Pumpkins And Squash For Healthy Aging

Pumpkins and squash come in various deep orange and yellow colors, and these colors are the secret to their very nutritional value.

Rich in vitamins B and C, pumpkins and squash also contain manganese, which is an antioxidant mineral rich in beta-carotene.  Beta-carotene is the ultimate component of nutrition, and the deeper the color, the more beta-carotene the vegetable contains.  It is important to eye health and also an aid to fighting cancer.  As it regulates insulin in the body, it is helpful for diabetes as well.

The omega-3 fatty acids contained in these vegetables provide anti-inflammatory effects adding to their other virtues.

This autumn take advantage of a wide selection of pumpkins and squash to adorn your dinner plate as well as to decorate the table.

Grandma Nature

Therapeutic Plants For Aging Skin

What could be better than using natural resources to care for your skin as you age?

Here are a few therapeutic plants you can use to care for aging skin.

• Avocado oil contains vitamins A and D in great quantities and is known for beneficial action to regenerate the skin.
• Pomegranate is rich in sodium, potassium and tannin, a natural antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals.  It stimulates skin growth.
• Olive oil has a high level of vitamin E which flights against dryness.
• Calendula-marigold is good for regenerating and healing irritated or inflamed skin.
• Lavender has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-fungus properties.  Its perfume has a relaxing effect.
• The rind of the lemon contains antiseptic and anti-bacterial properties.

Enjoy the aromas and textures as well as the healing qualities of these therapeutic plants.

 Grandma Nature

Bananas For Healthy Aging

Did you know that there are over 1,000 different varieties of bananas worldwide?  It seems that there are about as many health benefits as well!

Bananas are a powerhouse of vitamins when completely yellow.  As brown spots begin to appear they have more sugar and become sweeter.

Vitamins C and B6 are part of its components as well as the minerals potassium and magnesium.  Potassium is good for the function of the nervous and muscular systems and regulates arterial pressure. B6 is important for the regulation of the nervous and immune systems. Bananas help to regulate the gastro-intestinal system in order to aid digestion.

Why not have a banana for your daytime snack? It is both filling and nutritious and benefits healthy aging and therefor age esteem.

 Grandma Nature

Forgetful Or Not Interested? & Your Powerful Mind

Comments on September Messages in Age EsteemNewsletter

Do you identify with either of these comments? They are two of the responses I received to the Age With Pizzazz Newsletter.

“Just wanted to tell you I have really enjoyed your last two e-letters.  This last one was particularly interesting to me.  Since I am frequently in other countries, live on two sides of the ocean and work with 7 different currencies I know that things are so far so good.  BUT I have also (even at my tender young age ;-) walked up and down the house stairs twice trying to remember what I was going up (or down) for!  I was told by someone that if I know I had to get something that the brain is ok just the file cabinet inside the head (or storage in internal smart phone) is full and needs to have some files deleted.”

“Thank you for your email and your highly interesting comments on forgetfulness!! I myself have a hard time to remember numbers and names. This might be partly due to the fact that as a simultaneous interpreter, I had to learn to forget the numbers and instead write them down, but for forgetting names I have no excuse, this has definitely something to do with age!!!”

What do you think?

Bonnie Fatio

Note: If you do not receive Age With Pizzazz each month, visit AgeEsteem.com and sign up for the free e-book and Newsletter.

Eggplant For Healthy Aging

Aubergine (eggplant) is a vegetable with many benefits.  High in fiber but low in calories and fat, it contains an antioxidant which is beneficial for the brain. Vitamins B 1 and B6 as well as potassium, manganese, magnesium and copper are components as well.

Eggplant is an anti-cancer, anti-cholesterol vegetable due to substances which fight free radicals in the body.  However, when eaten in great amounts, it can increase joint pains in the body when arthritis is present, or influence gall bladder problems and activate stones due to the high level of oxalates.

On the whole eggplant is a very nutritious and valuable health-promoting food.

An easy way to prepare eggplant and to give them a taste of Provence is to cook slices on the barbeque. Simply slice the eggplant lengthwise into slices. Place them on the barbeque for about five minutes, turning them over once. Put them on a platter and dribble a bit of olive oil over them. It is a tasty way to enjoy healthy eggplant for healthy ageing.

Grandma Nature

Calcium For Healthy Aging

We all know about calcium, how good and necessary it is for strong bones and teeth. We all probably know as well in what foods high quantities of calcium are found such as milk, cheese and yogurt among others.

Latest studies show that calcium is also helpful in maintaining the arteries and a healthy heart. It is the only natural nutrient which plays this double role. In fact, it is known to lower blood pressure. This wonder mineral also aids in weight loss, eliminating bad fat.

However, most recent research in various countries and through many tests show that in order for calcium to be assimilated in the body and deposited where it should be, in the bones and the blood, and perform its miracles, vitamin K2 is needed. Where is vitamin K2 found?

For many years the Japanese have known the benefits of menaquinones which is found in vitamin K2. The highest amount is in a food called natto (fermented soja) which they eat in abundance. In other parts of the world where this food is not consumed one can get vitamin K2 in the following foods: dark green vegetables, meat, eggs and high fat dairy products.

A balanced diet, by eating a variety of food, will supply enough vitamin K2 so that one will feel healthy and strong because of the assimilation of calcium in the body.

Grandma Nature

Bicycling For Healthy Aging

In most cases bicycling is done to improve one’ s figure and to tone up the muscles.

However cycling is also a wonderful cardio-vascular exercise that reduces blood pressure and cholesterol, thus lowering the risk of cardio vascular disease.  New studies show cycling is good for the back and joints and even for arthritis.

Why not go bicycling in the open air with a friend? Breathing in the fresh air and enjoying the wonders of nature also contribute to a healthy body,  a positive attitude and enhance your age-esteem.

Grandma Nature

Hospital Poetry

Doctors and nurses and

Agreeable showers

Perfusions and pink pills

Almost every hour.

The scenery is wheel chairs

And blue-sheeted beds

With plumped up white

Pillows for all patients’ heads.

There’s never a moment

For making up poems

That’s why it’s much better

To write them from home!

Written by Alexandra Taylor for AgeEsteem®

while waiting to be discharged from the hospital.

Cherries For Healthy Aging

Cherry season is a healthy season for us as we age. Sweet and sour cherries are very beneficial for good health.

Sour cherries have an anti-inflammatory effect on the body and are rich in antioxidants.  One study has found that reduction in pain from arthritis is a positive effect of sour cherries on the body.

Sweet cherries are rich in vitamin C.  They lower the level of urates in the blood, thus reducing the risk of gout.  Cherries maintain their health benefits after being cooked as well.

Foods such as cherries are also beneficial for our age-esteem. When we pick cherries we exercise many muscles as we stretch and bend. If we share the cherry picking or eating with others it creates a valuable social experience. And why not tap into your creative juices to make something new with the cherries? All of these ideas, added to the healthy benefits to your body, will also enhance your age-esteem.

Grandma Nature

An Impatient Patient

 I’m an impatient patient!

Yes I am!

I want to leave now,

In a moving van!

I’m impatiently here

In a Hospital Bed –

Patience is out there

Waiting for it to be “fed”!

With calmness and coolness

And positive thoughts

(All of those attitudes which

Bonnie has taught!)

Patient and Patience

The one wants you to stay

In clinical care (patient)

The other says practice it,

No matter where! (patience)

Written by Alexandra Taylor for AgeEsteem®