Overcoming negative stereotypes...

      .... is every week....

Hippo and group were chatting at coffee on the weekend about just that topic and decided it is not as easy as it looks to overcome the negative aging stigma. We decided that it is best to focus on positive role models. The media has a profound effect on the way we are categorized into roles including age as a social role. Negative stereotyping and age affects the elderly and creates negative expectations and fear. The media also alarms the young about aging in the future. Advertisements only advertise pharmaceuticals and special aids to assist infirmity. So we decided that we should apply our wisdom by delving into how some great and wonderful people from all walks of life fulfilled their aging years. Focusing on positive images is imperative. There are many elderly people who stand out in a crowd in an inspiring way. If you are not already passionate about a subject, it is never too late to discover an area to channel your passion. So do not despair-there is an fine art to aging. So perhaps, one should do a little research on someone that you know or admire and find out some of their secrets as they make journey through their senior years in such an inspirational way.

Challenge your brain frequently.

As I understand,we are the only self organisms in this planet. (that we know of) Keep your expectation yardstick set on high and following your schooling continue to learn new things on an on-going basis. The brain will keep developing along the way and it reflects what you do with it. Explore and travel if possible even if it is small short jaunts. Adapting to new locations makes you more aware of your surroundings. Make some new decisions. Again, I remind you to make your own decisions and learn from your mistakes. That way, you are training your brain and not someone else's. Develop and nurture stimulating friendships. Maintain them as we are social animals and need social interaction. Last but not least,laugh often especially to cognitive complex humour which can be stimulating and full of twists.

Don't just read my blog to read it, try and practice with a new bit of the information daily and apply it and it will eventually become an internalized habit.

To be or not to be? That is the question.

I am going to share some of my secrets that I use to maintain balance in my life.  They are truly not secrets as they have been at our fingertips forever.
I eat nutritiously and moderately and also exercise daily early in AM. Along with this routine I make sure, if possible to get plenty of rest during the night. (approximately 8 hours a night's sleep and an hour pre lights out reading or brain puzzles.
My goal each and every day is to remain mindful, as aware as I can be of my surroundings. I try diligently  to focus and live in the moment. I challenge you to do the same.

What does balance mean to you?

Hippo says that balance doesn't mean equal. It means that you are totally pleased with the way you spend your time and what you have chosen as your priorities and how you prioritize. Simplification of daily tasks could make the difference of whether or not you perform your tasks or complete your projects. eg.(de-cluttering). Maybe you could have some other member of the family carry out the task or perhaps hire someone to do the chore. This will free more  time for you to do as you choose.
Making the effort to be have more equilibrium in your life will reap more satisfaction for you in the future and you will become considerably more balanced and at ease on a regular  basis.
More on balance tomorrow...

Kick off your day with "Whole grains Milk,and Fruit".

A healthy breakfast is an excellent way to start your day and begin with a positive tone. Your mental and physical performance will be sharper and by eating healthily you will also maintain weight control. Those who eat a healthy breakfast regularly improved attention, concentration, memory,  and achievement at work or their studies or every day activities  as compared to folks who did not eat breakfast routinely or skippers.

The best breakfast is one that you can and will eat. While you can dream up a healthy breakfast, it's not good nutrition if it does not happen. Tomorrow, I will discuss healthy, simple and delicious breakfast meals to break your abstention.

Safety and efficacy of a supplement

Safe-+++++++

Safe????

Supplement manufacturers do not have to prove safety and efficacy of products they want to market, they simply send a copy of the labels they plan to use to the FDA. Just because it has a supplement label, it does not mean it's safe.

What is a dietary supplement?

A dietary supplement is a substance that is taken orally in whatever form(capsule, gel, tab, or powder). It is not a food. It can contain vitamins, minerals, plant extract or herbs or almost anything. It is meant to supplement what you are not getting in your daily diet. They have a very large range of ingredients and forms. They have legal limits to claims on the labels but in their advertising they can often unfortunately be too good to be true and be misleading and go beyond therapeutic and medicinal effects. Tomorrow we will talk about whether the supplements you have chosen are doing you any good.

Who stands behind supplements? Who monitors the claims? Are they necessary?