Learning to manage your diabetes certainly has a learning curve but, like anything else, if you break it down in small bites, it is much easier to learn and less overwhelming. Food is a factor in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes management but the way it is used to manage the disease is different.
Let's take a look at Food and Diet by Diabetes Type
Type 1 Diabetics - base their insulin dosage in part on what they eat.
Type 2 Diabetics often use their dietary choices as a method of controlling their blood glucose levels.
Type 1 Diabetics
Learning how to calculate carbohydrate grams and account for other important food factors, such as fiber intake, is essential to good blood glucose control for people with type 1 diabetes.
From dlife.com
"If you are on standard insulin therapy (i.e., your insulin doses stay the same from day-to-day), you need to consume roughly the same number of carbohydrate grams daily to avoid blood sugar highs and lows. People on standard insulin therapy generally use simple carbohydrate counting, which sets a certain number of insulin units for every 15 grams of carbohydrates eaten (15 g=1 carb choice).
Your healthcare team can help you determine the appropriate amount of daily carbohydrates for your particular insulin regimen. People who are overweight or obese have weight loss issues to take into account when developing an eating plan. A registered dietitian experienced in diabetes management can help determine the optimal daily amount of carbohydrate and calorie intake.
Those with type 1 diabetes who are controlling their diabetes with flexible insulin therapy are able to adjust the amount of insulin taken before a meal to counteract, or “cover,” the grams of carbohydrates that are about to be eaten, which also allows them to vary their carb intake from day to day. Insulin dose is calculated based on an “insulin to carbohydrate” ratio that establishes a set number of insulin units for a certain quantity of carbohydrate grams. The insulin to carbohydrate ratio varies from person to person; work with your healthcare team to determine what ratio is right for you.
Type 2 Diabetes and Diet
One of the main treatment approaches for type 2 diabetes is medical nutrition therapy (MNT). In simplest terms, MNT is adjusting dietary intake to minimize dramatic highs and lows in blood glucose and keep levels within a safe target range. Carbohydrate counting if a useful tool for keeping diabetes under control.
In addition, as weight and body mass decreases in type 2 patients, so does insulin resistance, so MNT and any medication regimen should be constantly re-evaluated to ensure blood glucose levels stay within a safe range.
Exercise is anintegral part of any weight loss routine, so patients with type 2 diabetes should work with their healthcare team to create a safe and effective individualized fitness plan.
I'm a New Diabetic, Now What Do I Eat?
Diabetic? Consider joining dLife
You will become a member of the largest diabetes support community!
Have a smart phone and want to use it to help manage your diabetes?
Handicap Parking - Don't Judge By Appearances
Whether or not you are able to see their disability, without the special reserved handicap spaces, simple tasks would be overwhelming, painful, if not impossible.
If you or a loved one have an "invisible disability" take a look at the Invisible Disability web site for information and education.
Boomers Face Retirement Crisis
As more and more Boomers reach retirement age, they find themselves with too little assets and are now facing a retirement crisis.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Baby-boomers-near-65-with-apf-654311409.html
10 Things You May Not Know About Colds
Did you know the average 75-year old adult has had about 200 colds in their lifetime? That's TWO years spent with the sniffles, sneezes and cough!
How do you tell a cold from the flu? How do you keep yourself healthy and avoid getting sick?
Researchers continue to study colds - click here for 10 things you may not know about colds.
Spotlight on Aging - Who Are the Caregivers?
The FAMILY - the caregivers in the family, are the primary source of help for the aging. In the U.S., we have over 22 million non-paid family caregivers.
It's best to have a plan in place, ahead of time, before you need it. There are many services available, but you need to know about them BEFORE you need them.
Eldercare Locator
Portobello Mushroom Burger
Here's an easy and delicious hot sandwich recipe that comes in handy during all the Christmas rush.
Heart Attack and Agina
Remember, more woman die of heart disease than men - it's their number 1 killer. The first step to avoid a heart attack it to AVOID it and lower your risk for Heart Attack.
Get a baseline evaluation - know your numbers (Cholesterol and Blood Pressure) and make lifestyle changes
Watch the video
Cold or Flu? How to know when you need to see your doctor
Watch the video
More info from FamilyDoctor.org
http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/infections/cold-flu/073.html
DIY Organic Vanilla Body Cream
From Gorgeously Green
Not only is this a wonderful, chemical-free body cream, it makes a great gift. Many of the items can be purchased from your local healthfood store or from their web site www.gorgeouslgreen.com
What Your Children Need to Know and Have Access To If They Should Ever Have to Manage Your Finances
We all hope we stay healthy and alert forever but the grim reality is that illness or injury could make it necessary for our children to take over our finances someday.
Here's the information your children will need if they should ever have to manage your finances due to injury or illness.
More
10 Tax Friendly States for Retirees
Where’s the best state for you to retire?
A lot will depend on your sources of income. For retirees, while relocating to an income-tax-free state such as Florida or Texas may sound appealing, sometimes the best retirement destination is a state that imposes an income tax, but offers generous exemptions for Social Security benefits, pensions and other types of typical retirement income.
More
Open Enrollment for Medicare 2011 Starts TODAY - Get Informed
It's that time of year... the only time you can change your coverage options. Take the time to learn what your options are since they change every year. Remember, your health may be different this year than it was last year... ask questions, read, talk to others.... GET INFORMED.
Below are some links that may help you make a decision
From Consumer Health Reports - some of the most important changes that have impacted Medicare coverage happen this year!
http://www.consumerreports.org/health/insurance/health-insurance/medicare/medicare-changes.htm
Choosing or Changing Medicare Coverage
\
The 2011 Medicare plan data is now available at http://www.medicare.gov. Even if you don’t want to change your plan(s), take a few minutes and review what changes your plan may have for 2011. This might be your Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) or Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Plan – PDP).
Medicare Part D - Reducing Drug Costs
Medicare plans A - N - some brief information Click here
Medicare 2011 and Caregivers - Click here
Medicare.Gov Resource Locator - Click here
Does Medicare cover flu shots?
From Medicare.gov
If you have Medicare Part B, your flu shot is free every year (there's no co-pay and it doesn't apply toward your deductible).
The shot must be ordered by your doctor.
Your doctor must accept Medicare and not charge more than Medicare will pay. Members of Medicare Advantage Plans need to ask their health plan for details on their coverage for the flu shot (they must cover at least what Medicare does – they may cover more).
Low cost flu shots (about $10) are available at many clinics and pharmacies at the beginning of flu season.
Where can I get a flu shot?
Here are some options for getting a flu shot:
Doctor's Office
Health Departments
Pharmacies
Offices -- many offer flu shots for employees
Who Needs a Flu Shot? EVERYONE over the age of 6 months
The flu is not vomiting, not what you typically think of... fever and vomiting. That's gastroenteritis.
The Flu is a respiratory infection and it KILLS.
90% of the people who die from the flu are over 65.
Children also die from the flu.
Don't lose your life or a loved one to an infection that can be prevented with ONE vaccination!
Get informed, get the facts and dispell the myths.
Click here for more information
Schedule your flu shot online at your local CVS Pharmacy or check with your health department and pharmacy. Remember, the cost of the flu shot is less than you'll spend on medications if you get sick.
Watch this video about a couple who lost their daughter to the flu... she was never dehydrated, never had a fever.....sadly, it was a death that could have been prevented with ONE vaccination.
Don't have prescription insurance or can't afford your prescriptions?
SmithGlaxoKline may be able to help you
Check their web site
http://www.gskforyou.com/
Adult Day Care - What it is and Who benefits from it
Adult day services include adult day social programs and Alzheimer's day care. The daytime programs designed for seniors with health and or social needs. Adult day services provide a safe, loving atmosphere for seniors who need basic supervision and/or social stimulation.
Programs at an adult day services facility are designed specifically to meet the needs of each individual. These types of programs, however, are normally private pay situations, but some do offer scholarships based on need. Adult day services can provide assistance to seniors who are physically, mentally, or functionally impaired, require some level of care or companionship, need supervision, or benefit from stimulating activities.
Who Benefits?
Both the individual who participates in adult day care as well as their caregiver/family. Caregiving is stressful, even when you dearly love someone. Caregivers need to have time to run errands, get a hair cut, visit the doctor, shop for groceries, etc. Often a caregiver who has a day or half day to take care of these items is able to reduce a lot of their stress, knowing that their loved one is safe and being cared for so they may take care of the other necessary errands.
What Adult Day Services Offer
Adult day care is ideal for seniors who are unable to be monitored during the day by a primary caregiver or simply need daily interaction with trained people who can work one-on-one with your loved one. In addition to activity time, some adult day care facilities offer meal plans, hygiene assistance and transportation.
In Darke County, Brethren Retirement Community provides full or half-day care, 5 days a week, on their campus. Call today for more information or to schedule an appointment to tour Shuff Adult Day Center.
937-547-7600 or email jane.woodie@bhrc.org
Congestive Heart Failure - What is it?
5 million Americans suffer from Congestive Heart Failure - more go undetected.
Learn more about this disease, the prevention and treatment, and make lifestyle changes to improve your health and reduce your risk.
Edema ( Water Retention) is not to be taken lightly - if your doctor is not able to reduce it, ask to be referred to a nephrologist - the life you save will be your own.
Watch the video by clicking here
9 Ways to Solve Bathroom Cleaning Products Using Products You Have at Home
As we grow older, most of us are trying to avoid commercial cleaning products and chemicals.
This article has solutions for 9 of the most common bathroom cleaning problems.
Click here
Additionally, here is a way to make a non-toxic, all-purpose cleaner
Quick Facts from the Metlife Mature Market October 2010
If you have not checked out the Meflife information in the past, do yourself a favor and click on the link below, lots of good information here.
http://www.metlife.com/assets/cao/mmi/publications/quick-facts/2010/mmi-quickfacts-october-2010.pdf
Polls Show Many Older Americans Are Unprepared for Costs of Long-Term Care
Perhaps you've been reading the many articles in newspapers and magazines that discuss the graying of America. One can hardly pick up a publication anymore without seeing an article yet the majority of Americans are unprepared for aging and unaware of how the costs and how they will pay for the services they will need as they age should they become disabled.
Most Americans,regardless of party affiliation or income level, feel worried and unprepared to deal with the cost of long term care. In California alone, the over-60 population is predicted to increase to nearly eight million older adults in the next 25 years. Not only are most Americans unaware of the cost, they are unprepared to pay for services if they can no longer care for themselves and remain independent.
More
Flu Shot May Help Prevent Heart Attacks - CNN
(CNN) -- A flu shot can do more than just fight against influenza, a new study suggests. It may also fight against heart attacks.
Adults who take the flu vaccine may be less likely to get their first heart attack the next year, researchers say.
The study, published Monday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, was conducted to add to other studies that suggested that there is a link between respiratory infections and heart attacks.
"By the nature of the study, it does not prove cause and effect. So it does not prove that the flu vaccine prevents heart attacks. But it does show that the flu vaccine is associated with the reduction," said Niro Siriwardena, one of the authors of the study and a professor at the University of Lincoln in England.
MORE
Easy Chocolate Biscotti
It's easy to make ......if you're feeling creative, dip one of the cooled biscotti in melted chocolate!
Recipehttp://foodiefarmgirl.blogspot.com/2005/12/biscotti-for-beginners-and-baking-with.html
Toll-Free National Help Lines
AARP (American Association of Retired Persons)
800/424-3410
American Society on Aging (ASA)
800/537-9728
Eldercare Locator (U. S. Administration on Aging Helpline)
800/677-1116
Elder Helpline (Florida - links to local helplines)
800-96ELDER
800/963-5337
National Council on Aging
800/424-9046
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
800/222-2225
AIDS
AIDS Clinical Trials Information Service
800/874-2572
National AIDS Hotline
1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-National AIDS Clearinghouse (Information and publication orders):
800/458-5231
TTY: 800/243-1098
International: 1-404-679-3860
International TTY: 1-301-588-1586
ALCOHOL
Al-Anon, Alateen Family Group Hotline
800/344-2666
National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information
800/729-6686
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence
800/622-2255
ALLERGY
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
800/822-2762
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
800/727-8462
ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) Clearinghouse
888/644-6226
ALZHEIMER'S
Alzheimer's Association (National)
800/272-3900
Alzheimer's Association of Florida - Gulf Coast Chapter (Safe Return)
800/772-8672
Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center (ADEAR)
800/438-4380
American Health Assistance Foundation
(Alzheimers Family Relief Program)
800/437-2423
French Foundation for Alzheimer's Research
800/477-2243
National Caregiving Foundation (Caregivers Support Kit)
800/930-1357
Suncoast Alzheimer's Information Line (SAIL)
800/633-4563
AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association
800/782-4747
ARTHRITIS
Arthritis Consulting Services
800/327-3027
Arthritis Foundation
800/283-7800
ASSISTIVE DEVICES
ABLE DATA (U. S. Dept. of Education)
800/227-0216
BLIND/VISION IMPAIRED
American Council of the Blind
800/424-8666
Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind
800/548-4337
Lighthouse International
800/334-5497
National Library Services for the Blind and Physically Handicapped - Library of Congress
800/424-8567
Vision Council of America
800/424-8422
BRAIN TUMOR
American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA)
800/886-2282
CANCER
The American Cancer Society (ACS)
800/227-2345
The American Institute for Cancer Research
800/843-8114
Asbetos.com for information on Mesothelioma
1-800-ASBESTOS
1-800-272-3786)
Cancer Information Center for the National Cancer Institute
800-4-CANCER
800/422-6237
Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation
800/366-2223
Mesothelioma & Asbestos Awareness Center
866/981-6660
866/981-6660Y-Me National Breast Cancer Organization
800/221-2141
CAREGIVING
Children of Aging Parents (CAPS)
800/227-7294
National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA)
800/896-3650
Well Spouse Foundation (WSF)
800/838-0879
CEREBRAL PALSY
United Cerebral Palsy Association, Inc.
800/872-5827
CLEFT PALATE
Cleft Palate Foundation
800/242-5338
COCAINE
Cocaine Anonymous National Referral Line
800/347-8998
COMMUNICATION HANDICAPS
American Speech Language Hearing Association
800/638-8255
Better Hearing Institute
800-EAR-WELL
800/327-9355
International Hearing Society
800/521-5247
National Association of the Deaf (NAD)
Captioned Media Program
800/237-6213
National Institute on Deafness & Other Communication Disorders
800/241-1044
CONSUMER
Federal Citizen Information Center for Federal Consumer Information (FCIC)
800/688-9889
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
877-FTC-HELP
877/382-4357
FTC Identity Theft Hotline
877-ID-THEFT
877/438-4338
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
English: 800-HELPFLA 800/435-7352
Espanol: 800/352-9832
CROHN'S/COLITIS
Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America
800/343-3637
CYSTIC FIBROSIS
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
800/344-4823
DEPRESSION
The International Foundation for Research and Education on Depression (iFred)
800/422-HOPE
DIABETES
American Diabetes Association
800/232-3472
Juvenile Diabetes Foundation
800/223-1138
DIGESTIVE DISEASE
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
800/891-5389
DISABILITIES
National Rehabilitation Information Center
800/346-2742
National Spinal Cord Injury Association
800/962-9629
DISEASES
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
800/232-4636
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
800/999-6673
DOWN SYNDROME
National Down Syndrome Society
800/221-4602
National Down Syndrome Congress
800/232-6372
DRUG ABUSE
National Drug Information and Referral Line
800/662-4357
ELDER ABUSE
Elder Abuse Reporting Line (Florida)
800-96ABUSE
800/962-2873
TDD (for Deaf): 800/955-8770
Florida Domestic Violence Hotline
800/500-1119
ELDER TRAVEL
Elderhostel
877/426-8056
EPILEPSY
Epilepsy Foundation of America
800/332-1000
Epilepsy Information Service
800/642-0500
HEAD INJURY
Brain Injury Association Family Helpline
800/444-6443
HEADACHE
National Headache Foundation
800/843-2256
HEART
American Heart Association
800-AHA-USA1 800/242-8721
HEPATITIS
American Liver Foundation Hepatitis Liver Disease Helpline
800/223-0179
HOSPICE
National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO)
800/658-8898
HUNTINGTON'S DISEASE
Huntington's Disease Society of America
800/345-4372
IMPOTENCE
Impotence Information Center
800/843-4315
INCONTINENCE
National Association for Continence (NAFC)
800/252-3337
Simon Foundation for Continence
800/237-4666
KIDNEY DISEASE
National Kidney & Urological Disease Information
800/891-5390
LEUKEMIA
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)
800/955-4572
LUNG
American Lung Association
800-LUNGUSA
800/586-4872
LUPUS
Lupus Foundation of America
800/558-0121
MEDICARE
Medicare Hotline
800/MEDICARE
800/633-4227
MENTAL ILLNESS
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI)
800-950-NAMI
800/950-6264
National Institute of Mental Health
Publication Ordering Line
800/421-4211
Mental Health America
800/969-6642
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
800/344-4867
MYASTHENIA GRAVIS
Myasthenia Gravis Foundation
800/541-5454
NURSING HOME
Agency for Healthcare Administration (Nursing Home Guide)
888/419-3456
PARALYSIS
Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation
800/225-0292
PARKINSON'S DISEASE
The best Parkinson web site is:
www.parkinsonresearchfoundation.org
It focuses on patient education
American Parkinson Disease Association
800/223-2732
Parkinson Disease Foundation
800/457-6676
SCLERODERMA
Scleroderma Foundation
800/722-4673
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES
National STD and AIDS Hotline
800/227-8922
SICKLE CELL
Sickle Cell Disease Association of America
800/421-8453
SOCIAL SECURITY
National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare (NCPSSM)
800/966-1935
Social Security Administration
800/772-1213
SPINA BIFIDA
Spina Bifida Association of America
800/621-3141
STROKE
American Stroke Association
888-4STROKE 888/478-7653
National Stroke Association
800/787-6537
VETERANS
Department of Veteran's Affairs
800/827-1000
WOMEN'S ISSUES
Older Women's League (OWL)
800-TAKE OWL
800/825-3695
National Women's Health Information Center (NWHIC)
800-994-WOMAN
800/994-9662
Updated 8/2009
Cute, Hip, Cool Designer Reading Glasses for Women
Ok, I admit it - I am a BIG fan of fun reading glasses - and I have, at last count, in excess of 35 pairs!
(I match them to outfits) I figure if I can't see well I should at least have fun with the glasses.
There are many resources on the web to purchase these but I prefer to shop local whenever possible.....so either google reading glasses to find them or look for them in stores like:
Target (often only $1 ! - They are not the best, they're known to snap and break for no reason whatsoever but hello, they were only $1.
Dollar Stores - you have to look - the cool ones are hit or miss
Stein Mart - more expensive but they they have some very cool reading glasses.
Younique Boutique - Greenville, OH - lots of nice ones... again, higher priced
Morgan House - Columbus, OH - very trendy, higher priced but cool
Peepers.com - Online
When you move on to the next "higher power" - pass your glasses on to a friend who can use them.
Italian style, along with Parisian style, is so far ahead of the states that a woman, who copies the look of European women's glasses, will have eyewear that is trendy for years.
Betsy Johnson readers - Betsy Johnson is a little too old to be a boomer, but she has always been a mod, hippie inspiration for boomer chicks.
Designer Collection by Moxie --- some very inexpensive, but still chic readers.
A great link with lots of eyewear - including eyeglass necklaces - and "Fit Over" sunglasses that fit over regular eyewear
What's in YOUR Yogurt?
More
Pandora.com - Create Your Own Internet Radio Playlist
Pandora.com allows anyone to make their own radio station by creating a cool playlist. Coordinate a great station for every mood.
Pandora music-lovers can edit a playlist by giving a “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” as each song is played. Create a station for special occasions, like these:
•Antonio Vivaldi Radio to increase creativity.
•Frank Sinatra Radio for cocktail hour.
Food items to keep on hand
For a senior with limited range of motion, food preparation becomes almost impossible and many seniors with this problem get Meals on Wheels delivered but they still need to have food items in their pantry for a quick fix in cases of emergency, that is, if food is nowhere to be found!
Here are some things you can keep in stock as they are healthy for you and their shelf life is quite longer than others:
• Granola bars or energy bars. Nothing can be quicker than grabbing a pack, tearing it open and munching up anytime you want to! It can even satisfy your sweet tooth as most granola bars are flavored—flavors ranging from peanut butter, to vanilla, to chocolates.
• Crackers. The ever dependable crackers! Salted, sweet, savory, whole wheat, multigrain.. –you name it, your friendly neighborhood supermarket is most likely to have it! Just make sure that you pack them in re-sealable containers so they will maintain their freshness.
• Trail mix. Trail mixes are good for you. They have nuts and they are energy boosting foods. Same as your crackers, they should be stored in vacuum sealed, re-sealable plastic containers to maintain freshness.
• Peanut butter. Unless you are allergic to nuts then peanut butter must be the best quick fix for seniors since it can be paired with just about anything!
• Freeze dried fruits. They are high in fiber and rich in anti-oxidants. In other words, they will help your digestive system to move a little smoother while keeping you younger looking.
• Canned soups. Contrary to popular notion, not all canned soups are bad. Some are made especially for people with health problems. All you have to do is check labels and make sure you are getting exactly what you need and not those you don’t need at all!
• Power beverages. They can be filling, energy boosting as well as nutritious, not to mention great tasting too. They can also be stacked in the fridge for a quick fix whenever you feel like it. Find one that makes miracles with your metabolism.
• Fruit juices. They are great when chilled and you need to satisfy your sweet tooth without having to worry about calories. Also, most fruit juices in the market today are fortified with vitamins which can be beneficial for you.
• Cereal. They can be eaten dry or with milk. Either way, they are so convenient, they deserve a place in your pantry!
Microwave popcorn
Individual size fruit
Walnuts (good for your heart)
Almonds, raw or unsalted
Sunflower seeds,
Raisins, Sweetened dried cranberries,
Figs, dates
Dark chocolate
What's the BEST Way to fix Corn on the Cob?
Some people say the only way to prepare it is boiling it - others only microwave it while another group insists that the only way to cook it is on the grill - and even then the methods differs as much as the type of butter to use!
This article from the Huffington Post discusses corn on the cob techniques and includes recipes.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/craig-goldwyn/grilled-corn-on-the-cob-r_b_654572.html#comment
So, how do YOU prepare sweet corn?
Zucchini Recipes
Layered Zucchini
Zucchini Oven Chips
Zucchini Bread
Fried Zucchini Blossoms
Problematic blood clotting may contribute to Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's diease continues to baffle scientists. Rockefeller University has released findigs from research that looks at the disease from a different angle.
ScienceDaily (July 14, 2010) reports some new research results with Alzheimer's disease. It has longed been studied primarily as a disease of the neurons but research scientists at Rockefeller University have now shown how the disease process may be damaging the brain by choking off blood flow.
In experiments published June 10 in Neuron, scientists at Rockefeller University reveal that amyloid-β, which builds up around brain cells in Alzheimer's patients, interacts with a common blood clotting agent to increase clotting in the arteries that feed the brain. Such activity could cut off blood flow to neurons, suffocating them over time. A drug that interferes with that process could reduce the memory loss and dementia that are the most wrenching consequences of the disease, the findings suggest.More
Seniors Are Flocking to Social Media
One in Every 4.5 Minutes Online Spent On Social Media
The stats are amazing when it comes to the popularity of social media such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. Facebook is the 2nd most visited website. Nielsen recently released a report that says the world people spend 110 billion minutes on social network and blog sites.
Nielsen asked how much time the average visitor spends on each of these sites, accounting for 22 percent of all the time spent online or one in every four and half minutes.
"Also, social networking and blog sites were visited by 75% of all global consumers who go online. Brazil has the highest percentage of social networking users at 86%, Italy comes in second at 78%.
These figures show an online population who *loves* social networking and craves to be connected to friends and colleagues. Also, it shows that blogs and social networks continue to be great channels for getting the word out for organizations and brands."
Most seniors who engage in social media found out about it from their children or grandchildren. One of the things seniors really enjoy about Facebook is the ability to read their friends' wall and be kept up today with what friends and families are sharing with each other - they no longer have to wait to be informed.
How has Facebook's Popularity spread so quickly with today's seniors? Word of Mouth - still one of the best forms of advertising around.
From CreatingResults:
The overwhelming majority of these boomers are using the social web — at least to some degree — to keep in touch with family members. Almost three quarters of AARP’s survey group said they’re connected online to relatives other than children and grandchildren, 62% are connected to their children and 36% are connected to grandchildren, as well.
AARP has released new research into the social networking/social media and technology use of Baby Boomers and 65+ seniors. The upshot: Americans over 50 are definitely not technophobic. And, social networking is on the rise, with 27% of Boomers/seniors using social media websites. Consistent with older consumers’ desires for connections offline, the report finds that they are most often connected to – and most often motivated to join social networks by – their family.
Highlights from AARP’s Social Media Research
* 47% of Boomers and seniors originally heard about social networking from a family member other than their spouse.
* 70 percent of 50+ers first heard about social media from a child or grandchild.
* 24% of Boomers and seniors who are active in social networks were introduced to it by friends.
* Women were more likely than men to be introduced by family members (60% to 29%).
* Among adults 50+ who use social media websites, 73 percent are connected to relatives other than children and grandchildren. 62% are connected to their children. 36 percent are connected to grandchildren.
* Facebook was most popular among AARP’s respondents – 23% of their 50+ social networkers used this site. LinkedIn was #3, with 4% and Twitter clocked in at #4, with 3% of respondents using or visiting the microblogging service. Interestingly (and most likely driven by grandchildren) 4% had MySpace accounts."
And don’t forget, many of these older Americans probably have the loot to spend on high-tech gadgets, if they so choose. Of the 1,360 respondents, 83% knew about the iPad, and 11-14% said they planned to purchase one. Two percent said they’d already bought an iPad.
If you’re in the age-50-and-older crowd, do you use the social web, and why? Is keeping in touch with family an important part of your online routine?
Helping Your Children Learn to Deal with their Aging Parents
Most of us never thought we'd need assistance from our children nor did most of them ever anticipate they'd be assisting us as we age. When this role reversal happens, it can lead to conflict and confusion. Help your children learn to deal with this new role by opening communicating your plans and needs while realizing compromises are both sides are often needed.
Prepare your family for this new role. Your children and their spouses should be aware of your plans and actively participate when they can.
Remind them that development doesn't stop as we age, we all continue to learn and change throughout our lifetime.You are now different than you were when you were raising them and have different interests.
Try to look at their concerns from their perspective and help them to understand your concerns as your world changes and "shrinks". Remind them that the only thing worse than change is change you have no control over. Be sure to help them understand that you still need control over many things in your day to day life and that your goal is to have the highest level of independence possible. When you need additional assistance, try to be the first one to vocalize that need.
Inform them where your essential paperwork is kept... health plans, money management, medical records, - let them know who your doctors are and what medications you take. Visit your attorney and get your affairs in order - have a medical power of attorney set up and someone appointed to take care of your finances if and when you are not able to do so.
Be proactive and do what it takes to maintain the best health possible - nothing is more important when it comes to making a difference in our quality of life as we age.
Maintain a positive attitude and be grateful for their help and assistance. It is not easy for adult children to watch their parents age - often they are pulled in many directions with their own families, spouses, work, etc.
Thank them often - it makes both of you feel better.
Do It Yourself - Old Fashioned Weddings and Parties
This site is one of my favorites and it is just out and out pretty, like looking at Victoria magazine. I could spend hours "browsing" through this type of site - especially the "Do It Yourself" section.
If you have a family member with a wedding coming up you'll enjoy it even more!
Grab a glass of lemonade and spend some time here - lots of beautiful photos, great ideas and information.
http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/blog/category/diy/
Monach Butterfly Metamorphosis
Lifecycle of the Monarch Butterfly from Duncan Scott on Vimeo.
Summer Heat and Seniors
● Dress appropriately. Wear loose-fitting clothes in natural fabrics like cotton and dress in light colors that will reflect the sun and heat instead of darker colors that will attract them.
● When outdoors, protect your skin from damage by wearing hats, sunglasses and a sunscreen of 30 SPF or more.
● Stay indoors during extreme heat. Head DOWNSTAIRS since hot air rises, the upper stories of a home will be warmer than the ground floor. A basement can be a wonderful cool refuge from the midday heat. Remember that pets also suffer in high heat. Give your pet a cool bath or shower to help keep their body temperature down. A cool towel on the floor to lay on or one laying over their skin is also helpful, make sure they too have plenty of cool water do drink. Watch your pet for signs of heat stroke... hot skin, excessive drooling, vomiting, twitching muscles - call the vet if you think your pet has heat stroke.
● If you need to get out of the house and don't drive a car, call a taxi, a friend or a transportation service. Do NOT wait outside for your ride in extreme heat.
● If you are absolutely unable to leave the house and do not have air conditioning, take a cool bath or shower to lower your body temperature on extremely hot days. Consider making a "homemade air conditioner" sit in the path of box fan that is aimed at an open cooler filled with ice. Spritz yourself all over and often with cool water..
● Temperatures inside the home should not exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit for prolonged periods of time. Use box fans and ceiling fan to circulate the air... closing windows and curtains during the day. At night, open windows so the hot air inside can escape and the cooler night air can enter. Consider using buckets of water to soak your feet in to cool down... a wet towel around your neck and on your forehead can also help cool you down. Stay ahead of this... once you are overheated it is very hard to cool down quickly.
● Know the signs of heat stroke (e.g flushed face, high body temperature, headache, nausea, rapid pulse, dizziness and confusion) and take immediate action if you feel them coming on
Beware of nutritional information
Pay close attention to nutritional labels - they can be very misleading. What looks like one serving may actually be calculated as 3 servings - many manufacturers "adjust" serving size to manipulate the nutritional value per serving, despite the fact that the serving size is considerably smaller than what is considered standard. ( Some deli sandwiches are labeled as 3 servings).
Or you might read a recipe that lists "2 sticks of margarine or butter". The nutritional information will read '0' cholesterol because the nutritional values for recipes are calculated using the first ingredient when two ingredients are given. For example, when it says "margarine or butter", the nutritional are calculated using margarine. If butter were listed first, it would be calculated using butter.
Consumer beware and educate yourself.
Harry Potter's Butterbeer - How to Make it & Other Harry Potter Recipes
If you have a grandchild that is a Harry Potter fan, they may get a kick out of this recipe for ButterBeer - I understand it is a very popular at Disney World and can be made several different ways since there really isn't an official recipe.
Butterbeer is a very popular drink in the Harry Potter series – a nonalcoholic liquid confection that is described as “a little bit like less-sickly butterscotch.” It’s served cold or hot, in foaming tankards. The name refers to the butterscotch used to flavor it.
Butterbeer
- 1 cup (8 oz) club soda or cream soda
- ½ cup (4 oz) butterscotch syrup (ice cream topping)
- ½ tablespoon butter
- Scoop of Vanilla ice cream (optional)
Step 1: Measure butterscotch and butter into a 2 cup (16 oz) glass. Microwave on high for 1 to 1½ minutes, or until syrup is bubbly and butter is completely incorporated.
Step 2: Stir and cool for 30 seconds, then slowly mix in club soda. Mixture will fizz quite a bit.
Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream (optional)
Step 3: Serve in two coffee mugs or small glasses; a perfectly warm Hogwarts treat for two!
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Make Your Own Cleaners from Mary Jane Farm
Many people are looking for healthier alternatives to chemical cleaners.
http://planetgreen.discovery.com/home-garden/buy-cleaning-supplies.html
Alka-Seltzer - it's not just for heartburn
1.Cleaning the Toilet - simply drop two tablets in, wait 20 minutes for the citric acid to loosen the grime, scrub and flush.
2. To Clean Burnt Food Off Glass Cookware: drop 5 tablets in a sink full of hot water. Soak your cookware for about an hour and the burnt food should come off easily. ( Baking Soda is cheaper and works just as well).
3. Polish Your Jewelry: put two tablets in a bowl of warm water. Let your jewelry (do not use for pearls or opals) soak for about 20 minutes. It will come out looking brand new.
4. Catching Fish -: put a tablet inside your tube jig and cast off. Fish love bubbles, so they will gravitate toward the fizzing.
5. Clean a Coffee Percolator - Fill the water chamber and drop in two tablets, then run a cycle. This will clean out all the internal components. Run through another plain water cycle before using the machine again for coffee
6. Cure Urinary Tract Infections - Take two tablets in a glass of water as soon as you notice symptoms. Results are almost immediate. Keep in mind that Aspirin is a main ingredient in Alka-Seltzer so those with Aspirin allergies shouldn't use it.
7. Soothe Insect Bites - Drop two tablets in warm water, then soak a cotton ball in the solution. Apply it to the infected area for 30 minutes for relief from the insect bites.
8. Unclog the Sink - A great natural solution for unclogging the drain! Drop 3 tablets down the drain, followed by a 1/2 cup of vinegar. Let the hot water run for 5 minutes and you'll have a clear drain. This will also work to deodorize the drain.
National Do Not Mail List
It is estimated that 100 million trees are used to send junkmail to Americans every year. Junk Mail is a massive business, and it has a massive affect on the environment. Sign up to you local mail preference service and bin the junk!
Consumers should know that there is a solution to unwanted advertising mail, and that solution is DMAchoice.org. The Direct Marketing Association's DMAchoice (www.dmachoice.org) free online website, is among the offerings that enable consumers to remove their names from marketing lists.
DMAchoice is a powerful consumer preference service allowing consumers to truly manage their mail - providing tools for a mailbox makeover. Through DMAchoice, consumers can choose - from among categories of advertisements or individual businesses - what commercial communications they receive in their mail and email boxes, and thus, get more of the mail they want and less of what they do not want. Moreover, the site will stop most direct mail solicitations and reduce mail volumes by up to 80 percent.
Keep in mind, some advertising mail is very welcome, especially if it contains promotions and bargains during these challenging economic times…and shopping directly is convenient. Consumers would be well-advised to think before they cut themselves off completely from this helpful information. Direct marketers work very hard to make sure they only reach customers who would be interested in their products; they want to work hand-in-hand with consumers to honor their requests.
Calling for the elimination of advertising mail will only hurt jobs and stifle economic growth in these already challenging economic times. Keep in mind that direct mail represents $702 billion in US sales while supporting jobs at over 300,000 US small businesses. In fact, we have more trees today than 70 years ago more than 4 million are planted every day -- more than 1.2 billion per year.
Everything $6 Sale @ BRC
EVERYTHING $6 Sale*
*(almost everything)
July 15 11 AM - 6 PM
July 16 9 AM - 2 PM
Brick Room - Brethren Retirement Community
Mark your calendar – Everything $6 Sale will be set up in the Brick Room on our campus.
They will have a large selection of items to choose from - watches, handbags, fashion jewelry,
scarves, belts, socks, wallets, reading glasses, kids items etc.
Proceeds benefit Eden Alternative Fund.
Adaptive Clothing For Seniors
I checked to see if they would come to Greenville and they will not ........but you can order from their web site
http://www.clothesforseniors.com/
Cooking with Grandkids- A B C Twists
I am a big fan of King Arthur Flour and their recipes, kits, etc.
One of their Cooking with Kids kits I think is a great idea is the ABC Twists Kit.... the soft dough kids like is shaped into letters of the alphabet and baked... no rising time needed.
Click here to be taken to their web site and the kits
How iPhone Applications Can Save YOU Money
If you think that iPhones are out of reach for a frugal person in these tough, economic times, think again, they can actually SAVE you money! If you currently own one or plan to buy one soon, check out the applications listed below to keep more of your hard-earned cash! I am not the least bit technical but my children are....I've found it's easier to find someone net savvy to download and install these applications....then have them teach YOU how to work them!
iXpenselt - you can very easily track your expenses.
It's an amazing application to manage your money. You simply enter your monthly budget in it and it will graphically display your purchases by putting them in several categories. It is also possible to store digital photos of receipts in iXpenselt. The concept behind it is - those who can easily organize their money well will have more of it to spend and invest.
Coupon Sherpa: the premise is quite simple: It displays a list of retail businesses, and tapping through you can see available coupons for each store. From there, you can tap the coupon, and it loads in the Safari browser. You’d present your iPhone to the cashier, who can scan the coupon off the iPhone screen with an optical scanner, or simply punch in the barcode.
Frugal Golf GPS:
Frugal Golf GPS by MapMuse is an inexpensive and simple to use tool that uses the iPhone’s built-in GPS to give golfers real-time yardage from their ball to any pin marked on the golf course.
This app is for DIY (do it yourself) individuals. Simply use the app to create a course by marking and saving pin positions either prior to play or while on the golf course. You can mark center of greens, front and back of greens, and hazards. Once you have marked a course there is no need to do it again but you can edit your pin positions whenever you want.While playing simply select a pre-marked pin to get an accurate distance from your current location to that pin. You can also manually refine your current position by selecting manual mode. Simply move your ball to get the yardage to the currently selected pin position.
If you are familiar with the course it should take less than 10 minutes to set up a course. Otherwise you can go to the course’s website and view the course layout to identify green locations. As examples we have marked the center of greens for two famous courses: Pebble Beach Golf Links and Augusta National Golf Club, home of the Masters.
Stanza -
Download Stanza, the premier e-reader and access over 40,000 books and articles through this application. It's not FREE - but Stanza charges you much less than the bookstores. If you are a voracious reader and buy a huge number of books, then consider this application to save a lot of money
Bill Tracker - It manages all your bills in one place. You can be aware of all your payment related things through this nice application. Time to say bye-bye to late fees
Cheap Gas - This application is completely FREE. Now you can easily search to find the cheapest gas in your area just by entering your zip code. Cheap Gas will provide you with a list of gas stations and gas prices in your area.
Debt Tracker Pro - It manages all your bills in one place. You can be aware of all your payment related things through this nice application. Time to say bye-bye to late fees
Truphone - lets you make free calls over a Wi-Fi network. Now you can make calls to other connected Truphone, skype, Gtalk users for free no matter where you are in the world. Truphone uses VOIP technologies. It can help you to reduce your monthly telephone bill in a major way.
BetterDeal This 99-cent application lets you compare prices of packages to see which is, well, the better deal.
Grocery Gadget: A Review from FinanceDad.com - “With Grocery Gadget and Grocery Gadget Lite, say goodbye to paper shopping lists! The Grocery Gadget shopping list applications for iPhone and iPod Touch are perfect for the household member who regularly shops at supermarkets, pharmacies, convenience stores, office supply vendors, or any other provider of consumable goods.
Save time and money by preparing and managing reusable lists that are always at your our fingertips. Easily arrange list items in the same order you keep them at home, so you can quickly zip through your pantry, refrigerator, bathroom, laundry room, etc. and easily mark items for purchase.
Describe a list item in precise detail, by taking a photo that’s worth a thousand words. With the Grocery Gadget, you’ll create quick photo-enabled shopping lists that get you through the supermarket in record time; even if someone else has created the list.”
Kids Eat Free:
Designed to be the fastest and easiest way to look up the days restaurants near you have cheap or free kids’ meals.Information on what deals are available is completely user-managed, so if your area does not list anything, please enter it. It takes less than a minute to add a new entry.
Fring
This applications will let you make free local calls over a Wifi network. You can even make cheap international calls, which can help cut down on your monthly phone bills. Best of all, this app is currently free for download.
Mint.com:
This cool app allows you to track your budget and finances with the tap of a finger and while you’re on the go and away from your computer.
Leave the rat race behind and head for Kelly's Island
Take a trip to an island where there is NOTHING TO DO except enjoy the day...
Kelleys Island, Ohio USA
Located on Lake Erie between Cleveland and Toledo.
Just a 20-30 min. ferry ride from Marblehead, Put-in-Bay, Sandusky or Cedar Point
From their web site
There is not much here, not even a traffic light. This is a place where you can take your time... there is nowhere to go in a hurry. This appx. 4 mi. x 4 mi. island (commonly referred to as the Emerald Isle) has only your basics; beach, campgrounds, 2 grocery stores, few restaurant / bars, one winery, one microbrew pub, one coffee house, one mini-golf, one game arcade, and a bit of shopping. There is only one public restroom but not downtown of course, so be nice and buy a coke (or something stronger!) after you are obliged to use the facilities at one of the restaurant establishment (since, they have to take up the slack for the lack of village support in this area). We do have housing in the form of Bed and Breakfasts and Condos, no fancy hotels here... yet!http://www.caddyshacksquare.com/PressRelease.htm
10 Gardening Lessons Learned the Hard Way
From the Wall Street Journal - hopefully you will read these before you start on this year's garden projects.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704117304575137913236776010.html?mod=WSJ_Real+Estate_LeftTopNews
Recipes for the Fourth of July
Looking for recipes and ideas for the Fourth of July?
The Ultimate Baked Beans
Dessert - Why not go to BTO Yogurt on Wagner Avenue in Greenville and get a bowl of that frozen treat topped with all your favorite toppings?
ELDERTREKS - Designed for People Over 50
A WORLD OF EXOTIC ADVENTURE TRAVEL FOR THE OVER 50 TRAVELER
ELDERTREKS is the world's first adventure travel company designed exclusively for people 50 and over.
It was established in 1987 and offeres, offers active, off-the-beaten-path, small-group adventures by both land and sea in over 100 countries.
ElderTreks offers wildlife and tribal African safaris, active hiking trips to the Rockies, Himalayas and Andes, expeditions by icebreakers to the Arctic and Antarctic and cultural journeys throughout Asia, South America and much of the world.
They invite you to browse through their website, request a catalogue or give them a call... their web site says a real person will always answer during business hours. Don't forget to sign up for their newsletter while you're visiting their web site!
ElderTreks - Click Here
Take a Peek Inside BRC's Shuff Adult Day Center
Caregiving is hard work. It is sacred work. Sometimes your loved one needs additional socialization and sometimes caregivers need a break to run errands, go the doctor, etc. We are here to help.
Shuff Adult Day Center opened in March of 2010 on the campus of Brethren Retirement Community -
Take a peek inside the Shuff Adult Day Center - then give us a call to schedule a tour or learn more about how we can work with you and your loved one.
http://brethrenhomecommunityservices.blogspot.com/2010/06/take-peek-inside-our-shuff-adult-center.html
Easy Summer Recipes
Ranch Dressing... who doesn't love it? Seems it is America's favorite dressing. Not only do I use it for salad dressing, I cook with it - use it for dips, entrees, appetizers and bread. I prefer the dry mix over the ready made ranch dressing and I've watched the cost climb over the years.
Here is a recipe to make your own (dry) homemade buttermilk ranch dressing mix and keep a few nickles in your pocket.
"http://coconutlime.blogspot.com/2010/06/homemade-buttermilk-ranch-dry-mix.html"
The video below has some quick summer recipes with things most of us have on hand.
New Study Shows Happiness May Come With Age
Check it out - Click here to read the New York Times article.
Seniors Fighting Fraud Workshop by Ohio Attorney General's Office
Brethren Retirement Community will host an educational seminar, titled, “Plan Well, Live Well: Seniors Fighting Fraud” workshop on Wednesday, June 30th at 10:30am in the Brick Room. This informative seminar will be presented by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.
The seminar will include information on the latest scams targeting seniors, tips to fight fraud and a wealth of information on insurance, investments, consumer transactions and long term care.
This seminar is free and open to the public but reservations are required to 937-547-7655.
Refreshments will be served.
Summer Delight: Lemon-Walnut Bread
Summer Delight: Lemon-Walnut Bread
Another wonderful recipe from Alison Lewis from the web site, Ingredients, Inc. I am one of her biggest fans. I've never had anything of hers that I did not like.