What an attractive fruit, hanging on its vine, like purple and green decorations.  The various colors bring appetizing appeal as one chooses which to buy. – Green, light purple, dark purple, small, larger?

Since antiquity grapes have been known to have therapeutic virtues.  They were eaten to fight against various illnesses like gout and obesity, and they aid in digestion because of the fiber found in the seeds. Many people do a grape cure to clean out the body.  Rich in minerals, grapes have a good amount of iron and potassium as well as vitamins A, B and C.

Grapes should be stored in a cool place like the refrigerator or cellar if not eaten right away.

As sugar is an important part of the fruit, grapes are utilized as an anti-fatigue cure as well.  They bring a lot of energy to the body at a time when one might be feeling lethargic.

Then, of course, there is wine, beneficial for cardio-vascular conditions, which is produced from grapes.  Furthermore, as a food, stuffed vine leaves are a delicacy.  Picked from the vine, the leaves are prepared by boiling and then can be stuffed with whatever one chooses.

Now that you know their benefits, add grapes to your shopping list and feel invigorated.

Grandma Nature

Christy Rutherford, 61, Sequim, Washington

I think Age Esteem is feeling good about yourself at any age no matter what age you are.

I’m not really concerned about growing older.  I just want to continue to grow and getting old is just part of the process.  It’s not something that I am concerned about.  I’m loving every part of my life and this is just a new part of my life. – Something to look forward to.

Christy’s Tips:  I do what I love and I love what I do.  It’s really true.  Every day I get up with the idea about asking what would you have me do today and what is it I’m supposed to be doing today?  That would be either to help my family, myself, or someone else.  I just go with my impressions.  Sometimes I don’t, but when I do I feel better about myself.  If I don’t, I give myself good excuses like I deserve to take a break and do just what I feel like today.

Keep a positive attitude.  Don’t worry about how you look and what other people think about what you are or who you are.  Be grateful for every single day and for every person you come into contact with and even for the difficulties you have. Even the difficulties make you a stronger person.

Christy Rutherford teaches youth and children drama skills and theater skills.

« Home is where the heart is, »

Home is there to start this

New day with a smile…

Everything’s worthwhile !

Even all the simple things :

Household tasks (like bathtub rings !)

Can be better than they seem

If you face Age with Esteem.

Written by Alexandra Taylor for AgeEsteem®

What could be more beautiful than flowers?  Their colors, their perfume, their shapes: everything regarding flowers is a true gift of nature.  They provide decorations in a home, color in a garden, gifts for people when happy, sad, healthy or sick.  What would we do without flowers?

And yet, as if this gift were not enough, they can be used in cooking as well.  Many chefs, famous and not so famous, have begun adding flowers to their meals.  Not all flowers are edible.  In fact, some are poisonous but the following ones may be eaten without fear:  nasturtiums, pansies, bachelor buttons, violets, freesias, marigold, roses and snap dragons.

For a long time cooks would add a flower or two on a plate for decoration. Today they are added in the actual food giving not only color but taste.  Arugula flowers are very popular for this because of their peppery and spicy taste.

Lavender flowers are a delight when incorporated in a cake or lemonade, emitting a delectable scent and flowery taste.  Red rose petals in a green salad delight the eyes.  The stems of hostas are consumed steamed or raw in Japan where they are sold at markets.

So to beautify your cuisine and have unusual tastes, add edible flowers, and you will feel as though you are dining in heaven!

Grandma Nature

Philip Selby, Yorkshire, England and Geneva, Switzerland

I imagine Age Esteem is about trying to help people to accept their age and to accept their values without regarding age as a negative, because many people regard age in a negative light. This is what I call ageism.

One of my personal concerns is to try and keep fit physically and mentally.  I’ve always been interested in physical exercise and sports so I try to continue my physical exercise by running long distances which I enjoy and I try to keep my mind busy mainly through learning new languages.  At the moment I’m learning Chinese.  I’ve been to China a couple of times.  I hope to go back and I’m struggling to learn Mandarin which is a big challenge.  It is far more difficult than other languages I’ve learned, including Russian and Hebrew.

One of my fears is that I will injure myself running and that I will have to curtail my running, so I have to try to adapt my exercise in such a way that I reduce the possibility of damaging my joints.  I think a lot of people who go in for long distance running don’t consider the impact it can have on the back, the hips, the knees.  I try to run within my limits.

Philip’s Tips:  I would say forget about your age, because I believe our chronological age should not affect how we feel about ourselves.  I would say we should do the things we want to do, to do the things that we enjoy and not regard age as a barrier or as an excuse.  I don’t think it’s an excuse to say that I can’t do such and such, I can’t run a half marathon because I’m too old.  If you have a physical disability, if you’re sick, if you have a problem with your knees for example then maybe you can’t run a half marathon but I don’t think age in itself is enough reason not to do what we enjoy doing.

Another piece of advice is to read my book about aging which gives advice on a wide range of topics helping to achieve successful aging.  By that I mean reaching an advanced age and still to be active physically and mentally and to be able to play a part in society and to have good relations with one’s friends and one’s family, to have avoided accidents and to have taken care of one’s finances.  There are many things one can consider from middle age which I would say is about 40ish in order to achieve successful aging.

I don’t really run to compete. I realize that I’m probably too old and not fit enough to do that, but I do enjoy taking part in long-distance runs in particular when there are a lot of runners and a great atmosphere.  Two runs which I enjoy very much are annual runs: The Matterhornlauf which takes place in August running from Zermatt in the Valais in Switzerland with a 1000 meters increase in height to Schwarzsee, and the other is the Great North Run which is a half Marathon in Newcastle in the UK with about 50,000 people taking part.  One of the great things about it is that all the runners are raising money for various charities, and I have had the opportunity not only to enjoy running but to raise money for a worthwhile cause, which presently is Children With Cancer UK.

Philip Selby is the author of Live Better, Live Longer: A Practical Guide to Successful Aging available as an ebook on Amazon.com; also published in French (Bien Savoir Vieillir), in Japanesse and in Chinese.

DO means DOn’t regret the Past,

RE means Raise your hopes to last.

MI means Meet each day with Glee,

FArther than the eyes can see.

SO much to love just waits to bring

Tra LA LA to those who sing.

EsTEem your Age, be brave and bold

DO RE MI FA SOL LA TI DOld

Written by Alexandra Taylor for AgeEsteem®

How To Attract Love

Have you ever noticed how wonderful things happen when you least expect them?  The same is true for love.  Love has to find you.

How?  By being your wonderful, authentic self.  It is no good to pretend to be someone else, because you will not attract the right love if you do.  You want to be loved as you, with all your qualities and your faults.  You want to be accepted for who you are.  So just be yourself!  Love yourself.  Get on with life, doing what you love and loving what you do.

When you are happy and enjoying life, you become attractive.  You have an inner glow and excitement that attracts other people to you positively, the kind of people who will appreciate you for who you are.

• Meet new people: practice a sport, volunteer in the community, join a club.
• Participate in activities that you enjoy and that use your talents.
• Be visible.  It is difficult to attract love if no one sees you.
• Mix with people of all ages.
• Encourage, support and mentor others.

Love Me

Each of us wants to be loved.  Love is necessary for our health and well-being.  Scientific research with babies stresses the importance, indeed need,  for love and attention in our early years.  The research shows that love and touch directly impact a baby’s physical, emotional and mental development.

Yes, love is essential to us, and at all ages.

The most important love is our self love. I don’t mean narcissistic love, but genuine acceptance and love of who you are.  Before you can truly love others you must love yourself.

You may cry out to others “love me”, but  how can they find you lovable if you do not display and portray that love within yourself?  This need to love ourself is crucial at every age and stage of life.

Two difficult periods for recognizing our self-worth and loving ourselves are during our adolescent years when we are defining who we are and what we want, and then again when we reach our retirement years and are redefining who we are and what we want.

• Remind yourself that you are lovable and worthy.
• Make a date with yourself to do something you love.  Pamper yourself.
• Keep a diary of the positive comments that people make to you, what others admire in you.
• Make it a habit to speak positively to yourself.  Throw out any negative thoughts.
• Each time you look in a mirror, say “I love you!” to your reflection.

May you love yourself at every age and stage of life, knowing that you are lovable and worthy of love.

May your love for others overflow into all areas of your life.

May you embrace all that comes your way with confidence and love.  

May love fill your heart today and every day of the year.

I love you!

Bonnie Fatio

Celebrate Love!

What an ideal time to celebrate love! – Valentine’s Day.

Love is at the basis of all that is good.  It is the foundation of peace and understanding.  It is the fuel of making this world a better place for each of us.

Love is the force that gives Age Esteem its pizzazz.

We all strive to love and be loved at every age.  The need for love is a continuum through life.  Love may take on different dimensions as we experience different stages of life, but it remains a constant.

As we look towards this day of love, Valentine’s Day, let’s celebrate love. – Love of self, love of family, love of friends, love of those who we do not yet know and yes, even love for our enemies.

• Allow your heart to overflow with thoughts of love.
• Look for indications of love around you.
• Remember the precious moments in your life when you have had so much love in your heart that it bubbled over.

Celebrate love!

Bonnie Fatio