(NAPSI)—Many retirees share a fear of gradually losing their ability to think as clearly as they used to or remember simple information such as other people’s names. And while everyone has the occasional “senior moment,” medical research indicates that aging by itself is generally not a cause of cognitive decline.

“Studies have shown that you can help prevent cognitive decline and reduce the risk of dementia with some basic good health habits,” according to Harvard Medical School’s Healthbeat newsletter.

Here are four simple steps to keep your mind sharp at any age:

1. Exercise: It’s important to stay physically active. Simple routines such as taking exercise classes at your health club or taking walks in your neighborhood every day can do wonders for your mental health. Just get moving. “The cognitive benefits of exercise have been understood for so long,” notes the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College.
2. Serve: Research published by the American Psychological Association found that volunteering in later life “is associated with significant psychosocial, physical, cognitive and functional benefits for healthy older adults.” Science is now confirming what many have learned by experience: People often feel better after they have served others and enjoyed the time spent helping someone else.
3. Learn: Experts think that ongoing education and learning new things may help keep you mentally sharp simply by getting you in the habit of staying mentally active. Take a class from a senior center or community college, make it a habit to visit the library and pick up a new book each week. “Challenging your brain with mental exercise is believed to activate processes that help maintain individual brain cells and stimulate communication among them,” according to Harvard Medical School.
4. Finances: A study published by The Journals of Gerontology found that “financial strain was a strong and robust predictor of worsening mental health” among older adults, including anxiety and depression symptoms. Another way to help keep yourself mentally healthy in retirement is to make sure you have ample cash on hand to help pay off unexpected health care bills or fund any renovations that might need to be made to your home. Many seniors are surprised to learn that one potential asset for generating immediate cash is a life insurance policy.

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(NAPSI)—Here’s a new take on an old favorite. Loaded with fiber, vitamins and minerals, it’s easy to make. Serve with an array of garnishes, allowing diners to customize their bowls.

California Sweet Potato Chili Serves 6

2 T oil

1 lb ground beef, turkey, chicken or pork

Salt and pepper

1 onion, diced

1 red bell pepper, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 T chili powder Continue reading →

Ingredients

25 large strawberries

1 (3 oz) box strawberry Jell-O

1 c. water, boiled

1 c. vodka

1 1/4 c. semisweet chocolate chips

2 tsp. coconut oil

Directions

Slice off the tops and tips of strawberries, removing the stem and leveling them so they can stand up on a flat surface. Using a small melon baller, gently scoop out inside of strawberry, creating a “shot glass.” Discard insides. Continue reading →

Ingredients

2 refrigerated pie crusts

Flour for rolling out dough

1/2 c. strawberry jam

Egg wash

1/4 c. Granulated sugar, for sprinkling

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll out 1 pie crust. Using a paring knife, cut out long diamond shapes, about 4″ on each side. Transfer diamonds to baking sheet. Re-roll extra dough to make more diamonds. (You should have enough dough to make about 6.)

Fill the center of each diamond with a very thin layer of strawberry filling, then fold three of the corners into the center so that the dough looks like an open envelope. Use a small heart cookie cutter to stamp out remaining dough into hearts, and place in the center of each.

Brush envelopes with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar. Bake until envelopes are golden, about 15 minutes.

Let cool for 10 minutes on baking sheet before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.

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(NAPSI)—Throughout the season, for many football fans, the real game is played on an entirely different field of play: the parking lot.

Tailgating in Wisconsin is taken as seriously as the game itself, often featuring an assortment of brats, hamburgers, pulled pork, chili, chips, cookies, cake, beer and whatever intricate recipe an ambitious parking lot cook can concoct. Likely absent are such foods as apples, carrots and milk that can help your oral health.

Here are some tips for prioritizing good oral health and food options at your next tailgate.

Don’t Punt on Appetizers

No tailgate is complete without a platter of appetizers, including chips, dips, chicken wings and cheese. Small changes to the menu can make for a big difference in oral health. Continue reading →

  (NAPSI)—For 30 million Americans, diabetes is an everyday reality. Diabetes can affect every decision, including what they eat, wear and do. Yet the 24/7 management of diabetes is often misunderstood, carrying a social burden, as too many Americans wrongfully assume the disease is the result of poor choices.

The American Diabetes Association is setting the record straight. Here’s what’s real and what’s not when it comes to diabetes:

Myth: Being overweight causes diabetes.

Fact: Being overweight is a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes but it’s not the only one. Family history, ethnicity and age also play a significant role. In fact, people with type 2 diabetes are often at a normal weight or only moderately overweight.

Myth: Diabetes is caused by eating sugar.

Fact: Type 1 diabetes is a disease, in which the immune system attacks insulin-producing beta cells. Type 2 diabetes is caused by the body’s inability to use the insulin it produces and progresses so that less insulin is produced over time. Eating sugar doesn’t cause either type, though a diet high in calories can contribute to weight gain, which increases one’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—With all the sad stories of conflict and desperation from around the world, it can be heartening to hear of loved ones reunited.

Here are just two of the happy examples:

• Lydia spent months wondering if her daughter Odette was alive. Conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo forced Lydia to seek asylum in the U.S., leaving her far away from her family and with a heavy heart. With the help of the Red Cross, Lydia located her daughter and sent her a message through the Restoring Family Links (RFL) program. Odette responded to her mom—she was indeed alive. “I don’t know how the Red Cross managed to connect me with someone who I thought was dead. There was no other way for me to talk to her. There was no other way.”
• Conflict in Burundi forced Fidele to flee and lose touch with his loved ones, including his father. After living in Tucson, Arizona, for some time, he connected with the Red Cross RFL program to open up a search for his father to help give him peace of mind. After months of searching, Fidele finally received the welcome message: His father was alive and well.

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(NAPSI)—Recycling is one of the easiest ways the average person can help the environment. Not only does recycling prevent items from ending up in landfills, it reduces the amount of raw materials used to make new products. Here are some myths and facts about recycling commonly used food and beverage cartons:

Myth: Cartons can’t be recycled.

Fact: Cartons are certainly recyclable. They can be turned into new products, such as paper towels, tissues and writing paper. They can also be turned into environmentally friendly building materials, in a process that uses no water or chemicals.

Myth: If a package doesn’t have a recycling logo on it, it’s not recyclable.

Fact: What can and can’t be recycled varies by community and is primarily dependent on the recycling facility. Cartons can carry the standard “Please Recycle” logo under the Federal Trade Commission’s green guidelines. It’s best to contact your community or check its website to find out what can and can’t be recycled. Continue reading →