What you should know about protein powders

Spring is here, it's smoothie season. Many of us make protein shakes for a meal or snack.......but you need to bone up on the facts about protein powders and learn how to select the best one for you.

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Golf Over 50

Who knew?

This web site has everything for the Baby Boomer Golfer and Senior Golfers... including a newsletter, travel destinations for golf, warm up videos, techniques, etc.

http://www.golfover50.com/

John Maxwell Video - "The Secret of Success"

Highly Successful People - have discovered WHY they were born

Quotes - Learning to Treat Yourself Well

“The more you extend kindness to yourself, the more it will become your automatic response to others.”

~Dr. Wayne Dyer



“If you had a friend that talked to you the way you sometimes talk to yourself, would you continue to hang around that person?”   ~ Jan Bolick

Homemade Popsicles

Who doesn't like popsicles? Remember the days when you made the home popsicles in the Tupperware molds? Those days are gone... but this site has several recipes for homemade popsicles that you make in 3 oz cups with sticks you pick up at your local Dollar Store.

Click here

Your Credit Report - FREE

Your Credit Report ~You don’t have to pay for your credit report. You could sign up for one of the free credit monitoring services online to get a quick look at your credit report. You just have to remember to cancel the service before the end of the free trial. You can go here to view all three of your credit reports www.AnnualCreditReports.com once a year for free.

Time to Declutter

We all like to collect and often our "stuff" ends up in the garage, basement, corner of a room, etc.

It's time to declutter, this video has some great tips.
http://bcove.me/1padhmem

Linguine Spinach Salad

1 (12 ounce) package farfalle pasta or linguine noodles - cooked

10 ounces baby spinach, rinsed and torn into bite-size piece

2 ounces crumbled feta cheese with basil and tomato

1 red onion, sliced
3/4 cup Sun-dried tomatoes - washed and drained
Olive oil (about 1/2 cup)
1 cup Italian-style salad dressing

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup Pine Nuts - toasted


1 lemon, juiced

1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper


1.Soak washed sun dried tomatoes in 1/2 cup of EVOO for about 30 mins.

After soaked, remove tomatoes from EVOO and chop into tiny pieces. Place chopped sun-dried tomatoes in a large mixing bowl.

In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta until al dente, rinse under cold water and drain.

2.In a large bowl, combine the pasta, spinach, cheese, red onion.

3.Whisk together the salad dressing, garlic, lemon juice, garlic salt and pepper. Pour over salad and toss. Refrigerate for 2 hours and serve chilled.

Senior Citizens League -2011 Best Ways to Save Guide

The Senior Citizens League is offering a free new consumer guide: “2011 Best Ways To Save.”

The nonprofit Washington-based advocacy group says that the majority of seniors rely on Social Security for at least one-half of their retirement income.

But with average monthly Social Security benefits only $1,074 and no annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) this year, millions of retirees are watching their monthly costs climb while their Social Security benefits shrink from higher Medicare premiums and other costs.

The guide can suggest some strategies.

The new issue of “Best Ways to Save” suggests:
* Six Steps For Getting Six Month’s Worth of Prescription medications for the cost of two months.

* How To Make Smarter Tax Decisions. Recent health care legislation reduces the amount of health care costs that seniors will be able to deduct on their income tax returns. Learn about this little-known new tax increase and a strategy to help maximize your health care deductions.

* New Free Medicare preventive benefits sounded so good on the TV news, but those “free” new preventive benefits come with strings attached. Learn about those free preventive services and what you need to do to prevent unexpected extra charges.

* The Three Biggest Expenses to Downsize In Retirement – Many seniors are careful shoppers, spending hours clipping coupons and comparing costs when they do their grocery shopping. But spending time on these three big costs will help ensure more sustainable living expenses over the long haul.

* How To Grow Your Initial Retirement Benefit By 8% Per Year Until Age 70. If you have the choice, learn how delaying your retirement benefit can result in a more adequate benefit and pay a return today’s CDs and bonds can’t touch.

To request a free copy, send $1 for postage and handling to: The Senior Citizens League, ATTN: BWTS, 1001 N. Fairfax St., #101, Alexandria, VA 22314. Or visit TSCL on the web at www.SeniorsLeague.org.

Easy Refreshing Punch Recipe

I'm passing this recipe along. Not only is it a keeper, it's easy, refreshing and delicious!

I made it for my future daughter-in-law's bridal shower.

1/2 gallon orange sherbet
6 oz of thawed orange juice concentrate
2 Liter bottle of Ginger Ale

Ice

Combine all together in a large punch bowl... allow 15 - 20 minutes for the sherbet to soften - stir all together and serve.

Sleep Phones - Snoring Solutions - relaxation

http://www.sleepphones.com/SleepPhones_Explained

John Maxwell - The Secret to Overcoming Failure Everybody Ought to Learn

“Too many people are having what might be called ‘near-life experiences.’ They go through life bunting, so afraid of failure that they never try to win the big prizes, never knowing the thrill of hitting a home run or even taking a swing at one. Don’t let the fear of failure stop you.”

“People who are stopped by failure see it from a personal perspective. People who are not stopped by failure see it from a process perspective. It may not be your fault for being down, but it is your fault for not getting up.”

~John C. Maxwell

John C. Maxwell, Born 1947, is an internationally respected leadership expert, speaker, and author who has sold more than 18 million books. Dr. Maxwell is the founder of EQUIP, a non-profit organization that has trained more than 5 million leaders in 126 countries worldwide.

Each year he speaks to the leaders of diverse organizations, such as Fortune 500 companies, foreign governments, the National Football League, the United States Military Academy at West Point, and the United Nations.

His latest book is Everyone Communicates, Few Connect: What the Most Effective People Do Differently

Avoid Airline Baggage Fees

The airlines love the revenue the baggage fees produce - we hate paying that fee and some people refuse to fly altogether because of the baggage fee.

Did you know you can avoid paying the Airline Baggage Fee? It takes a little bit of planning and educating yourself but it can be done.

For the full story, click here

Light Wedge Reading Lights

http://www.lightwedge.com/Shop/Reading-Lights

ADU - Would you consider this living option in your retirement years?

Auxiliary Dwelling Units......also know as "granny flats"  - are popping up all over the country and down under. I think they are a clever and unique solution to caring for older adults "in their own home" that is right in your backyard - literally!

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Join AARP in the fight to keep Social Security strong

For more than 50 years, AARP has been fighting to protect and strengthen Social Security. Now, we're launching a conversation about how to strengthen it so future generations will receive the benefits they've earned when they're ready to retire. With shrinking pensions, dwindling savings and longer life expectancies, we know that future generations will depend on Social Security even more.


Social Security: More Than You Might Think


Many people do not realize how valuable Social Security is to them. On average, an individual would have to save an additional $300,000 while working to replace the benefits Social Security provides in retirement.

Independent investments, pensions, individual retirement accounts and 401(k) accounts are all important parts of retirement savings, but Social Security is the guaranteed base of retirement security for most Americans. In fact, couples on average can expect about $22,000 per year in Social Security benefits.

Social Security is the most successful program in our nation's history, and we need to make the modest changes necessary to strengthen the guaranteed benefit for both current and future generations

To keep informed about the fight to keep Social Security strong, click here

Seafood Watch

Nearly 75% of the world's fisheries are fished to capacity, or overfished. Our seafood choices have the power to make this situation worse, or improve it. Seafood Watch recommendations don’t hinge on any single issue. Instead, they consider the fishery, habitat, species, management, and a host of other factors that affect each species. In this way, Seafood Watch offers a complete vision of sustainability.

Their website offers a complete list of Seafood Watch recommendations, with background information. THey also print handy, condensed pocket guides that consumers can use when shopping or dining out. Pocket guides are available for six regions of the U.S.: West Coast, Southwest, Central U.S., Southeast, Northeast and Hawaii. Each contains a short list of recommendations for the most popular items in that region. Additionally, they have national and sushi versions of the pocket guides.

All guides are updated every six months. They offer applications for iPhones and other mobile devices.

Click here

Dream Essentials

Another resource for those who have a hard time sleeping... falling asleep or staying asleep.

Included in the many resources they offer are products for those who suffer from a condition known as 'dry eye".

http://www.dreamessentials.com/a_mask_tranquileyes.aspx

Which fruit and veggies should you be buying organic?

Which fruit and veggies should you buy organic ?

Here is a list of the "Dirty Dozen" - consider spending the extra money on them to cut down on pesticides.

1. Celery
2. Peaches
3. Strawberries
4. Apples
5. Blueberries
6. Nectarines
7. Bell Peppers
8. Spinach
9. Kale
10. Cherries
11. Potatoes
12. Grapes

Mental Workout

Mental Workout is on a mission to make psychology available to people at any time from anywhere. In early 2009, Mental Workout ignited the self-mentorship revolution on the mobile platform with award-winning iPhone® apps developed in partnership with world-renowned experts and market-leading organizations. Today, Mental Workout continues to lead the industry with its multi-device programs for reducing stress, sleeping better, overcoming fears, and increasing happiness. Mental Workout is continuously adapting the latest scientific research that gives people the confidence and tools to improve their lives.

http://www.mentalworkout.com

The Sleep Doctor

Sleeping is important - especially if you are prone to suffer from insomnia, like I do.

I discovered The Sleep Doctor online - Dr Michael Breus - check out his sight, it has a lot of information about how your brain works while you're sleeping and other interesting articles.

If you join his mailing list you are rewarded with a link for a file to download that is a relaxation exercise.

http://www.thesleepdoctor.com/

Free Pedometer App for Iphone

StepTrakLite - A great FREE APP

The most popular software pedometer for the iPhone and iPod Touch is back in the App Store and avalable world-wide

Why download StepTrakLite?

- StepTrakLite is accurate
StepTrakLite is a very accurate pedometer. Whether you are strolling, walking or running, STL will count each step.

StepTrakLite distinguishes between running and walking steps, making it great for run-walk interval training or those who combine walking and running in a workout.
Upload your exercise journal directly to MapMyWalk or post your steps to Twitter. StepTrakLite makes it easy to record your workouts and share them with friends.

- StepTrakLite measures more than just steps
If your workout program includes more than just steps, we can handle that too. StepTrakLite will measure the duration of your workout and tell you how much moderate and vigorous exercise you've gotten.

- StepTrakLite works almost anywhere on your body
Just about anywhere you wear your iPhone or iPod Touch, StepTrakLite will work: In your pocket, on your belt, on your upper arm -- even in a purse or backpack. In most cases you won't even have to adjust your settings.

- StepTrakLite is free
Why pay $1.99 for another pedometer when you can get this one and still be two-thirds of the way to a latte? Mmm, latte.

Got more questions? We have an extensive FAQ and manual, and an online support community at StepTrakLite.ning.com

Download StepTrakLite today and start tracking your exercise!

NOTE: Due to Apple policy, StepTrakLite only runs in the foreground. (iPhone OS disables the accelerometer when the device is locked.) You can play your music by starting your iPod application first.

Yes, there are other applications that run with the device locked. They don't require the accelerometer.

There is absolutely nothing we can do to fix this problem without violating our developer agreement. Please, no more negative reviews about this limitation -- we would fix it if we could.

What's new

StepTrakLite 1.2.1 adds an integrated help feature, making it even easier to use. Just click the StepTrakLite "i" button at the upper left of the Count, Tweet, or Settings tab to get quick feature-specific help.

In addition to the integrated help feature, other minor changes have been made to enhance the usability and stability of the application.

50 Best Chocolate Recipes

Who can't use 50 great chocolate recipes?  I know they always appeal to me!

Click here - no calories are consumed while browsing.

Water Bottle Sprinkler

I think this is a clever idea  - use a water bottle, large or small, to make a "sprinkler bottle" - simply put holes in the lid, and an elderly person who can not lift much weight (or a grandchild) can sprinkle plants, often this small joy makes them feel they are giving back by tending to something living.

If you read through the notes, you will see they recommend heating a needle to go through the plastic - or, depending on the size of the holes, use a thumb tack or small drill bit.

Easy!

http://www.instructables.com/id/Water-bottle-sprinkler-cap/

Wine Bottle Garden

Looking for an unique edging idea to add more color to your garden? Consider this wine bottle garden - bottles are used for the border and little ferns and plants actually grow inside them!

http://greenupgrader.com/12786/flickr-find-wine-bottle-garden/

Moss Graffiti - How Cool is This?

Imagine these gorgeous Moss Graffiti Murals in YOUR town! They require very little water.


http://greenupgrader.com/3471/diy-green-graffiti-making-moss-murals/

Instructions how to grow moss

Make sure to get a moss that is specific for the amount of direct sunlight it will receive in the location you use it..

Bird Feeder to Make with Grandkids

This a quick and inexpensive way to make a bird feeder with your grandkids. In no time, you will be spoon-feeding your winged neighbors!

Materials

Clean 1-liter soda bottle
Craft knife
2 wooden spoons
small eye screw
Length of twine for hanging



Instructions

Start by drawing a 1/2-inch asterisk on the side of a clean 1-liter soda bottle, about 4 inches from the bottom. Rotate the bottle a quarter turn and draw another asterisk 2 inches from the bottom. Draw a 1-inch-wide circle opposite each asterisk.

Use a craft knife to slit the asterisk lines and cut out the circles (grandparent's job).
Insert a wooden spoon handle first through each hole and then through the opposite asterisk, as shown.

Remove the bottle cap and twist a small eye screw into the top of it for hanging.

Using a funnel, fill your feeder with birdseed, recap it, and use a length of twine to hang it from a tree.

Enjoy watchinng your new feathered friends!

How to Take As Much as Possible In Your Carry-on At The Airport

I know this wouldn't work for me but your mileage may vary.....and some Boomers may get a few ideas from this video.