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Showing posts from July, 2017

STAYING COOL WHEN THE HEAT IS ON

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The warmer months bring lots of great reasons to get outside and enjoy nature, but the heat can sneak up on you. Here are some ways to beat the heat while still enjoying yourself this summer. Outdoor activities are best in the morning or evening to avoid the heat of mid-day. But if you need to be out in the sun, there are many options to deal with the increase in temperature. Loose, light clothing, preferably cotton, won’t absorb heat and will let air flow between the fabric and your skin. If your activity level makes you break a sweat, look into moisture-wicking fabric as well. Maintaining a good fluid and electrolyte balance is key as well, even if you’re more armchair quarterback than quarterback. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day will help you stay hydrated, but if you’re spending long periods outside, especially in the sun, make one of those bottles electrolyte water. One-time use ice packs can easily be thrown into your bag and activated when you need a cool-down. Place

IDEAS FOR WHEN IT’S TOO HOT TO COOK

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When the heat of the summer bears down on us, cooking can begin to lose its appeal. The oven heats up the home too much, and warm food can sometimes seem unappealing. But you don’t have to settle for the same old salad or boring sandwich. There are options to fix a great meal with no or minimal cooking. Pasta salads are an easy way to get a good meal on the table, and you can make them to satisfy any craving. First, cook up a bunch of pasta— penne, spiral, or bowtie pastas are great options because their shape and texture lets ingredients cling to them. Italian dressing is the standard to bind and flavor pasta salad, but ranch or green goddess will  give your salad a different tanginess. Chop up your favorite veggies and meats to add texture and taste. Feta or goat cheese is also a good addition. Here’s an easy recipe to try: Prepare 8 ounces of pasta as directed on the box and let cool. Peel as much meat as desired from a cooled rotisserie chicken and add it to the cooled pasta in a l

IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO LEARN SOMETHING NEW

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Retirement is a great time to try all those things you always wanted to make time for but couldn’t around work and family schedules. With so many options to keep your mind active, your new favorite activity is just waiting to be discovered! Keeping your brain active is just as important as moving your body. Hobbies you enjoy can help you cope with health issues and periods of loneliness, as well as keep you from falling into a rut and help fight off the boredom that often accompanies retirement. There are many activities that are designed to challenge your brain, like crossword puzzles and trivia games. Learning a new language has the added benefit of helping you communicate if you travel, but it also opens up a world of entertainment options. Movies are much more enjoyable if you don’t have to read the sub-titles! As we get older, we’re often less willing to try something outside of our comfort zones. But even something as simple as taking a different route on your daily walk or readi