Growing old isn't for chumps!

Then, there is eye sight!
Both distance and reading glasses!

Old age isn't for chumps.

Seriously, I'm finding some of my blog buddies have had some health issues, so I know I'm not alone. A fall, caused by polypharmacy; a broken shoulder (poor Kay) and wrist (I love you, Yam!), complications from surgery (Furry Gnome). I am grateful for our universal healthcare, and how well the system has worked for us along our journey. JB has had 60 appointments for his cancer. He's doing well.

I loved giving computer workshops!

Yet, it's been a whirlwind. I've been working with a naturopathic physician to help improve some of my health issues. I have stress-triggered depression, anxiety and mild panic attacks. I had an issue in the summer that set me back. It's been chronic. Each time an event triggers it, I sink a bit deeper. Health issues in your 60s are different. Just sayin'!

Thank you, faithful readers, for your support. I think I'm on the right path.

I saw this on a Marilyn Denis talk show. It's simple in middle age, isn't it? pppfffttt There is nothing new here, but it is different for middle age. Life simply changes, and we have to change with it.

Diet, AKA Food and Nutrition

Firstly, 'diet' doesn't mean to diet, it means to watch what you are eating, quantity and quality. I found with menopause, my metabolism changed. The same foods, with the same calories, weren't the same as the good, old days.

I had some chronic digestive issues following some stress.  With my naturopath's support, I am strategically reducing my alcohol intake. The blood test she sent me for showed my intolerances to dairy (sheep, cow, goat), wheat, barley, egg whites, peas. Oh, the meals I've loved (archived below)!

Progress is spotty. I've cut out dairy, I took a couple of bricks of cheese , a stick of butter, and a carton of milk to my client! Dairy wasn't too difficult, as I never cook with it, since JB cannot have dairy, yeast or eggs. That was the first step. Wheat is the 2nd. The problem with cookbooks is many use wheat.

This one is on its way,
we shall see.

What do you do? April, 2017

JB has gone shopping and found me some oatmeal cereal, rice crackers, and some rice bread. The gluten-free movement has increased the availability of these products. The rice bread tastes like sawdust, though.

He found me some oat bagels, but my favourite topping on those was smoked salmon and cream cheese! (Deep sigh!)

Fitness

tenosynovitis in my right foot

Retiring early, due to depression, didn't help. You're just not on your feet as much.

When I get on my feet, I strain muscles... usually in my legs or feet! Tenosynovitis and tendonitis. I have been using an elliptical machine, and that has been great. Walking any distance hurts my back. Being overweight hurts my knees. You really have to work hard at this.

Rest and Sleep

Chronic insomnia, and nightmares. What can I say?! At least I can sleep in. I listen to podcasts.

Reducing Stressors

JB's been managing his cancer, there are still times when I worry about my kids. The cats have proven to be highly needy!

Meditation doesn't work for me. Walks in the forest, AKA forest bathing, helps. I really enjoy that.

Supplements

My naturopath gave me a B12 shot. I'm taking glucosamine and chondroitin for arthritis. Pills for high blood pressure. Antidepressants. Also, a women's over 50 vitamin, which is important, I think. So says Dr. Jenn, our naturopath. (JB sees her, as well.)

I'm not complaining, I'm just explaining. I can change my habits. It's a whole new ball game! Wish me luck.

Meals I have enjoyed!

Book Review: The Brain Bible: stay vital, productive, happy, healthy

Cats know how to sleep!
So does hubby!

I have been sent a book for review. I'm dubious about such things such as, "How to prevent

Healthy eating!

dementia."  It's much more than simply doing brain exercises to prevent a biological symptom of various diseases. However, this book includes strategies for living that will improve your life, keep you healthy and active, both mentally and physically, if not preventing death!

  One of today's leading experts on brain health, Dr. John Arden tells it straight: there is no single remedy for maintaining “sharpmindedness” into old age. Nor can we prevent dementia, but we can learn how to interact and live our best lives no matter our situation.

Neuroplasticity of our brains

He has done his research, for we know that our brains can be changed, if we change our behaviours. Just as we know that stopping smoking, for example, allows our lungs to heal and overcome the toxins smokers inhale. We know how complex our brains are, and that while toxins can cause cancer cells to grow, remember that some develop cancer through no discernible factors at all.

brain function
Frontal lobe, robbed of oxygen,
cannot function.

Truthfully, this isn't so much a brain book, as a bible for healthy living. There are many myths about body and brain, and people who are jumping on the self-help band wagon, but it does boil down to healthy eating, exercise, living and loving well, and sleep hygiene.

What I find comforting, in reading this book, is that as we shift from middle age into old age, is that we need to keep sharp in different ways than when we were employed, and to keep active in different ways.

ISBN: 9780071826549

Price: $27.95 CDN

This is why I continue to read and write, and blog about life, love and joyfulness. We know that in 1950 we could expect to live to live in the USA until about age 68, and in 2002 life expectancy was around 77 years of age. What are we going to do with these additional years? Life and living in our later years must be meaningful, in a different way.

If you are interested, as am I, in understanding our bodies, this is a good book for you. It explains the biochemical reactions in our brains as we age. It breaks down the research, and writes of the neurochemical changes that age brings. We can expect that our bodies wear out in certain ways, and we cannot necessarily prevent disorders, but we can do everything in our power to keep sharp by being active, volunteering, and paying attention to issues like cholesterol and diabetes. 

Brain research

The aging brain does change, despite all these ideal habits. Neurotransmitters and the neurochemistry of aging brains means that there are more mutations, neurons shrink, we lose myelin, and synapses. In our teenage years, we are creating synapses, and learning how to learn, forming neural pathways, which are later pruned in adulthood. In our later years, we develop and strengthen these old pathways. For example the brain uses some of the same pathways to process music as we do math. This is something I learned whilst doing action research for my classroom curriculum. In older age, we may not be able to prevent senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (which prevent blood from getting to the part of the brain which processes abstract thought). Be rest assured that healthy, active older adults develop issues, which cannot be prevented, but we can play our cards right by healthy living. 

PET scan shows brain function.
New information.

When my students would ask why we were learning algebra, for example, I'd tell them we were building dendrites to make all learning faster, better and easier. For those who eschewed math, or for those who complain about what we teach in elementary school, remember you are building better brains for old age. 

Activities for healthy living

Dendrites connect the brain cells, allow us to 'think.'
They cannot function if they are blocked by plaques.

Dr. Arden has broken down the vast amount of confusing and sometimes conflicting brain data into the five crucial “Brain Bible” factors to be mindful of:

• Education - Read and keep your brain active
• Diet - What you eat and drink directly affects your brain health
• Exercise - Starting a fitness routine is simpler than you think
• Relationships - The love of friends and family has a strong healing power
• Sleep - Get enough, but not too much, sleep

A few samples of Dr. Arden's tips for improving brain health include:

• Drink water even when you're not thirsty
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator
• Laugh a lot
• Don't drink alcohol before going to bed
• Eat fish at least twice a week

homemade meatloaf

About the Author

Dr. John Arden is the director of mental health training for the Kaiser Permanente Medical Centers and oversees one of the largest mental health training programs in the world, operating in 24 different medical centers throughout Northern California. He also practices part-time at Kaiser Permanente in Petaluma, CA and San Rafael, CA and for several years has been the chief psychologist at Kaiser Vallejo. He has written several successful books, including the bestselling Rewire Your Brain, as well as Brain-Based Therapy for Adults and Brain-Based Therapy for Children and Adolescents. For more information, visit drjohnarden.com.

Jamie Oliver comes to the continent

I have enjoyed watching Jamie Oliver rant about the food offered in the big US school cafeterias. He's putting his money where his mouth is, taking abuse from those who think there is no problem. Neglect IS abuse. Neglecting proper nutrition is a crime. With Canadian Family Health Teams offering dietary services and nutritionists, we have no excuse for people to be ignorant about eating well.

I am happy, too, that Jamie made mashed potatoes WITH the skin, as I do! That is where the nutrients are found.

We supersize, à la US model, with US-owned franchises in the not-to-be-named chains where things are endlessly fried, precooked, filled with additives and preservatives and fat. They are evolving. More chains offer salads, but the fast food notion is a sad one. I heard of one soccer mom who put a crock pot in the min-van. I like that idea! Gone are the days when moms could put a pot of stew on for the early dinner, and we eat smaller meals in the evening.

Huntington, West Virginia, Fattest US City, To Star On Jamie Oliver Reality Show

It is not a surprise that the US has so much obesity, expecially in their children. Those living in poverty cannot afford the fresh, important veggies if they live in the north. Most, however, missed the nutritional information some teacher attempted to promote. Our Ontario Milk Marketing Board spends a bundle of materials for promotion. As do the egg and other marketing boards. Education is the key. Changing the habits of those who overeat, eat the wrong things, too much of one thing, and fail to have a balanced, colourful plate of food with greens every day.

In our case, we find that making our own culinary delights is important. Using simple foods, unprocessed as much as possible. Having children participate is an important part of the process.
This is our lasagna on Easter day! Many of my Muskoka commenters said they, too, had lasagna!
The cats were very upset that the canned food wasn't for them. We put in frozen spinach, fresh zuccini, lean ground beef (Caitlin is pregnant and has had low iron), two cans of tomatoes (we are far from tomato season here!), ready-bake noodles, lots of cheese (for growing bones).

It is interesting in that Caitlin is pregnant, need milk and iron, Josephine is 2 and needs calcium for strong bones. As a menopausal middle-aged woman, I need 3 servings of milk per day. (I supplement with tablets, as I am already having oseoporosis issues. Also, Vitamin D tabs, although I do try for 10 min. of sun per day = Vit. D.)

Lasagna is almost a perfect (group) meal for most of us, except the cheese isn't good for those with high cholesterol. (Yes, I have that, too! Polypharmacy rears its ugly head.)

You'll notice P.O.'d cats in my collage, who thought the canned food was for them. I always have to let them smell the food or they will meow forever. They were not thrilled with the tomatoes. The meat caught their noses, as did the cheese, but

From MYMUSKOKA

This chart of the day is a perfect reason. Andrew Sullivan makes a good point. Even Oprah was attacked by the US-based beef industry.