... continued from Cover
about food expenses. Gideon and Ash are also actively involved in our meal-making, and our toddler, Shalom, is in charge of dumping and mixing things in the bowls for us. Knowing someone is grating cheese or peeling carrots for us makes our days much easier. It also gives the kids a great sense of accomplishment, knowing they’re helping the family. We all look forward to our time together in the kitchen. Of course, not everything has gone perfectly, and we’ve had our share of mishaps. Baking soda has been mixed up with baking powder , and
plenty of underbaked cakes have gooey centers. These imperfections are never a big deal; we see them as excellent learning opportunities. We already homeschool our children, so we consider these cooking lessons another layer to their education. Deciding to make meal prep a true family activity has brought us tremendous joy. We suspect it won’t be long before we can sit back, relax, and let the kids pamper us with a homemade feast!
For example, one of the kids picked a roasted green bean potato salad. Initially, the rest of us weren’t sold on it, but it turned out to be super- delicious and has since become a staple at gatherings with friends. Our 6-year-old, Seth, requested an ice cream maker for his birthday. He’s made some delicious flavors so far, and he’s looking forward to adding fresh strawberries to the mix this summer. Our oldest, Kai, is currently taking finance classes at school and is constantly asking us questions
–Kevin and Sierra Bennett
YOU ARE HOW YOU SLEEP
NATURAL PATHS TO A RESTFUL NIGHT
Sleep is essential to a healthy lifestyle, yet too few people get enough of it.
If you’ve smoked cigarettes or drank coffee for years without experiencing sleep disruptions but are now struggling to stay focused throughout the day, these regular habits may be impacting your body in ways that weren’t common for you in years past. “As we get older, our ability to metabolize these substances changes, and we can’t handle or process them the way we did in our 30s or 40s,” Miner advises, adding that alcohol — often used as a sleep aid — can cause senior sleepers to awaken in the middle of the night. The Comfort of Community Although feeling tired throughout the day may tempt us to stay home and attempt to rest, increasing our activity during midday slumps is the best course of action. By getting up and staying active during the day, our bodies recalibrate, boosting our energy during these times and helping it decrease when night falls. If you’re looking for a way to spruce up your daily routine, consider joining community volunteer groups that will promote interaction with others while doing something positive and meaningful for folks in need.
Contrary to popular belief, seniors require as much slumber as anyone else. According to the National Council on Aging, people 65 and older need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per night. Unfortunately, that goal can become increasingly unattainable as we age. Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder among seniors, which could be the main reason you may be experiencing a bout of daytime drowsiness as you read this article. Here are a few ways to improve sleep quality to fuel your daytime activities. Healthy Habits for Energy In an article published by the Yale School of Medicine, Assistant Professor of Medicine (Geriatrics) Brienne Miner stresses that maintaining a consistent sleep schedule — rising and retiring at the same times every day — is “probably the single best thing you can do to improve your sleep.” Additionally, she recommends limiting naps to 30 minutes or less before the early afternoon, as anything longer may decrease your body’s desire for sleep in the evening.
2
kentucky.seniorhealth.pro
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator