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

Robyn Simon, 67, Blue Mountains of Australia

What is Age Esteem?   If you’re talking about ladies, I think a woman should be confident to be herself at every stage of her life and especially as she matures to have an understanding of how she presents herself to the outside world based on her own belief in herself and not that dictated by fashion, culture or status.  To realize that I can say from my life that the more mature you get, in actual fact in your own outrageous or quiet way the more outrageous you can be.

It’s an interesting word, esteem, and I think sometimes it is hard won.  The situations around us put us down and make us feel small and I think this is where the community of other women can really support us.  I think that Age Esteem can start at any stage of life from the youngest person to the most mature.

My greatest concern is the lack of physical flexibility and strength.  I feel that because I’m taking care of supplementation and diet and I have relatively good genes with aging I’m intending not to lose my flexibility and strength , but it is one of my concerns.  I’ve been crippled with arthritis and I’m looking after my eyesight but I would be very concerned to lose the faculty of eye sight.  My concern would be to lose the facility to have continuing new adventures in life.  I would not like to lose that.  And yes, a practical concern and a very valid one for most women of the world is to have enough finances to maintain my life in a relatively comfortable manner, and especially to have enough finance to move and to travel a bit.  I think that is very important to me.

Robyn’s Tips:  Stay in the present as much as possible and do not dwell in the past.  Do not live with regret mulling over negative things that may have happened in the past.  Keep your mind in the present as much as possible.

I think that Spiritual development and training is very important to well being because if you train your mind not to sweat the small stuff.  Sweating the small stuff is occupying your mind with criticism, hatred, or all things that can pull a person down.

It is very helpful for a woman to be sure that she has younger friends in her life.  I think you need to have a large spectrum in associations.  I actually went back to work in a spa industry that does massages and beauty treatments and facials and most of the young ladies who worked with me were between the ages of 19 and 25.  That’s one of the best things I’ve done.  I also love spending time with younger men.  Some of the greatest actresses in the world made it very clear that you should have young men around you.  Their energy, all they exude, their presence, I think it is helpful and important.  And I think that a lot of European ladies have known that for a long time.

Also diet.  There is a lot of knowledge out there now for how to look after your physical body that’s reasonable.

Robyn Simon, specialist in aromatic medicine, www.mydoterra.com/robynsimon

Ginger is a tropical plant originating in Asia.

Ginger has existed for thousands of years and used to treat certain medical conditions.  The most important use is against nausea and motion sickness.  It has even been proven that ginger can be more effective than some modern motion sickness drugs. Rheumatism and inflammation are also improved or cured with the use of ginger.  Fresh ginger may be used as well as the powder or even candied ginger, which can be eaten a half hour before travelling.  There is even enough in ginger snaps and ginger ale to bring relief.

The ginger root is  used as a spice in cooking.   Gingerbread and ginger snaps are both popular and deliciously healthy!  Fresh ginger is an ingredient found in Chinese cuisine.

The essential oil is used in aromatherapy by applying the essential oil in a massage, bath or compress. This helps relieve the pain of arthritis, rheumatism and inflammation.

So, next time you are out shopping, pick up some ginger in its various forms and keep it in your medicine chest as well as in your kitchen.

Grandma Nature

As we enter into this glorious Spring season with trees and flowers blooming, we surely must also think of asparagus.  This versatile vegetable is at its peak in the springtime. When we see it in the open markets or food stores we think of Mother’s Day or May Day or other festive occasions during this time of year.

Asparagus is a member of the lily family.

It is another of Mother Nature’s gifts as it is very important to our health as we age.

• It is full of antioxidants and one of them, glutathione, is known to prevent cataracts.
• This same antioxidant is also a cancer-prevention food.
• A unique phytochemical in asparagus that produces an anti-inflammatory effect helps relieve arthritis and rheumatism.
• Vitamins A and C are found in asparagus as well.

Of course, asparagus can be found all year round in tins and in the frozen food compartment but there is nothing more delightful than choosing a bunch of asparagus in season. They are green, white and purple and are eaten simply with a mayonnaise or vinaigrette. Asparagus is even found in fancy pasta creations such as ravioli or tortellini. They can be boiled, steamed, microwaved or grilled.

Why not pick up a bunch now and prepare a favorite meal?  At the same time you will bring valuable nutrients to your body.

Grandma Nature