Elderly Adventurers – Life begins At 60!

Is there really life after 60? Many elderly achievers are defying their age on a regular basis, and proving that they are not over the hill, but in fact just beginning another lease of life. Breaking through stereotypes regarding age and health obstacles, they are proving you’re never too old to make your mark. Record makers and record breakers in the over 60 age range are plentiful, inspiring and showing every day that it is never too late for an old dog to learn new tricks.

Think your too old, to swim the English Channel? George Burnstad from the USA was 70 years old when in 2004 he became the oldest man to claim that accomplishment; followed in 2007, by the oldest female, Linda Ashmore from the UK, who accomplished the same feat just 2 months shy of her 61st birthday.

The English Channel Image Credit

Want to climb Mt. Everest? Nepalese man Min Bahadur Sherchan reached the top of the 29,035-foot summit just a month away from his 77th birthday.

Mount Everest Image Credit

Too tired to walk? Eula Weaver started walking after a heart attack at age 83.She became the oldest person at age 85 to win the foot race at the 1974 Senior Olympics. Even though she had no competition, she still at the age of 90, continues to hold the record for the 1500 meter walk.

Seniour Olympic Gold Medal Image Source

If golf is your sport of choice, consider Henry George Miller, who made the Guinness Book of World Records at the age of 93 by sinking a hole-in-one at the 11th hole at a golf course in Anaheim, CA. He started golfing in his late 50′s and is still golfing today at the age of 102.

Golf Club Against Ball Image Credit

You don’t have to be a record breaker (yet), but you can always be a record maker! Have fun with your hobbies explore them and you may end up climbing mountains and exploring nature like Finis Mitchell aged 77 who has conquered 251 peaks in western Wyoming. Not only did he photograph and name hundreds of mountains, glaciers, and lakes, in the Wind River Mountains, but also authored the inspired book, Wind River Trails.

Mitchell Peak Sign Image Credit

Dancing queen 77-year-old Corinne Leslie became so consumed by all the energy she saw in older women, she formed Leslie’s Pompom Squad. The squad is composed of elderly woman who, just like their younger peers, cheer lead, energize the crowd and dance to music. Leslie herself has been known to stand on her head while another elderly dancer, Foofie Harlan, performs splits, hand stands, and cartwheels, which always cause standing ovations.

Pom Poms Image Credit

Then there’s Wally Lattimer, who at age 98 is just slowing down. He rises at 6 am and works a 12-hour day as a farmer, philosopher, and traveler. He lives alone outside Lyons, Kans., farming 40 acres of wheat and an 11-acre garden and claims to avoid sickness due to hard work and a steady schedule.

Some of these inspiring folks have had health obstacles to overcome, some had physical limitations, and others just decided that age was just a number and life didn’t have to stop once you hit 60. In fact, the wisdom of life experience combined with the emotional intelligence that life brings, has undoubtedly helped them to make more critical decisions and become closer to self-actualization, or personal enlightenment.

Eldery Adventurers was a guest editorial provided on behalf of Hotel Club; find hotels in Hong Kong and start your own adventure.

Weight Loss And Asian Cuisine, A Perfect Harmony

Over the past fifty years and beyond, most western countries were not receiving an accurate portrayal of Asian cuisine. The fast food, or MSG-ridden restaurants that sprouted up all over the world may be delicious, but do not showcase the meals and ingredients that were part of the aver

age Japanese, Korean, and Chinese diets. Not only do these cultures live to record ages, many report that they are thinner, happier, and healthier due to a few key ingredients of their cuisine. Here are some of the basics of Asian cuisine that promote huge weight loss and healthier living.

A key piece of nearly everyone’s diet is the carbohydrate. This is also one of the biggest points of contention between many western and Asian diets. Outside of Japan, China, and other parts of Southeast Asia, bread is the main form of carbohydrates for most. While limited amounts of wheat bread can be beneficial due to its fiber content, most opt for white, processedbreads. They are also eaten with nearly every meal beginning with toast in the morning, sandwiches at lunch, and then rolls at dinner.
Within most Asian cultures, the carbohydrate of choice is rice. Rice has many of the same properties as bread or even other starches, but a different stance is taken on this food. Instead of being the cornerstone of a meal, rice is a supplement to the other ingredients. Smaller portions are used and there is less lof a chance that rice harvesting companies are putting in sugars or dyes, a common practice for many bread companies.

So what is sitting next to the rice? One of the most common answers is a very large portion of vegetables. Terrifying statistics are released yearly, portraying millions of western diets centering around processed vegetables, such as french fries. Even mashed or boiled, potatoes should only be eaten in limited quantities. When deep-fried and salted, they become a terrifying enemy to weight loss.
Many Asian cultures instead opt for raw, steamed, or wok’d vegetables. Utilizing a variety of fruits and vegetables that have been tampered with, cooked, and processed the least is the absolute best option for weight loss. They should also remain one of the largest components of any healthy diet and can be used in every meal.

There are many other examples of small additions to the Asian diet that promote weight loss and a healthy lifestyle. These include fresh legumes, raw or lightly cooked seafoods, tofu as a major source of protein, and green tea. As with any component of a diet, all ingredients should be used in moderation and balanced with other items. For those that are looking to Japanese, Chinese, and Korean cuisine for weight loss, it may be time to pick up a warm cup of green tea and begin thinking about the change.

 

 

Using Mobile Apps To Help You Lose Weight

With most people leading busy lives, it can be difficult to carve out time specifically for your weight loss journey. But taking advantage of advances in health information technology can be right at your fingertips. There exist many mobile phone applications that can help to track your food intake, suggest healthy meal items, measure your successes, and plan your next workout.

Some of the most popular mobile phone applications are those that track your daily caloric consumption. Rather than spending time at the end of your day remembering what was consumed, the user can input each specific food as it is eaten. Tracking food as it is eaten is proven to be more effective than remembering an entire day’s meals at once. A readout will then list calories consumed, as well as fat, carbohydrates, fiber, sugar, and protein. By tracking each of these macronutrients, it can be ensured that all nutritional needs are met. Additionally, calories can be monitored so that weight loss goals can be achieved faster. If you are unsure of your caloric needs, your weight, height, gender, physical activity, and other parameters can be set for a custom plan. These plans show you your calorie “budget” to get you to your goal weight.

Another benefit to using mobile phone apps is to measure the physical changes in your body. If looking better is the goal, weight is not the only factor. Measurements and body fat percentages are vital indicators of improving physical fitness. The health information technology available in many applications allows the user to input specific information like waist circumference and lean body mass. Graphs or charts can then show progress being made for each marker of physical fitness. Seeing instant visual representations of success is a big motivator for those looking to make healthier decisions and become fitter.

Cell phones can now come equipped with Global Positioning Systems (GPS) or accelerometers. These functions can track the distance traveled on foot, as well as speed and direction. Pedometer applications can be used for walking or running, and help the user meet their exercise goals. The United States government suggests that each person walk 5 miles per day, or roughly 10,00 steps. Mobile phone applications that make this easier to track bring us one step closer to meeting these daily recommendations.

Other applications act as a virtual personal trainer, offering hundreds or even thousands of possible strength training exercises. A picture or video of each move is shown on the phone’s screen, as well as detailed instructions to make sure proper form is being followed with each repetition. Suggestions can be found for exercises that work specific areas, whether that is whittling down the waist or building up biceps. Significantly cheaper than a one-on-one session with a personal trainer, applications like this allow anyone with a mobile phone the opportunity to work out in a safe and informed way. Not limited to weight bearing exercises, applications are available for detailed workouts in the areas of yoga, pilates, or even stretching to gain flexibility and prevent injury on your new fitness journey!

Mitchell Gavillion has been freelance writing for the past 2 years since studying health information technology. Mitchell is passionate about learning, he writes about health care, education, and fitness.

Zinc…What does it Do For Me?

Zinc is a mineral that is often ignored by individuals until they find out they’re deficient.  It’s understandable because it isn’t an emphasized substance in nutrition, although it should be.

The mineral has a number of functions in the body.  First of all, it is essential for growth and development in children.  In fact, it is needed long before they become children…it is essential for fetal development!  It aids in bone growth, wound healing and blood production.  It is needed for protein and vitamin A to carry on their functions in the body.  Zinc assists the digestive and immune systems and helps metabolize the macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates and fat).  It is also known that it affects behaviors and plays a role in gene expression.  Other functions include assisting enzymes with their functions and helping with cell development.

Besides its various functions, zinc provides the body with plenty of benefits!  Its oxidative properties may aid in the prevention and treatment of cancer, just like many other antioxidants.  Zinc is actually known to improve taste perception.  Because of this, it can aid in treating some anorexia patients.   Focus on zinc if you have tooth decay problems because it can inhibit the growth of disease causing bacteria.

An individual who is deficient in zinc may have a variety of symptoms.  They could have impaired immunity, taste and eyesight.  Anemia, hair loss and slow growth are other deficiency effects.  The digestive system could be compromised, resulting in diarrhea.  It is also known that hair loss and loss of appetite are symptoms of zinc deficiency.  People at the highest risk for zinc deficiency are: pregnant women, young children, elderly, low-income individuals, athletes and people on meat-restricted diets.  If you are part of any of these groups, see a doctor to determine if you need to be supplemented.

You can rely on various dietary sources to get an adequate amount of zinc.  Sea food, such as oysters, and shellfish are high in zinc, as are meats, poultry and milk products.  Zinc can also be obtained from legumes and whole grains, however, it is not absorbed as well from these sources.

Zinc can also be obtained from supplements such as UAS ActiVin which contains L-OptiZinc (zinc methionine).  Keep in mind that the mineral can be dangerous in high doses, so choose a supplement with 100% or less.  Zinc in high doses can block copper and iron absorption, which are other essential minerals that your body needs.

Talk to a doctor to find out how much zinc your body needs.  Your needs will vary based on your gender, age, and whether you are pregnant or lactating.

 

 

 

Brianna Elliott is a blog author at ProbioticSmart.com, and is a third year dietetics student.  She believes that it is important for people to learn about the mineral, zinc because of its essential functions in the body.

Caring for your lenses

There are five main steps required in caring for contact lenses.  These steps basically revolve around cleansing, rinsing and also a disinfect procedure of the lenses after wearing them.

• The first step requires the user to wash their hands thoroughly in order to remove any dirt or debris that could affect your eyes.  Once you have washed your hands without using a perfume or moisturising product, you should then dry your hands with a lint free cloth.
• Only now can you begin the next stage of the care regime, which includes removing the lens and placing it in the palm of your hand with the correct solution or eye formula.  You should then begin to rub the lens; this will cause all the dirt, make-up and daily debris build-up to loosen.
• The next stage requires you to rinse the lens again in order to rid the lens or any of this loosened debris, dirt and make-up.  Make sure you take note of the instructions on the packet, as all are different and each advise different time lengths and care procedures.  Rinsing is the most important step and should therefore be followed exactly.
• Finally place the cleansed lens in your clean lens case cover or lens case holder and fill with clean lens care solution.  Don’t ever top-up the old solution as this could cause infection and won’t clean the lens correctly either!
• Disinfecting the lenses will in turn rid them of micro-organisms on the lens.  Repeat all of the above steps for the other lens and leave both in a safe place over night or until you’re next wear.  Just always check the guidelines on the packet, as each will almost always vary!

 

If you are looking for contact lenses online  visit www.getlenses.co.uk.

How diet pills affect your diet

Diet pills have very recently become a rage these days. Even youngsters have started using diet pills in order to fit and to look skinny. Some take such pills to lose weight fast. Some take it just to become skinny. What people are unaware of is that diet pills are a major cause for some severe disorders too. You should be aware of how diet pills affect your diet and your health. Most people take diet pills, buying them online after watching others take them. Not all pills suit everyone. Everyone’s body is different and thus it reacts differently to different drugs. It is highly dangerous to pop pills without a doctor’s consent.

Under the supervision of a medical practitioner, you should be able to follow the correct routine to lose weight. Losing weight can be tougher than gaining weight. But with proper exercise, diet and doctor recommended medication it shouldn’t be much of a problem.  There are several side effects of diet pills. If not taken properly under supervision, you may suffer. If you have been taking diet control pills for a very long time now, it is possible that you have become dependent on them. These pills are addictive and long term patients suffer from depression, anxiety and loss of appetite if they suddenly stop taking these pills. It is highly vital that you know the right dosage for your pills. Consult your doctor before deciding upon the dosage.

Some weight loss pills do more harm than good, due to lack of knowledge. It has been seen that many suffer from fluctuating blood pressure (which occurs in the case of an inadequate high bp diet regime), insomnia, digestive problems, nausea, stomach cramps, dryness of mouth etc. Do remember to check the composition of the pills. The chemicals there might not be suitable for you in case you are allergic to something or the other.

Ask your doctor for suggestions in case you are unaware of any possible allergies. Never take your pills right after you eat. You might just vomit out your meal entirely. People who work out a lot (mostly athletes) are suggested to be on a protein diet. But if you are an amateur and don’t know how your body responds then there are several dangers of high protein diet. So do not self-medicate yourself.

The initial weight that you might lose after taking these pills might be a lot. But right after you stop taking these pills, you will most probably be gaining 2 times the weight you lost. So stop going for crash diets. Follow the right and healthy way to fitness and weight loss.

2 diet secrets which you should know-

- Your diet and medication will only work for you if your body reacts well to it. So consult your doctor to do it the right way.

- No matter how bad you feel include a lot of green leafy vegetables like lettuce in your diet. Have fruits and fresh vegetables everyday. Not only are they anti-oxidants but they also have excellent ways to fulfill your hunger without making you fat.

Weight loss in winter

Have you noticed how easily you tend to gain weight in winter? We do tend to become very lazy and lethargic in winter. Due to the cold weather in the season of winter, our body tends to produce more heat. Metabolism rates are higher as the calories are burnt at a faster rate to produce the heat. In turn we get hungry thus, we tend to gain weight.  Also there is much less physical activity from our part, because of the cold weather. Our disorderly eating habits are neglected more.  Now that you know all this, then don’t wait around. There are some easy ways in which you can plan your weight loss in winter.

Start working on your body right away. After all since winter is already here, summer can’t be far away. Summer time means beaches, sleeveless and short summery outfits and lots of swimming. So to have that perfect swimsuit body, start working on your fat now and get it under control before summer arrives.  Do not give up your regular exercise routine. If you don’t want to go out for walks in the cold, work out at home. Get some workout at home DVDs and follow that. Try some yoga early in the morning.

Yoga is the perfect way to stay fit and keep diseases at bay. Follow yoga routines regularly and you won’t gain weight every now and then too. Many celebrities swear by power yoga when asked about the secret behind their fabulous bodies. Yoga for weight loss is a win-win solution. In the summers, there is a lot of outdoor activity but winter restricts that, you should try to make up for it.  People tend to play lawn tennis, soccer, baseball, etc. But in the winters, it’s mostly monopoly and card games which keep us busy, warm and comfortable near the fireplace.

Join a gym, not just for the winters. But if you do join a gym, it will keep you busy and active even in winter.  You can get exercise equipment like a treadmill or an elliptical trainer for your home. Whenever you feel threatened by the harsh cold north winds, start working out on your treadmill and burn that fat.

If you are lying around watching TV sitting cozily at home on a lazy winter afternoon, then do not look for food as a comfort. Do not eat just because you are bored. We do tend to do so in the winters. But stop yourself. Whenever you feel like eating out of boredom, stop yourself and work out a bit, engage yourself in something else. Enjoy herbal tea and other herbs in your foods as the best herbs for weight loss are easily available and work wonderfully.

Do you have a regular diet plan which works excellently for you? Do not discontinue or change it in winter. If you still don’t have a dietary plan, visit your doctor, he or she will be able to give you a healthy diet chart which will suit your needs and requirements perfectly, thus keeping you in good shape. Remember, it is the combination of good healthy food and regular exercise which will help you in maintaining that stunning body.

5 Sugar Free Gum (Rain)

I chew a lot of gum, so I have to buy something long-lasting. I’m currently addicted to Stride, as I can chew the same piece for 45 minutes or longer without feeling like the taste is gone. I can’t just stick to one thing though – I like to try other options to see if there’s something better out there. 5 sugar free gum is advertised as a gum that will “stimulate your senses,” which sounded pretty good to me. With flavors like Cobalt, Flare, and Rain, I was eager to see what the taste was like, so I picked up a pack of 5 (Rain) Sugar Free Gum for $1.69 a pack.

The “Rain” gum is a spearmint flavor and each package has 15 pieces of gum in it (which is one more than in my packs of Stride). I have to say, this spearmint rendering is quite a bit sweeter than Stride’s. It’s nice, and a good change of pace, but it took a little time for the flavor to grow on me. But alas, the flavor went away after a too short a time (~15-20 minutes) and I was left with gross gum flavor.

Each piece has 5 calories, 2 grams of sugar alcohols, and nothing else.

… There’s more. Continue reading ’5 Sugar Free Gum (Rain)’…

Trident Minty Sweet Twist Gum

I’ve been on a big gum-trying kick recently, and Trident has become my go-to brand – I really like Trident Tropical Twist Gum. Last time I popped into a nearby corner store, I spotted Trident Minty Sweet Twist and decided to try it.

This gum is so flavorful, it’s amazing. It reminds me of mint chocolate chip ice cream and it’s just the right combination of sweet and minty. It seems to me that each piece of Trident is smaller than other brands of gum, but for that trade-off there are 18 pieces in a pack. The other downside: this gum doesn’t last nearly as long as Stride.

Xylitol, the sweetener used in this gum, is supposed to help fight cavities. Plus each piece of Trident Minty Sweet Twist Gum provides only 3.5 calories and so sugars. So this is a guilt-free, teeth-cleansing way to get your after-dinner minty fix.

… There’s more. Continue reading ‘Trident Minty Sweet Twist Gum’…

Summer Fest: A Celebration of Slow-Roasted Tomatoes

The Summer Fest theme this week is tomatoes and I can’t think of a better thing to talk about than slow-roasted tomatoes.  I made these for the first time last September and they were absolutely amazing.  Although I made them a few more times throughout the year with grocery store cherry tomatoes, I’ve been waiting for some good summer tomatoes to roast.

Yesterday I roasted a tray of 20 gorgeous Roma tomatoes that I had picked up at the Saturday Farmer’s Market.  It took all day, but the end result was fantastic.  I can’t believe I’m admitting this, but I ate about 15 of those tomatoes for dinner last night.  I just kept picking them off the tray as they were cooling.  My name is Nicole and I ate 15 Roma tomatoes in one night!  Now you know why you aren’t seeing photos of slow-roasted Roma tomatoes… I ate them before I could photograph them.

But I also roasted a pan of cherry tomatoes since I didn’t have enough Romas to fill two pans.  If you’re going to have the oven on all day anyway, you really should fill all the racks with tomatoes.  I managed to eat at least a handful of the cherry tomatoes, too.  I know what you’re thinking.  But you’ll understand once you make some yourself.  You should do that.

How to Make Slow-Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

And here are some more links to help you along your tomato-roasting journey.  These bloggers won’t steer you wrong.  You need to do this!

Instructions for Slow-Roasting Tomatoes:

• Slow-Roasted Tomatoes at Stephen Cooks
• Slow-Roasted Tomatoes at A Veggie Venture
• How to Make Slow-Roasted Tomatoes at Kalyn’s Kitchen
• Slow-Roasted Tomatoes at Smitten Kitchen
• Slow-Roasted Tomatoes with Sea Salt and Ground Coriander at Orangette
• Slow-Roasted Tomatoes at Andrea’s Recipes

What to do with Slow-Roasted Tomatoes:

• Pasta Salad with Slow-Roasted Tomatoes, Grilled Zucchini, and Basil at Kalyn’s Kitchen
• Slow-Roasted Tomato Bruschetta at The Perfect Pantry
• Slow-Roasted Tomato Hummus at Andrea’s Recipes
• Slow-Roasted Tomato Sauce at The Kitchn
• Slow-Roasted Tomato Soup at A Veggie Venture

Other Summer Fest Attendees Celebrating Tomatoes:

• Gluten-Free Girl and the Chef: Heirloom Tomato Tart with Parmesan Crust
• Alison at Food2: Heirloom tomatoes
• The FN Dish: Tyler’s Ultimate Tomato Salads
• Margaret at A Way to Garden: More than one way to ripen a tomato
• Gilded Fork: Celebrating summer lusciousness with a tomato dossier and recipes
• Diane and Todd at White on Rice Couple: Sun-dried tomatoes (actually made in the sun!)
• Paige at The Sister Project: 3 substantial, healthy, vegetarian tomatoey main dishes
• Liz at the Cooking Channel: Easy Tomato Tart
• Kelly at Just a Taste: Tomato Jam
• Alexis at Food Network UK: The seven deadly tomato sins
• Michelle at Healthy Eats: Top 10 Things to Do With Tomatoes
• Marilyn at Simmer Till Done: Cherry Tomato & Maytag Blue Beignets
• Alana at Eating From the Ground Up: Roasted Green Salsa (green zebras and tomatillos), and how late August makes her hurt for New Mexico
• Tigress in a Pickle: Over 50 ways to preserve tomatoes in jars
• Cate at Sweetnicks: A Loaded Bowl (filled with brown rice, Jersey fresh tomatoes, buttery avocados and more deliciousness)
• Caron at San Diego Foodstuff: Chunky Garden Gazpacho with Flowered Corn Tortillas and Melissa Clark’s Tomato Tarte Tatin

How You Can Join in Summer Fest 2010

Have a recipe or tip that fits any of our weekly themes? Starting with our posts of Wednesday, July 28, for five Wednesdays, you can contribute in various ways, big or small.

Contribute a whole post, or a comment—whatever you wish. It’s meant to be fun, viral, fluid. No pressure, just delicious. Simply leave your tip or recipe or favorite links in the comments below a Summer Fest post on my blog, and then go visit my collaborators and do the same.

The cross-blog event idea works best when you leave your recipe or favorite links (whether to your own blog or someone else’s) at all the host blogs. Yes, copy and paste them everywhere! That way, they are likely to be seen by the widest audience. Everyone benefits, and some pretty great dialog starts simmering.

Or think bigger: Publish entire posts of your own, if you wish, and grab the juicy Summer Fest 2010 tomato badge (illustrated by Matt of Mattbites.com).

Summer Fest 2010 Posting Schedule

7/28: Cukes and Zukes
8/4: Corn
8/11: Herbs, Greens, and Beans
8/18: Stone Fruit – I missed this one!
8/25: Tomatoes

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