Welcome Everyone In the Baby Boomer Generation

There are 8 million of our generation called Baby Boomers in Canada and 80 million in the USA. We are the largest generation of children born and have influenced economics, education, government and the workplace since the late Forties. In fact, we saved the Harley Davidson Motorcycle Company because we bought so many of them. We will continue to influence as we age and with the first of our generation hitting 65 this year we need to know what lies ahead. Through this site I hope to share some ideas and information that can answer those questions. I welcome your comments and suggestions but will remove anything that is detrimental to my readership as a whole. Lets have fun with this site and get informed together.
Thanks,
Dave

Monday, October 31, 2011

Organization Made Easy

The Easy Way to Get All Your Details, Information and Notes Organized Once and For All

Easy OrganizerIf you’re like me, you’ll agree that we all have way too much to remember. Birthdays, phone numbers, goals, books we want to read, movies we  want to see, chores, store sale dates, home inventory, doctor visits and medications, web sites, travel checklists, things to clean, great ideas, vehicle maintenance, gifts to buy...phew! That's a lot to remember, isn't it?

It’s no wonder there’s so much stress in the world!

So, how in the world do you keep all this information organized, and easily accessible when you need it, without breaking the bank?

Great news...I know of an awesome system, developed by my good friend and organizing expert, Maria Gracia, that can help you keep it all organized. I use it myself, and I can firmly attest that it’s one of the best planning systems out there to help you keep it all organized and accessible when you need it!

I use it--I love it--and I know you will too! Get all the details here:







Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Anti Aging and the Food Pyramid

Are You Getting Enough Of These Anti Aging Foods?

When we think of aging we often think about the external effects - the wrinkles, sagging and weight gain that makes us look older from the outside.  But what a lot of people don't realize is that you can help slow down the aging processes from the inside by eating a lot of anti aging foods. 

You've probably heard the expression you are what you eat, right?  Well, it really is true. 

The foods you eat today are what your body is using for fuel tomorrow.  If you eat foods that are a drag on your system and empty in nutrition, you will not have the vibrant energy and good looks that you want.  Eating too many fast foods like burgers and fries will not only put on weight but are also associated with many diseases.  Not getting enough vitamins and unsaturated fats in your diet can leave your skin and hair looking dull and dry.

Making sure you get enough of the right foods, ones that have antioxidants, enzymes, vitamins and minerals will not only improve your appearance but they will also help protect you from disease and Illness like diabetes, heart disease and cancer.  So, just what are these anti aging foods?

Fruits And Vegetables

Probably the best foods you can eat are fruits and vegetables.  They are loaded with vitamins and minerals and, when eaten raw, have powerful enzymes that actually help your body with the digestion process - leaving more energy for you to use on other things. 

Fruits and vegetables are also loaded with antioxidants which fight off free radicals.  Free radicals actually play a major role in aging and are thought the be major contributors to disease so the more of them you can fight off, the healthier and younger looking you will be!
   
Essential Fatty Acids

Fatty acids might not sound like something that are good for you, but they are.  The Omega-3 fatty acids in particular are essential for keeping your cell membranes fluid which helps with a host of body functions not the least of which is younger looking skin.  You can get these essential fatty acids from cold water fish like salmon and tuna, flax seed oil and walnuts.

Fiber

Fibre foods
Fiber is key to keeping your digestive process working and it can also help keep your cholesterol levels in check. While this might not do a lot for your outer appearance, it can do a whole heck of a lot for your insides and this in turn will help keep you vibrant and youthful. 

It's especially important to get enough to keep your bowel movements regular, after all, who can look energetic and youthful when they are constipated?  Fiber can be found in whole grains, black beans, pears, prunes and apples. 

When buying whole wheat breads, don't be fooled by the words whole wheat on the label. Look at the ingredients and make sure the very first one is whole wheat or whole grains.  Otherwise, you are not getting a full whole wheat product.

Finally, the last of the anti aging foods I want to talk about isn't really a food at all - it's water.  Plain and simple water.  You need to drink plenty of it to keep you hydrated.  This not only helps with the inner functions of your body but will also help your skin and hair look younger.

Here's a great guideline for the types of food you should use and in what proportions you should consume.

Here's to healthy living. Dave

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Look Younger Today.

Boring salad.
8 Things You Can Do To Look Younger Today

Almost everyone that has reached middle age wants to look younger without succumbing to drastic surgery or painful injections.  Luckily, there are some things you can do right now that will help you have a younger - and healthier - appearance.

1.  Stop Smoking.  Need I say more?  Not only is smoking a major contributor to cancer, heart disease and a host of other illnesses it will age you like nothing else.  Smoking causes excess wrinkles, a graying pallor to your skin and it makes you smell bad! 

2.  Treasure Your Sleep.  Sleeping rejuvenates your body and when you get enough of it, you'll wake feeling refreshed and energized which, in itself, will make you appear more youthful.  You'll also have a nice glow to your skin and no puffy bags under your eyes.  But how much is enough?  There is no one size fits all amount - you'll have to  figure out how much is right for you but generally around 7 or 8 hours is what most people find works.  It is important to get deep uninterrupted sleep as the deeper sleep is what really rejuvenates you.

3.  Eat Your Fruits And Veggies.  Fruits and vegetables have powerful antioxidants that can actually help slow the aging process.  The fiber will help keep you irregular and the added water content will help keep your skin looking luminous.  Plus all the vitamins and minerals will help keep your immune system strong allowing you to fight off disease and have a healthier life.

4.  Take Care Of Your Hair.  Eating right will help your hair keep it's shine and good looks but if you have a good hair style, this can literally take years off your appearance.  This is especially true for women but men should try to go with a trendy - age appropriate cut as well.  Contrary to what you might think, keeping your hair long as you get older does not make you look younger.  It actually can add years to your appearance!  Go for a stylish haircut that compliments the shape of your face and don't be afraid to add some highlights to mask out those grays!

5.  Sit Up Straight.  Good posture can make you appear more youthful while bad posture will make you look older.  In fact, if you practice good posture it could help you look 10 years younger and 10 pounds lighter!  When you have good posture you appear confident and happy plus it helps to reduce muscle strain and back problems. 

6.  Get Enough Exercise.  Getting enough exercise doesnít have to mean grueling aerobic workouts every day.  You want to incorporate some aerobic activity - walking, swimming, tennis etc as well as strength training and stretching.  Yoga and Pilates are great exercises to keep those muscles stretched and toned which is very important as you age.  Exercising will give you a energetic youthful appearance, help keep your weight off and will also help you keep your muscle tone as well as good balance as you age. This is critical as you get into your golden years since one of the main problems that happens to the elderly is falling which is mainly due to bad balance.

7.  Take Care Of Your Teeth.  Good dental hygiene is important not only for your health but for your looks too.  Many people don't realize that problems with your gums and teeth can actually have adverse affects on other organs in your body so it's critical to go to those dental visits every 6 months and have the recommended work to keep your teeth and gums healthy.  Have nice straight, white teeth can do a lot to improve your youthful appearance. 

8.  Keep Your Weight Down.  Excess  pounds adds years to your appearance and also is a contributor to many health problems including diabetes, heart disease and cancer so why no keep your weight down as you age?  It does take a little bit of work, but you'll feel and look so much better!

Exciting Salad!
It is said that you learn a new habit if you repeat it for 21 days so mark 21 days on a calendar and work on at least one of these tips for those 21 days. For example, finish your day with a nice salad made of raw veggies and spinach or lettuce. Dress it up with slivered almonds or pine nuts and some dried cranberries or blueberries. Ad a few drained fruit slices such as peaches to the top and then sprinkle on a little long strand coconut. For a dressing, use a tablespoon of strawberry or blueberry yogurt. You won't believe how delicious this combo can be. Eating it in the evening will cut down your junk food cravings and will give your stomach something to digest that isn't going to add fat to your body. Challenge your imagination with salad ideas and you will surprise yourself.  Oh make sure to weigh yourself before you start and then at the 21st day.

Until next time, enjoy life and be healthy. Dave