fuller host of Food Network’s encourages home cooks to Farmhouse Rules. get in the habit of preparing “Before you start cooking, it weekly. taste for texture first,” “It’s really much easier Fuller says. “Is than anyone this apple soft Nancy Fuller thinks,” she or hard, sweet notes. “Now is FOOD or sour? Use the really the time to NETWORK taste profile to eat them. Root decide how you vegetables and best want to use the fruit.” squashes such as acorn and For a quick treat using butternut are as smooth either apples or pears, “slice as silk and packed with and cook them down and wonderful flavor.” put them in a Foley Food Fuller admits her favorite Mill,” she says. “They will dish, roasted acorn squash, create the most naturally is shamefully easy. “I just delicious applesauce. You roast them whole in the don’t need to add anything oven at 350 degrees for an to it, no added sugar, nothhour or so. They are already ing. I make big batches and portioned out and so very then just freeze it all.” pretty.” Be sure to poke Fuller, also the author some holes in the squash of Farmhouse Rules: Simple, with a knife to let steam Seasonal Meals for the Whole out. When done, just cut in Family (available Oct. half, remove seeds and top 13), is a fan of squash with your favorites, such and says autumn is the as butter and salt, brown ideal time to expand your sugar or maple syrup.

TOM HOPKINS; ANDREW CICCARELLI

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orld-renowned then top with pistachios French chef and cranberries, which Jacques Pépin, add sweetness and more who is preparing to air his texture (see page 68). final cooking series on PBS Even the lowly turnip this fall, loves the harvest becomes something special season — Thanksgiving in in Pépin’s hands. “I love particular. “It is a holiday,” the white turnips prepared says Pépin, “purely about with garlic and mashed like the pleasure of being a potato.” around the table eating.”

He uses traditional For Pépin, autumn is a pickling to preserve the time to celebrate the simple essential flavors of fall. vegetables, especially any His pickled onion dish is member of the versatile one of his personal faves cabbage family, such as — it “keeps for up to three Brussels sprouts. months in the fridge and His one cacan dress up so veat: “Be sure to Jacques Pépin many things, cook cabbages from burgers to HEART & SOUL properly and sandwiches.” go easy on the Pépin is water. If you leave them in a decorated chef and the cooking water, the final cookbook author who taste will be too strong. has hosted a number of I cook briefly in water, public television shows on quickly remove and then cooking and food. His final toss in a skillet or the oven series, Jacques Pépin: Heart to finish.” & Soul, airs on KQED (kqed.

He prefers to serve red org). Check local PBS listings cabbage raw, shredding it for airtimes in your area. on a mandoline for ideal His new book, Jacques Pépin: texture. Toss with dressing, Heart & Soul in the Kitchen, let it soften for an hour, goes on sale in October.

“During autumn, fall chili always comes to mind.

Naturally, we look for a way to incorporate pumpkin. We just roast and cook the pumpkin down to add texture and some sweet complexity to the chili.”

— Brent Ridge, Beekman 1802

Our pictureperfect picnic took place at Paradise Springs Winery in Clifton, Va., maker of highly rated wines, including a 2013 chardonnay aged in French oak, a 2014 viognier aged in stainless steel and a 2014 cabernet franc aged in French and American oak.

The tasting room is open daily, and the gorgeous outdoor setting is available for guest picnics. paradisesprings winery.com

RETT PEEK

F

ormer city-boysturned-farmers who starred on the Cooking Channel’s The Fabulous Beekman Boys, Josh KilmerPurcell and Brent Ridge relish the slower pace of autumn.

Managing their Beekman 1802 Farm in Sharon Springs, N.Y., keeps them running all summer long. Ridge savors the chance to finally “start turning inside the home and spend more time cooking because so much of spring and summer is focused on the outdoors.”

When Ridge and KilmerPurcell begin harvesting, “we start with recipes we know and work on how the current harvest can fold into that traditional dish,” Ridge

says. “During autumn, fall chili always comes to mind.

Naturally, we look for a way to incorporate pumpkin. We just roast and cook the pumpkin

Brent Ridge & Josh Kilmer-Purcell BEEKMAN 1802

down to add texture and some sweet complexity to the chili.”

And don’t ignore the versatility of turnips, Ridge says. “You can puree and add it to creamed potatoes to give extra bite. They are also great roasted and in stews.”

For an easy side dish, roast parsnips and drizzle with

balsamic vinegar, he says.

The pear might be the season’s true workhorse — it easily gets double billing as a savory and a sweet ingredient.

“The one thing we love to do with pears is to toss them on the grill — on medium heat a minute or two a side,” Ridge says, noting they’ll pair nicely with meat dishes. Or, “put some bourbon on them and serve with ice cream for an easy dessert.”

Ridge and Kilmer-Purcell, who won CBS’ The Amazing Race in 2012, are the authors of several Beekman 1802 cookbooks, run an online mercantile and blog about it all on their website, beekman1802.com.

Additional recipes are featured on our harvest table: • Quick Pickled Red Onions and Radishes • Sliced Tomato Gratin Both from Jacques Pépin: Heart & Soul in the Kitchen (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt).

• Root Vegetable One-Dish by Nancy Fuller, from Farmhouse Rules (Grand Central Life & Style).

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RED CABBAGE, PISTACHIO & CRANBERRY SALAD WITH BLUE CHEESE WINE PAIRING The blue cheese topping makes this a slam-dunk match for a sweet wine with opulent stone fruit notes.

Try a 2011 Chateau Gravas Sauternes, France. $35

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BEST YEARS I FALL / WINTER 2015

WINE PAIRING

JACQUES PÉPIN

Pumpkin adds a sweet note, making it a nice match for the dark blackberry, slightly jammy notes of malbec.

Try 2012 Clos de los Siete, Argentina. $14

HEART & SOUL IN THE KITCHEN HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT

INGREDIENTS 4 SERVINGS

1½ pounds red cabbage (1 small to medium head), wilted leaves and big ribs removed and discarded (about 1 pound trimmed) ½ cup pistachio nuts ½ cup dried cranberries 1½ tsp. salt 1 tsp. Tabasco sauce 1 T. cider vinegar 2 T. peanut oil 1 T. walnut oil 6 T. crumbled blue cheese, such as Stilton or Roquefort 3 T. chopped fresh chives

DIRECTIONS Shred the cabbage on a mandoline or cut it into thin strips with a sharp knife.

Transfer to a bowl and add the pistachios, cranberries, salt, Tabasco, vinegar and both oils. Mix well and let marinate for about 1 hour.

Divide the salad among four plates.

Sprinkle with the blue cheese and chives and serve.

INGREDIENTS 4-6 SERVINGS

3 T. extra-virgin olive oil

HARVESTBEEF CHILI WITH PUMPKIN SQUASH JOSH KILMER-PURCELL, BRENT RIDGE WITH SANDY GLUCK THE BEEKMAN 1802 HEIRLOOM COOKBOOK STERLING EPICURE

DIRECTIONS Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Heat the oil over medium heat in a 5- or 6-quart Dutch oven. Dredge the meat in the flour, shaking off the excess. Working in batches (this is so the meat browns, rather than steams), add the beef and cook until browned all over, about 7 minutes. As you work, transfer the meat to a bowl.

Add the garlic, onions and bell peppers and stir to coat. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add ¼ cup water and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are tender, about 7 minutes.

Stir in the coriander, cocoa powder, cumin, paprika and ancho chile powder. Return the meat to the pan and stir until well coated.

Stir in 1½ cups water, the pumpkin, tomato paste and salt. Bring to a boil. Cover and transfer to the oven. Bake until the meat is tender, 1 hour 30 minutes.

Stir in the beans, return to the oven and bake for 10 more minutes.

1¼ pounds wellmarbled beef chuck, cut into 1-inch chunks ¼ cup all-purpose flour 3 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled 1 large onion, diced 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch chunks 1½ tsp. ground coriander 1 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder 1 tsp. ground cumin 1 tsp. paprika ½ tsp. ancho chile powder 1¾ cups water 1½ pounds pumpkin (or other winter squash, such as kabocha), peeled, seeded and cut into 1-inch chunks 2 T. tomato paste 1½ tsp. salt 1¾ cups cooked pinto beans (one 15-ounce can, rinsed) 69

INGREDIENTS MAKES 8

For the dough: 1½ cups all-purpose flour (spooned into cup and leveled off), plus more for rolling 2 tsp. sugar ¼ tsp. salt 8 T. (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into bits ½ cup Greek yogurt (2% or higher) For the filling: 1 T. olive oil 1 T. unsalted butter 2 cups chopped onions 1 russet baking potato (about 10 ounces), peeled and thinly sliced

WINE PAIRING

2 T. plain whole-milk Greek yogurt

Sweet notes in the dish will pair well with the rustic, casual personality and strawberry-cherry notes in an Italian dolcetto, a wine grape from Italy’s Piedmont region. Try 2013 Prunotto Dolcetto d’Alba. $14

¾ tsp. coarse kosher salt 1 large egg 1 T. water

DIRECTIONS To make the dough: In a food processor, pulse the flour, sugar and salt. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the yogurt and pulse just until combined (the dough should hold together when pinched between your fingers).

Divide the dough into quarters, wrap each in plastic wrap and flatten to rectangles. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to a day. For longer storage, freeze up to three months.

To make the filling: In a large skillet, heat the oil and butter over mediumlow heat. Add the onions and cook for 25 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden brown and very tender.

Meanwhile, in a small saucepan of boiling salted water, cook the potato for 10 minutes, or until tender. Drain well, transfer to a bowl and mash with a potato masher.

Stir the onions, yogurt and salt into the mashed potatoes.

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Working with one piece of dough at a

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BEST YEARS I FALL / WINTER 2015

CARAMELIZED ONION & POTATO HAND-PIES JOSH KILMER-PURCELL, BRENT RIDGE AND SANDY GLUCK THE BEEKMAN 1802 HEIRLOOM VEGETABLE COOKBOOK RODALE BOOKS

time on a lightly floured work surface, roll the dough to a 5x12-inch rectangle.

Halve the dough crosswise to make two 5- to 6-inch rectangles. With a short end facing you, place ¼ cup of the potato filling on the bottom half, leaving a ½-inch border.

Brush the border with water, fold the top over and pinch to seal. Repeat with

the remaining dough and filling. Place on the baking sheet and make several slashes in the tops of the hand pies.

In a small bowl, beat together the egg and water. Brush the tops of the hand pies with the egg wash. Bake for 35 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and crisp. Transfer to a wire rack to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

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ALWAYS APPROPRIATE APPLE CAKE

NANCY FULLER FARMHOUSE RULES GRAND CENTRAL LIFE AND STYLE

INGREDIENTS 8 SERVINGS

1 T. very soft unsalted butter 3 small Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cored and cut into small chunks ¼ cup lightly packed light brown sugar ½ cup chopped toasted pecans 2 tsp. ground cinnamon Grated zest and juice of 1 medium orange (about 1 T. zest and ½ cup juice)

WINE PAIRING

3 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for the pan)

A late-harvest white is a fabulous choice — a wine with honeyed nectar notes, spice, rich body and nice acidity. Spice and honey notes will nicely mirror the cake.

Try 2012 Dr. Loosen Riesling Eiswein, Mosel, Germany. $35

1 T. baking powder ½ tsp. ground allspice ½ tsp. ground ginger ¼ tsp. freshly grated nutmeg ¼ tsp. fine salt 4 large eggs 1 cup vegetable oil 1¾ cups granulated sugar 1 tsp. vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Use the softened butter to thoroughly coat a 12-cup Bundt pan and then coat with flour, tapping out the excess.

In a large bowl, toss the apples with the brown sugar, pecans, 1 tsp. of the cinnamon and half of the orange juice. Let it sit while you mix the batter.

72

Sift the remaining 1 tsp. cinnamon, the flour, baking powder, allspice, ginger, nutmeg and salt onto a piece of parchment paper.

In a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the eggs, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, vanilla and orange zest and remaining juice. Beat on medium speed until smooth. Pour in the

BEST YEARS I FALL / WINTER 2015

sifted dry ingredients and mix on low just to blend.

Spread enough batter to coat the bottom of the Bundt pan. Spread a little less than half of the apples over the batter.

Top with half of the remaining batter. Top with the remaining apples, then spread the remaining cake

batter over the top.

Bake until a tester comes out almost clean, with just a crumb or two attached, 55 minutes to 1 hour. Cool on a rack for 10 minutes before inverting and unmolding the cake onto the rack to cool.

Wrapped in plastic, this cake keeps well for two or three days after baking.

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HEALTH

Enduring Hot Flashes How to turn down the heat no matter how long they last

BY NANCY MONSON

A

THINKSTOCK

s if it were possible, menopause has gotten even less attractive.

Research published this year in JAMA Internal Medicine found that hot flashes can last an average of 7.4 years — and some unlucky women, particularly those of African-American and Hispanic descent, can suffer for as long as 14 years.

HEALTH

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BEST YEARS I FALL / WINTER 2015

“Remember, menopause isn’t a disease. It’s a rite of passage and a stage of life. The symptoms are manageable and they subside for most people.”

— DR. ALYSSA DWECK, OBSTETRICIAN/GYNECOLOGIST, MT. KISCO, N.Y.

of hot flashes or night sweats. The sudden burst of heat can range from a mildly warm feeling in the head and neck area to a volcanic wave blasting like a furnace from the inside out.

Most flashes last between one and five minutes, and they usually come about three to four times a day, although some women have fewer and others have more.

“They’re unpredictable, and each woman has a different course,” says Dweck, who is also a practicing obstetrician/gynecologist in Mt. Kisco, N.Y. Unexpected symptoms — including nausea, tingling in the hands, itching, heart palpitations, lightheadedness, anxiety and a sense of dread — can accompany the flashes. And once the

flash passes, women may feel chilled.

So what’s behind a hot flash? Presumably, fluctuating levels of estrogen related to menopause set them off. But there also seems to be a dysfunction of the body’s temperature gauge, perhaps triggered by the waning estrogen levels, that makes women unable to tolerate even small changes in the body’s core temperature.

“There is no uniform way to treat hot flashes,” says Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, an obstetrician/gynecologist in private practice in Beverly Hills, Calif. “I might hit it out of the ballpark with the first treatment I recommend to a woman, but it might take four or five different products to find the right one for the next woman.”

THINKSTOCK

The research by the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN) also found that the earlier hot flashes begin, the longer they persist after menopause.

The results didn’t come as news to many women in midlife who already knew hot flashes could linger long past that last period. “Typically, we thought six months to a year was the range, and in rare cases, a couple of years,” says Dr. Alyssa Dweck, an associate clinical professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive medicine at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. “But the SWAN study showed us differently: The bottom line is that hot flashes can last a long time and can be really uncomfortable for some women, while others sail through menopause.”

Sailing was not in the cards for Ann Turner, now 61, of Rutland, Vt., whose symptoms began when she was 50. Hot flashes were mildly annoying during the day, but soon became intolerable at night. “I would wake up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat,” she recalls. Her physician assistant suggested estrogen, natural remedies or the antidepressant venlafaxine (Effexor). Turner chose the latter.

“It made my life so much better — and quickly, too,” Turner says. “Within a couple of weeks, the night sweats had almost stopped completely and I felt calmer.” She’s been on the antidepressant for 11 years. “Every once in a while I still get a hot flash, but it’s mild.”

Up to 80 percent of middle-aged women experience vasomotor symptoms, as doctors call them, in the form

Living the Cool Life THE FIGHT AGAINST THE HEAT THAT COMES WITH HOT FLASHES CAN REQUIRE A THREE-PRONGED APPROACH

1

2

3

MAKE CHANGES TO YOUR LIFESTYLE

TRY DIETARY AND HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS

ASK YOUR DOCTOR FOR MEDICATION TO REGULATE YOUR THERMOSTAT

Coping Strategies

Herbal Help

Non-Hormonal Medication Options

The first line of defense against hot flashes is to alter your environment. Try:

There are now a number of overthe-counter herbal supplements to manage hot flashes that don’t contain estrogen. Two daily supplements to consider are:

As a last resort, you may want to ask about medication.

Keeping the thermostat low and sleeping in a cool room.

Wearing layers so you can quickly shed extra clothing if a flash occurs.

Staying in close proximity to a fan or buying a portable one.

Sleeping on a cool-water pad for your pillow, or draping a “Frogg Togg,” an ultra-absorbent cooling towel, around your neck.

Avoiding triggers for hot flashes, such as caffeine, alcohol and cigarettes.

Shedding pounds if you’re overweight.

Getting regular exercise and mixing in stress-reducing practices such as yoga and meditation.

THINKSTOCK

Spritzing peppermint or rose oil spray (drops of essential oil mixed with distilled water) onto your face or the back of your neck.

Black cohosh. This herb is a popular natural remedy for menopause symptoms and has been used for over 50 years in Europe. Research suggests it works for some women but not for others. The North American Menopause Society recommends using it for a short period of time because it may be linked to liver damage. Minor side effects of black cohosh can include nausea, headache and a skin rash.

Chasteberry. The fruit of the chaste tree, chasteberry is thought to improve hormonal balance.

According to Dr. Suzanne GilbergLenz, an obstetrician/gynecologist who consults to the manufacturer, “It raises progesterone production, which can reduce hot flashes.”

(Progesterone is another hormone that works in harmony with estrogen; like estrogen, less of it is produced as women age.) Studies, again, have been mixed. As for side effects, some women may find the supplement causes an upset stomach, makes them dizzy or results in a skin rash.

Estrogen is still the best option for relieving menopausal symptoms — but many women don’t want to accept the associated risks of heart disease and breast cancer. Instead, talk to your provider about: Antidepressants. Paroxetine (Brisdelle) is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for hot flashes, reducing both the frequency and the severity. Side effects can include headache, fatigue and stomach upset. Another antidepressant, venlafaxine (Effexor), was found in one study to be almost as effective as estrogen.

An anti-seizure drug. Gabapentin (Neurontin) is typically prescribed to treat epilepsy, but studies have found it can also reduce the severity and frequency of hot flashes. Side effects can include dizziness and sleepiness.

A combination therapy. Duavee combines a low dose of estrogen and a selective estrogen receptor modulator, which prevents the uterine lining from thickening while taking estrogen. The duo has been shown to reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes and night sweats for some women.

77

HEALTH

The NEW Neighborhood Pharmacy High-tech services mean more options for your health care

D

rugstores have evolved since the days of filling prescriptions and selling aspirin. Today’s neighborhood pharmacy chains — such as CVS, Rite Aid and Walgreens — are taking on a bigger role by offering more comprehensive services to help consumers manage their health.

A ‘Minute’ for Your Health In June, CVS announced it was partnering with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

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BEST YEARS I FALL / WINTER 2015

to put a health information tool on CVS minuteclinic.com sites in order to provide recommendations on preventive health services based on age and gender. The HHS advisory tool is also available at cvs.com/myhealthfinder.

Many of the preventive services — including cholesterol and blood pressure checks, wellness screenings and vaccinations — are available at CVS MinuteClinics, the pharmacy’s walk-in medical clinics staffed by nurse practitioners and physician assistants who specialize in family care.

There are nearly 1,000 clinics in 31 states and the District of Columbia, says CVS spokesman Brent Burkhardt, adding that CVS expects to add 100 new clinics this fall, with plans calling for 1,500 clinics nationwide by 2017.

“MinuteClinic is open seven days a week, including weekday evenings, and no appointment is necessary,” Burkhardt says.

The clinics, which also treat minor injuries and illnesses, are an attractive option for consumers who have high insurance deductibles or who

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HEALTH Blood pressure screenings are among the health services available at CVS MinuteClinics, which are operating in 31 states so far. website on desktop and tablets.

Online customers can also talk to pharmacy professionals to obtain confidential and expert advice day or night through Walgreens’ live pharmacy chat, available through its mobile app or at walgreens.com/pharmacychat.

don’t have an established physician, Burkhardt says. “Approximately 50 percent of our customers don’t have a primary care physician.”

The MinuteClinic staff is also available to help patients with diabetes management, smoking cessation and weight-loss management.

An Easier Blood Test If you’ve ever put off getting a blood test because of big needles, Walgreens is offering an alternative in some stores. The pharmacy chain recently partnered with Theranos, a Palo Alto, Calif.-based company that is changing the way lab tests are conducted.

“Theranos gives consumers access to high-quality, less invasive and more affordable lab testing using blood samples as small as a single drop taken with a tiny finger stick or a micro-sample taken from traditional methods,” says Walgreens spokesman James Cohn. “Test results are often available in less than 24 hours (some are available within a matter of hours), which is typically much quicker than other labs, enabling faster diagnosis and better treatment.”

Theranos Wellness Centers are in 40 Walgreens stores in the Phoenix area and one location in Palo Alto. “We do have plans for a broader rollout; however, we are still in the very early stages of this program, and along with Theranos, we’re continuing to evaluate next steps,” Cohn says.

Tests offered by Theranos and prices are listed at theranos.com/test-menu.

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BEST YEARS I FALL / WINTER 2015

Walgreens also runs a telehealth program that’s already available in several states. In collaboration with telemedicine provider MDLIVE, the program offers round-the-clock remote access to a network of U.S. board-certified doctors in California, Michigan, Illinois, Washington and Colorado.

For acute conditions that aren’t emergencies and don’t require a physical exam, consumers can consult virtually with MDLIVE board-certified physicians (the fee is $49), who can e-prescribe medications if necessary.

The program is accessed through the Walgreens mobile app and Walgreens

RENEWALS MADE EASY!

Using an iOS or Android smartphone, download free apps for CVS, Rite Aid or Walgreens and scan your prescription barcode. You’ll get an alert via text, email or phone to let you know when it’s ready for pickup.

Relying on cloud-based telemedicine software, Rite Aid provides a high-tech consultation service in 25 of its Ohio pharmacies through its new walk-in HealthSpot kiosks.

“HealthSpot allows users to interact with nationally recognized providers in a private, 40-square-foot station using high-definition videoconferencing and interactive medical devices” such as a stethoscope, pulse oximeter and otoscope, says Kristin Kellum, spokeswoman for Rite Aid. “Customers ages 3 and older can be treated for minor health conditions, including cold and flu, rashes and skin conditions, earaches and seasonal allergies.”

The stations are staffed by trained wellness attendants. (Learn more at healthspot.net.)

Rite Aid also operates RediClinics in the greater Baltimore/Washington, D.C., region, Philadelphia and Seattle markets, and select cities in Texas.

“Clinic patients can be treated for non-urgent medical conditions and clinicians are able to write prescriptions when appropriate,” Kellum says.

“RediClinics also provide screenings, medical tests, immunizations and basic physical exams, as well as our weight/ lifestyle management program.” (Visit rediclinic.com/riteaid to learn more.)

For consumers 65 and older, Rite Aid offers wellness65+, a free rewards program that provides a pharmacist consultation, in addition to discounts. (Visit riteaid.com for more information.)

“Consumers can consult with pharmacists on medications, immunization needs and Medicare Part D questions,” Kellum says.

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CAREER & FINANCE

MOVING FORWARD

Dynamic businesswoman Sheila Johnson continues to lay plans for the future.

SecondAct? TryThird!

For BET co-founder Sheila Johnson, the best years are now

F

orget second acts. Sheila Johnson is on her third.

Seated in the cozy library of the Salamander, the luxury spa and resort she owns in Middleburg, Va., Johnson smiles as she recalls her two previous careers. As a young woman, she performed as a concert violinist and taught music lessons.

Then, with her husband at the time,

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BEST YEARS I FALL / WINTER 2015

Robert Johnson, she co-founded Black Entertainment Television (BET).

While that second act brought fame and fortune, this one, she says, brings happiness. “I’m happiest now in my third act. There’s not a day that goes by that I’m bored. Every day in the hospitality industry is different. …

Always highs and lows, but you work through them,” she says.

H. DARR BEISER

BY CHRISTINE NEFF

SALAMANDER RESORT & SPA; H. DARR BEISER

The Salamander Resort & Spa sits on 340 acres in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains about an hour’s drive from Washington, D.C.

Right now, Johnson is experiencing a high. Her company, Salamander Hotels & Resorts, is thriving — acquiring and investing in new properties and fast becoming a recognizable name in the luxury space. And personally, her life has never been better, she says.

“I’m in control of my life. I don’t have anybody telling me I can’t do that, or you shouldn’t do that. I have total control of my decision-making and my destiny. Very few people can say that,” she says.

After her marriage to Robert ended in 2002 (the couple have two children, Paige and Brett), she met and later wed Arlington County (Va.) Circuit Court

Judge William T. Newman Jr. She speaks highly of their relationship and the comfort it brings her.

“I have a husband who is so understanding. He knows what he married.

He goes, ‘Baby, I’ll be right here when you get back.’ He’s comfortable in his own skin and so supportive. I feel safe with him, I don’t have to worry about it.

And I think that’s such a great feeling. I never felt that in my life,” she says.

Being secure in her personal life has allowed her to stretch herself creatively at an age when some women consider slowing down.

Her passions now include the Washington, D.C., sports teams she has ownership in (the WNBA Mystics, the NBA Wizards and the NHL Capitals); film (she has produced several, including the hit Lee Daniels’ The Butler) and design. In addition to conceptualizing the equestrian-themed Salamander Resort & Spa, she has created a line of home goods, artisan scarves, knitwear and more.

Though her achievements are beyond impressive, the down-to-earth Johnson, 66, is quick to tell you that she’s experienced failure along the way.

“When you run into failures — and I have failed at things — it makes you stronger. You learn from those failures, and that’s the only way you continue to move forward and be successful.”

As an example, she describes a riding accident that occurred earlier this year: “I was riding one of my daughter’s (a professional horseback rider) little hot-head horses, and I just felt I was in total control of my life. He dumped me, and I forgot to let go of the reins.

And he stepped on me,” she says. The accident resulted in broken ribs and other injuries that required a two-week hospital stay.

While the incident made her fear riding, she knew she had to get back on the horse, she says. “Because that’s part of life. We all get hit with curveballs, and we all have to learn to get back in the saddle,” she adds.

Because who knows where the next act may take you?

WHAT CAN’T SHE DO? Sheila Johnson’s accomplishments range far and wide.

Hospitality She owns two properties: the Salamander Resort & Spa, an equestrian-themed property in Virginia’s horse country, and Innisbrook, a regular stop on the PGA Tour in Tampa Bay, Fla. Her company manages the aforementioned locations and two additional resorts in Florida. Several projects are under development.

Sports She is president and managing partner of the Washington Mystics WNBA franchise and holds a stake in the NBA’s Washington Wizards and the NHL’s Washington Capitals. “I’ve always loved sports,” she says.

“I was a cheerleader before Title IX.”

Art Johnson is an accomplished photographer. Some of her images have been printed on large scarves (available at sheilajohnsoncollection.com).

Through Oct. 31, Chico’s is selling a limited-edition scarf designed

by Johnson to support cancer research.

Film Johnson produced several documentaries before quietly getting Lee Daniels’ The Butler off the ground. Her goal now is to start a film company that focuses on African-American stories.

There are “good stories out there about the African-American community, and I just really want to be able to tell them in a good light, in the quality of The Butler,” she says.

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CAREER & FINANCE

Cool Jobs in Cool Places You’re never too old to be bold

I

magine working on top of a mountain one season and on the shores of a glacial lake the next.

If you picture a job that offers adventure, flexibility and the opportunity to spend quality time in postcard-perfect places, opportunities may await you at CoolWorks.com, a niche, online jobs board that connects job seekers to seasonal “Jobs in Great Places” — including the floor of the Grand Canyon and a scientific outpost at the South Pole.

About one-third of CoolWorks.com’s 10,000 users fit what the company calls its “Older and Bolder” profile, says Kari Quaas, the company’s recruiting

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specialist. Older and Bolder users are retired or nearing retirement and possibly considering an encore career; about half of these job seekers will return to Cool Works to look for work another season.

“People say: ‘I wish I had known about it before,’” Quaas says.

Cool Works founder Bill Berg, 62, had his first taste of seasonal work at 19, pumping gas in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. The scenery had an impact. “I couldn’t believe you could be paid to live and work in a place like this,” he says.

At 41, a “midlife crisis” led Berg to business school, where he discovered

the networking power of the Internet — and the idea for CoolWorks.com was born.

Today, the site helps adventurous job seekers connect with employers at national parks, dude ranches, fishing lodges, resorts, camps and other businesses across the country and even abroad. The site hosts active chat rooms where users can seek advice from Cool Works’ staff and each other.

The company itself has earned accolades, including a 2015 User’s Choice Award from Weddle’s, a publishing and consulting firm focused on employment.

A peek earlier this year at the Cool

THINKSTOCK

BY MARY HELEN BERG

‘DOING SOMETHING DIFFERENT’ Anneliese Forsyth, 65, of Boynton Beach, Fla., found retirement boring. Thirty years as a phone installer and supermarket cashier left her wanting offbeat experiences.

She actually searched for “cool jobs” online and “Cool Works” popped up.

Assignments over five years have taken her to Yellowstone and Mesa Verde national parks, through Alaska on a Holland America train and to Deer Valley Ski Resort in Utah, where, at 64, she learned to snowboard. She’s worked as a barista, dishwasher and store stocker, and has collected co-worker friends young and old.

Seasonal work “shows you a different way of life,” Forsyth says. “I think you just have to get over the fear of doing something different.”

THINKSTOCK; BOTTOM LEFT, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE; ILLUSTRATIONS BY ASHLEIGH CARTER

Seasonal jobs offer a change of pace and can lead to stunning surroundings, such as Glacier National Park in Montana, opposite page, and the Grand Canyon in Arizona, bottom left.

“There is a whole army of incredible, capable boomers ... looking for ways to contribute and enrich their lives.”

— BILL BERG, FOUNDER OF COOLWORKS.COM

Works Older and Bolder job board (coolworks.com/older-bolder) revealed more than 500 posts by employers with hundreds of seasonal and longterm positions, from an art instructor in the Rockies to a dog handler in Juneau, Alaska.

Most jobs are entry-level service positions. Xanterra sought bus drivers in Montana’s Glacier National Park and Princess Cruises needed a deckhand among the scores of openings listed in

Alaska and the Yukon.

Berg says he believes “there is a whole army of incredible, capable boomers out there who are being released from their 8-to-5 (jobs) and they are looking for ways to contribute and enrich their lives.”

Employers who post job ads with Cool Works generally pay minimum wage and provide inexpensive room and board, which is deducted from paychecks.

Workers share modest, dormitorystyle accommodations, and employers try to house Older and Bolder workers together.

Employment often comes with perks, such as free or discounted bike and river trips, horseback riding and helicopter rides. “It’s anything but riding out your retirement in the La-Z-Boy,” Berg says.

A STEPPING STONE Working in a national park was on Judy Summers’ bucket list.

But, at 67, the former property manager living in Palestine, Texas, feared no one would hire her. Then she discovered Older and Bolder. “I put in like five applications and had three job offers,” recalls Summers, now 74. “It really boosted my ego.”

After a season working in the employee kitchen at a lodge in Grand Teton National Park, Summers had enough confidence to reach for another goal: She joined the Peace Corps for two years as a health educator in a rural village in Malawi.

Cool Works gave her the jump-start she needed, she says.

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Candace Kramer’s ADU in Portland, Ore.

Big Dreams Come True in Tiny Packages Why building a little house on your property can make sense

BY LISA MARIE HART

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originally developed as part of the Hurricane Katrina disaster recovery in 2006. The compact designs feature a quaint cottage look.

“Used as a home office or guest suite when times are good, rented out if times are tight, outfitted for multigenerational households with boomerang kids or elderly parents — they can even be used to downsize into a cottage for those who want to rent out their main home to support themselves in retirement,” says Cusato, a special housing adviser to HomeAdvisor.com and a professor of the practice at the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture.

While laws governing construction of ADUs vary across the country (in some areas, they’re prohibited altogether), their appeal and utility are undeniable.

Here are two Portland, Ore., homeowners who are making the most of ADUs.

The Benefits of Income Property Owner: Candace Kramer Size: 400 square feet Layout: Studio with 1 bath and sleeping loft Special features: Vaulted wood ceilings; subway-tiled shower; French doors to private patio with café table for two After years of staring at the dilapidated garage on her property, Candace Kramer decided to turn the space into extra income.

“The garage was falling down, so building an ADU as a short-term rental made smart investment sense,” she recalls. “Portland had waived the development fees, too, so that savings was an added incentive.”

Her calculations sealed the deal: The new abode would pay for itself in two years (with Kramer serving as her own contractor/designer, she says the project cost approximately $90,000).

Profits would be hers to keep — all

KRAMER ADU PHOTOS BY ERIK OFFERDAL; ILLUSTRATIONS BY THINKSTOCK

T

iny accessory dwelling units may not offer much in the way of square footage, but they’re having a major impact on the homeowners who build them.

Known as “ADUs,” these pint-sized houses constructed on the same property as a main home support growing trends of multigenerational living, minimalism, downsizing, aging in place and the pursuit of extra income through long-term or vacation rentals.

Technically speaking, ADUs (some as small as 300 square feet) are equipped with a kitchen, bathroom and sleeping quarters. Homeowners can adapt the concept to match their visions — whether it’s with a sun-filled meditation space, office or art studio.

Designer Marianne Cusato continues to be amazed by the demand for her Katrina Cottage plans, which she

KRAMER HOUSE The Portland, Ore., studio brings in extra income for its owner through rentals on Airbnb.com.

from a little unit that instantly boosted her property value.

The ADU’s exterior complements Kramer’s larger, pre-existing home, while its modest size left room for a lush garden setting.

Kramer, who has a professional design background, kept the studio invitingly simple. High ceilings, a compact kitchen and bathroom and pops of color in a neutral scheme help the light, bright living space make the most of its footprint. A sofa bed boosts sleeping space — though guests rave about the treehouse charm of the sleeping loft.

In 2013, the little house made its debut at $130 a night on Airbnb.com.

Now, Kramer receives up to $180 per night thanks to steady demand, a surge in curiosity about tiny houses (Portland hosts an annual ADU tour), a walkerfriendly locale and favorable guest

Features of Candace Kramer’s 400-square-foot accessory dwelling unit include a garden area, high ceilings, a compact kitchen and a sleeping loft that delights guests.

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PUGGARANA HOUSE A home for her mom was the plan when Michelle and Ben Puggarana built an ADU on their property in Portland, Ore.

— Homeowner and interior designer Candace Kramer, 58, has been a real estate broker with Windermere for 15 years.

A travel buff, she also participates in Habitat for Humanity “build trips.” “It’s very interesting to see how each country builds small,” she says. Her blog, downsize myspace.com, chronicles adventures in downsizing.

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When Mom Moves In Owners: Michelle and Ben Puggarana Size: 800 square feet Layout: 1 bedroom, 1 bath with an extra room upstairs Special features: Fireplace; front porch with seating; upstairs can be used as a guest bedroom or storage Originally dubbed “granny flats” or “mother-in-law apartments,” smallbut-separate ADUs trace their roots to the desire to accommodate a parent, which is exactly what prompted the Puggaranas to build one.

For Michelle’s mother, who had said she would never live with her children because she didn’t want to be a “burden,” the ADU became an attractive alternative.

Her husband had died, and after the family researched the cost of buying into a living facility, Michelle and Ben decided to build a cozy custom nest for her on their generously sized corner lot.

MICHELLE PUGGARANA

The Puggaranas made sure the ADU was able to accommodate favorite pieces of furniture owned by Michelle’s mother.

reviews. The ADU is booked year-round, attracting vacationing couples, families and business travelers alike.

The only drawback, says Kramer, was the unanticipated costs of upgrading her landscape and replacing the driveway, which was damaged during the ADU’s construction.

For Kramer, the tiny home offers unlimited potential for future returns.

“It circles back around,” she says. “I may retire in it someday. Maybe my son will live in the main house with his family. The ADU has everything you need.”

MARIANNE CUSATO; JOSH GIBSON

Marianne Cusato’s Katrina cottages include a 308-square-foot, one-bedroom home, below, and a 544-square-foot two-bedroom, left. Plans for the homes can be purchased at mariannecusato.com.

“Fortunately, she thought it was a great idea” — the move meant a brand new home and being close to her children and grandchildren, says Michelle, who, with her husband, hopes to be a positive role model for how society treats its elders.

The couple chose Joe Robertson of Shelter Solutions in Hillsboro, Ore., for his strong track record with ADUs. They appreciated his long-term vision, which included taking into account potential aspects of handicap accessibility.

The ADU allows for the entire living space to be located on the bottom level; the upstairs offers flexibility for storage, a guest room or even a future caregiver’s quarters.

Michelle and Ben even made sure the design plans would accommodate her mother’s favorite pieces of furniture.

The second home is in harmony with the couple’s 1924 bungalow, right down to similar front porches and fireplaces.

“I think the combination of proxim-

ity and independence makes it work,” says Michelle. At 81, her mother “has the privacy of her own home, but can see her grandkids, and I can help her manage things, from finances to taking her to the grocery store and to church.”

Michelle’s sole concern was an inability to provide peer social activities, but she says her mother is comfortable and content.

“It would have been a strain on me to have her farther away, and it was a good investment for everyone,” she says. “It has changed our lives dramatically. I’m so happy we were able to do this.”

— Homeowners Michelle Puggarana, 49, who specializes in nonprofit training and consulting, and Ben Puggarana, 50, a therapeutic activities director and horticultural therapist, have fashioned their careers around helping others in the nonprofit sector. Building an ADU for Michelle’s mother felt like a natural fit.

STRATEGIC DESIGN A lifestyle devoted to minimalism is certainly one method of coping with the small space in an ADU, but architects, interior designers and homeowners are coming up with all sorts of ways to maximize comfort and convenience.

Design elements include: ● Tall ceilings to open up rooms. ● Lofts to take advantage of overhead space. ● Pull-down stairs or ladders (traditional stairs take up lots of room). ● Multifunctional furniture (think sofa beds and flip-down tables). ● Space-saving custom closets. ● Plenty of windows to bring the outdoors in for a lighter, more natural feel.

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Retire Without Regrets Break free of financial burdens and save for your best years

BY TAMMY KENNON | ILLUSTRATIONS BY MIRANDA PELLICANO

Is your house bulging at the seams? It may be a good time to review your financial priorities and rethink your spending habits.

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B

aby boomers and Gen Xers have something in common: Few of us have saved enough money for retirement. But there’s a limit to how much money we can devote to retirement savings — or is there?

Over the decades, as our incomes expanded, most of us came down with a bad case of “lifestyle creep.” We upsized to bigger houses and overfilled them, added creature comforts and bought increasingly more expensive gadgets.

Despite the fact that our houses have become significantly larger, one in every 10 of us outsources our dubious treasures to a storage unit, now a $24 billion industry.

Yet, we’re still buying stuff.

Somewhere along the way (probably while we were out shopping) the escalation reached a tipping point. All those possessions stopped enhancing our lives and became a physical and psychological burden, and now the lifestyle and our impulsive spending threatens to sabotage our retirement years.

But even small adjustments in our buying habits can make a difference.

By asking four simple questions before buying things, we can curb our spending, invest the savings in our future — and enter that future with more discerning habits.

IS THIS SOMETHING I NEED? This one question can revolutionize the way we spend. Most of us already own more than we need, and we’re making purchases without even thinking.

As an experiment, try going an entire week buying only what you actually need. Suddenly, it’s no longer relevant how cute those shoes are or how much you can save by buying them on sale.

If you don’t need them, it’s a waste of money. Those daily temptations are exposed for what they are: unnecessary.

Being hyper-diligent for even one week can start chipping away at frivolous spending habits. You’ll not only save money, but your closet and basement will thank you.

MEDIAN SQUARE FOOTAGE FOR A NEW SINGLE-FAMILY HOME SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

1,655 IN 1978

2,453 IN 2014

DOES THIS THING REQUIRE ME TO KEEP SPENDING MONEY? Beware of products and services that masquerade as money-savers when they are really just thinly disguised invitations to spend more cash.

At face value, programs such as timeshares and vacation clubs promise to save you hundreds, but require that you spend money to realize those savings. These “savings opportunities” can pressure you to travel more often than you want or take trips you can’t afford.

Tempting items such as recreational vehicles can rack up costs far beyond the ticket price in storage, maintenance costs and operating expenses.

Savings clubs, store discount cards and bulk-store memberships all seduce you into shopping more often and spending more under the false pretense of “saving,” so think through the hidden costs before pulling out your wallet.

convenience of a second (or third) car, which will probably seem much less “convenient” when you tally the cost of the vehicle itself, registration, insurance, repairs, upkeep and fuel.

By thoughtfully selecting your own conveniences, you can find hundreds and potentially thousands of dollars in savings.

IS THIS A BURDEN ON MY TIME AND BUDGET? Henry David Thoreau said, “The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.” That is true both in terms of the item’s price and the ongoing expense and burden of owning it. If you already feel overextended, don’t buy or hold onto things that add to your worries.

At the low end, consider halting your dry cleaning habit — it’s costly and adds yet another item to your regular “to-do” list. At the high end, don’t install that expensive and labor-intensive swimming pool. And what about that supersized house?

Downsizing, by even a few hundred square feet, can mean enormous savings in upkeep, insurance and taxes.

The sooner we start right-sizing our lifestyles and addressing our expensive habits, the more we’ll be able to ensure that the next years will be our best years.

In 2010, Tammy Kennon sold everything she owned, including a four-bedroom house, and sailed away with her husband on a 38-foot boat. After three years of living on the water and off the grid, she returned to dry land.

DOES THE CONVENIENCE JUSTIFY THE EXPENSE? As a society, we are addicted to convenience and use our hectic lifestyles to justify extra, and enormous, expenses.

The suspect list starts with manicures, car washes and housecleaning services. The upper end of the list includes the undeniable

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Rediscover Desire Eight ways to rekindle the spark — no prescription necessary

BY CINDY KUZMA

S

to merely accept your diminished libido.

First, make sure you’re free of medical problems that may be putting a damper on your feelings.

If you have troublesome symptoms, such as pain during sex or prolonged sadness, check with your doctor, Khera advises.

But if you have a clean bill of health and just need a little pick-me-up in the passion department, try these all-natural, prescription-free ways to recapture that loving feeling.

THINKSTOCK

hifting hormones. Changing family roles. Those dirty socks that he left on the floor — again.

For all those reasons and more, you might find yourself scoring a little low on the lust-o-meter, says Dr. Mohit Khera, an associate professor of urology at Baylor College of Medicine and the co-author of Re-Coupling: A Couple’s 4-Step Guide to Greater Intimacy and Better Sex. Whether you’ve embraced the same partner for decades or find yourself exploring the dating scene, you don’t have

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2

Tonight. You and me??

YES!!!

1

SCHEDULE A DATE

Though it may seem distinctly un-sexy to send your partner a calendar invite for intimacy, blocking out time on your schedule can be a big boon to your sex life.

One reason why: While younger bodies often experience spontaneous desire, mature hormones may rev up only in response to sexual situations, says Rose HartzellCushanick, a certified sex therapist who works at San Diego Sexual Medicine. In other words, you might not feel “in the mood” until you find yourself wrapped up in a passionate embrace.

Setting aside time to clear your mind and connect with your partner puts you in position — so to speak — to stoke your arousal.

THINKSTOCK

4

START EARLY

Try what Hartzell-Cushanick calls “making love all day.”

Pick a morning and begin finding little ways to flirt.

Take a few extra minutes to kiss and hug in the hallway before heading out. Send a “sext” — a text with a racy message — or an email with an inside joke the two of you share.

“Just let each other know how much you love and desire each other,” Hartzell-Cushanick says. By the time evening rolls around, you might find yourself more than ready for romance.

3

SIP WITH CARE

Twin glasses of champagne, a joint bubble bath — it’s a scene straight out of a romantic movie. Indeed, a small amount of alcohol can boost blood flow, loosen your inhibitions and help you relax, says Wendy Bazilian, a registered dietitian and co-author of The SuperFoods Rx Diet.

But be careful — get too tipsy and your heart rate slows, your eyes droop and the sparks flying between your brain and your erogenous zones sputter out.

SWEAT REGULARLY

What you do in the gym pays off in the bedroom. In a series of studies, University of Texas researchers asked women to watch spicy film clips while measuring blood flow to their nether regions. Logging 20 minutes on a treadmill or stationary bike beforehand meant they were more turned on during their private viewing; exercise pumps out endorphins and ignites the sympathetic nervous system, the subconscious pathway to arousal.

No matter which workout you choose — yoga, walking, swimming, etc. — moving regularly has long-term benefits for your libido. You’ll ease stress and build a stronger, more flexible body, in addition to the confidence to share it, says Mary Jo Rapini, a licensed psychotherapist and co-author of Re-Coupling: A Couple’s 4-Step Guide to Greater Intimacy and Better Sex.

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6

SLURP DOWN AN OYSTER

This mollusk has a sensual reputation for a reason, Bazilian says. One medium oyster provides a heaping helping of the pleasure chemical dopamine and a woman’s entire daily dose of zinc, a mineral that fuels the production of libido-boosting testosterone.

Don’t dig shellfish? Fan the flames with chocolate (for many, just thinking of it triggers the release of happy hormones) or even watermelon. A compound called citruline in this fruit’s rosy flesh relaxes blood vessels, pumping blood faster to all the right parts of your body, Bazilian notes.

5

STOP SHORT OF SEX

Instead of rushing into the deed, take time to step back and explore each others’ bodies, HartzellCushanick recommends. Set a mood with candles and soft music, then trade off 15-minute sessions with your partner.

The “receiver” disrobes and lies on the bed. The “giver” touches less-common erogenous zones — think neck, lips or the back of the knee — using a wide range of directions, pressures and depths. Meanwhile, the receiver stays in verbal contact, expressing what feels good and what doesn’t.

“We’re all like snowflakes,” Hartzell-Cushanick says; no two people feel turned on by exactly the same motions.

7

SPEND A FEW BUCKS

Props can spice up the dullest of encounters — and you don’t have to go to a special store or website to buy them. HartzellCushanick often sends her clients to the dollar store with a crisp $10 bill.

Buy feather boas, sticky syrup — anything that has a look or texture that appeals to you.

Once a week, challenge yourself and your partner to use one of these items creatively.

8

CLOSE YOUR EYES

Spending more time in your bed snoozing can also lead to more time canoodling.

That’s according to results of a recent study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, which found that for every extra hour of sleep, women’s desire intensified and their odds of having sex increased by 14 percent.

Well-rested women report lower stress levels and are better able to keep their minds in the moment during intimacy, Rapini says. And the healthier your lifestyle overall — think good sleep, regular exercise and a nutritious diet — the better all the parts of your body will function, she notes.

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THINKSTOCK

NEW LIBIDO DRUG TO HIT THE MARKET This October, women who want another way to give their libidos a boost will have access to the “little pink pill,” the first prescription drug of its kind approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Flibanserin, to be sold under the brand name Addyi, is taken daily before bedtime and affects brain chemicals — it specifically aims to treat premenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder, or a lack of desire for sex that causes personal distress or difficulty in relationships.

The FDA had rejected the drug twice in the past five years, and critics still question its safety and effectiveness. Cindy Whitehead, CEO of Sprout Pharmaceuticals, which makes Addyi, says the drug has been studied in more than 11,000 women, and performed better than a placebo by all measures examined. The most common side effects were dizziness, nausea and sleepiness.

— Laura Ungar

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ONE LAST THING

3 Ways to Make Life More Meaningful When all is said and done, it’s the people in our lives who bring us joy and purpose

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BE A TRUE FRIEND

UNCOVER A LASTING LEGACY

PUT FOOD ON THEIR TABLES

One in eight U.S. women will develop invasive breast cancer during her lifetime, so it’s likely you know, or will know, someone on this journey. Not sure how to help? We’ve got you covered: ▶ Suggest specific ways you can support her, like doing the laundry, cooking dinner or running errands. ▶ Be understanding if she’s too tired or sick to respond to you. ▶ Skip cancer-related horror stories; share good news instead. ▶ Boost her ego. Tell her how beautiful and amazing she is.

If researching your family tree has been on your to-do list for ages, Ancestry.com makes it easy to get started with a variety of programs.

Comb through historical records, get in touch with relatives you never knew you had, search newspapers dating back centuries and even have your DNA analyzed to determine your ethnicity.

A free mobile app makes researching more convenient.

Membership plans at ancestry.com start at $19.99 a month for access to U.S. records; the DNA test is $99.

The facts are heartbreaking: Millions of schoolchildren don’t get enough to eat when they go home. Want to change that?

Pantry and backpack programs run by Feeding America and its local food banks assist children when school is over. The backpack program (which gives children nutritious food to take home) provided the equivalent of 44 million meals for more than 457,000 kids in fiscal year 2014.

To donate, find a food bank at feedingamerica. org. Programs can vary by location.

BEST YEARS I FALL / WINTER 2015

THINKSTOCK

BY CHRIS GARSSON AND PEGGY J. NOONAN

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For location, hours of operation and further details about our award-winning communities throughout Florida, visit mintofla.com. © Minto Communities, LLC 2015. All rights reserved. Content may not be reproduced, copied, altered, distributed, sto red o r transferred in any form o r by any means witho ut express written permission Artist’s renderings, dimensions, specifications, prices and features are approximate and subject to change witho ut notice. Minto and the Minto logo are trademarks of Minto Communities, LLC and/or its affiliates. CGC1519880 9/2015

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