THOUGHTS ON AGING GRACEFULLY

To some experts and mental health advocates, the phrase “aging gracefully” means to accept the changes that are coming your way as you grow older each day. 

To some degree, they’re right. There’s no way to stop time completely, and to panic about every wrinkle or gray hair you see only bolsters the chances that you’ll succumb to depression and increased stress – which ultimately fast forwards the aging process. 

To go to extreme lengths to look better, for example – like where you suddenly adopt the nickname “cat lady” because you’ve stretched your face with plastic surgery so far that you’re unrecognizable – isn’t necessary, or a good idea. 

But there’s no reason you have to lie down and take it, either. There are many things that happen to us as we age – not because they’re inevitable – but because we don’t take precautions to ensure they never happen.

We go on about our day accepting defeat when it comes to aging and our looks, our energy, our optimism, etc. It doesn’t have to be that way. In the Growing Younger Anti Aging Plan, you can discover many options you have to fight back against the aging process.

These aren’t opportunities to slow down aging – they’re ways you can turn back the clock, eliminate signs of aging. What are some things that make you feel old right now?

It is seeing lines on your face? There are ways to reverse that. Is it a lack of energy in your body? Again, you can change that so that you bound out of bed every morning ready to take on the day. 

What about your health? Do you have “older person” diseases like diabetes? That’s something (with type II anyway) that typically occurs in older people. But it’s reversible if you take steps to improve your health, and it can help you regain your youth! 

Aging gracefully should be about loving yourself enough to treat your body and mind with kindness and compassion. It’s about looking in the mirror and seeing how you can love yourself more and take care of things that don’t have to happen. 

It’s not about self hatred and disgust in how you look or sadness about how you feel. Start getting empowered so that you can shave 5, 10, or even 15 years off of your aging process. All it takes is knowledge and action, and you have access to both of those! 

The Secret Life of the Dandelion

As I write this I am looking out my window at a lawn covered with a lawn of green with yellow flowers.  No, not daffodils, but one of the first plants to herald the arrival of spring.  Dandelions.  That’s when I’ll take a big bucket and a digger and head out to fill my bucket because Dandelions have a secret life.

Dandelions grow virtually worldwide and are one of the healthiest edible greens and they are one of the newest additions to the list of reputable herbal remedies.  Dandelion greens are an all natural way to promote health if used wisely.  Considered to be one of the top four green vegetables rated for overall nutritional value according to the USDA Bulletin #8, Composition of Foods.  Dandelions are also so well respected that they appear in the U.S. National Formulatory, and in the Pharmacopeias of Hungary, Poland, Switzerland the Soviet Union, and are also one of the top six herbs in the Chinese herbal medicine chest. Their leaves contain vitamins A, B, C and D and several minerals including salt, iron and potassium.  It is particularly rich in fiber. The plant also contains luteolin, which is an antioxidant and beneficial as an immune system enhancer.  A great thing about the dandelion and its antioxidant properties is that there is no toxic effect on cells associated with it.

A promising aspect of the dandelion is that it contains lecithin, a lipid that contains chorine.  Lecithin elevates the brain’s acetylcholine, which helps the brain function.  Some researchers believe it may help slow down or stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Another reason not to put chemicals on your lawn.  Let the Dandy’s grow and eat them regularly

 One cup of dandelion leaves amounts to 112 percent of the daily recommended requirement for Vitamin A, 32% of Vitamin C, and 535% of Vitamin K.  It also contains 1030 mg of calcium and 1.7 mg of iron.  Put that in your pot and cook it.

And to cook them, the best greens are picked early, before they flower.  They are tender and less bitter.  I simmer them in some chicken broth and serve with butter or vinegar.  If you cook older greens, then parboil them first in water then simmer in chicken broth and serve.  As for the blossoms, they are great fried in seasoned bread crumbs (dip in egg wash first), and they make a delicious wine.

I’ll bet you didn’t know that the dandelion got its name because its leaves resembled the tooth of a lion.

The misguided still believe that dandelions were and still are a sign of an homeowner who didn’t take pride in his lawn and neighborhood.   They are considered a nuisance by many.  So before you decide to eliminate those “weeds” consider the health benefits of the dandelion.

JUST AN HOUR A DAY

I saw this in my local newspaper.  It is my Horoscope for today.  It is so appropriate for everyone.  I hope you will take a moment and read it.

One hour a day many not seem like a lot, but over time it will be enough to write a novel, lose weight or complete another amazing feat that otherwise would rest solidly in the "not going to happen" category.