Medicare Plans for Hawaii - January/February 2025

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TROPICAL OASIS

Agents For Life

Enjoying Hawaii From Our Lanai

The Harbor We see spectacular sunrises — never two the same — and sunsets, and witness the cycle of the moon from new to full and back again. We witness massive cruise and cargo ships come and go, as tug boats slowly and skillfully guide them in and out of the harbor. On occasion, cargo ships anchor off of Sand Island for days at a time, waiting to receive a load of cargo before endeavoring onward to the next port of call. Sterile gray Navy ships are always patrolling out of Pearl Harbor, and on occasion, the mysterious 10-story “Golf Ball” appears from nowhere offshore, only to disappear just as suddenly. It’s apparently a ballistic missile radar, but we never can seem to see it coming or going. The Airport The Honolulu airport always has something going on, and it is both fascinating and impressive to see in action. At dusk, it is especially beautiful to admire the lights of multiple flights stacking up as they approach from Kapolei. When flights take off, after a while, you can tell whether they are headed

My wife and I feel incredibly blessed to live in Hawaii. We love the weather, the ocean, and the people. Not everyone who works from home — as we do — is lucky enough to do so in the Aloha state. We each have our own office at opposite ends of the house, so we can grant each other a modicum of privacy and don’t have to listen to one another speak to clients all day. But in the mornings and evenings, we share a little time together on our lanai. Whether it’s with a cup of coffee as we admire the morning’s arrival, or a glass of wine as we count the stars, we make sure to stop the hustle and enjoy the natural beauty around us. We often talk about business and family or our goals and dreams. However, there are times when we say nothing and simply enjoy the beauty around us. We make sure to check in with each other — providing the necessary support and encouragement to get through the challenges that face us throughout the day. We are lucky enough to live in Alewa Heights, where we overlook the Kakaako, Downtown, and Kahili neighborhoods, as well as the heavenly Honolulu Harbor and bustling airport.

David Bennett (808) 392-7515 david@seniorhealth.pro

Irma Bennett (808) 799-0399 irma@seniorhealth.pro

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January/February 2025

(808) 392-7515

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to the mainland, or making a trip to Japan or Australia. You can even identify the cargo flights, as they always take a different approach and use a novel runway. However, the best of all are the military jets. They are remarkably speedy and deafeningly loud and sometimes go straight upward like a rocket until they have vanished from sight. The Neighborhoods Hawaiians have an unparalleled love for fireworks. On New Year’s Eve, we overlook a panoramic cavalcade of sparklers, Roman candles, firecrackers, and aerials as they compete with one another to light up the night sky. It goes on for

hours! We capture the madness on our phones and send videos to our friends and family on the mainland, who have never seen anything quite like it. We look forward to our time on the lanai, as it gives us an opportunity to reconnect with each

other, as well as take in the beauty of Hawaii and marvel at a city in action. Hawaii never ceases to amaze us.

–David and Irma Bennett

THE JOY OF LEARNING

your mind around, know that when you do finally break it down into manageable concepts and learn the ins and outs, you will have achieved something remarkable. Endeavor to master new interests and disciplines. You can master working with your hands and develop skills such as woodworking and painting. Or, you can learn a new language, and plan a trip overseas to master your new tongue. Whatever you set out to do, put the maximum amount of effort into it. You will appreciate what you can accomplish when you are committed and don’t resign yourself to being less than what you were before. EMBRACING A GROWTH MINDSET

As we grow older, we encounter a great deal of change. We are forced to adapt to new routines and remedies to combat our shifting reality. However, we are also granted a chance to continue the journey we have been on our entire lives: the journey of learning. We are not destined to decline, and improvement is possible if we work hard. By adopting a growth mindset — accepting that we can learn and grow through determined effort — we can spend our latter years becoming the best versions of ourselves we can be. Change Is Good Every year, millions of people embark on New Year’s resolutions.

They commit themselves to read more, lose weight, or improve their professional prowess. We can apply this commitment to our intellectual growth, and embrace the fact that change can be a positive. Treat learning like a new job and new technologies as tools to help you achieve your goals. You have no reason to be complacent; instead, commit yourself to self- improvement. Challenges Are Opportunities When you encounter a new challenge, treat it as an opportunity to learn something new.

Even when a topic is difficult to wrap

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Maintaining low blood sugar helps prevent cognitive decline, kidney disease, nerve damage, and more. However, many don’t know how to lower their blood sugar if it’s starting to reach dangerous levels. Here are two lifestyle changes that can help keep blood sugar low while improving other aspects of your health. Exercise regularly. Exercise becomes increasingly important as we age, but this doesn’t mean you have to go all out every time you strap on your running shoes or go to the gym. Experts recommend that you get around 150 minutes of exercise every week, and it doesn’t have to be any more strenuous than a brisk walk. You’ll see much better results if you pick a routine that’s easy to maintain and follow. Cut back on ultra-processed foods. When people try to keep their blood sugar balanced, they usually make an added effort to reduce their intake of sweets. However, nearly all processed carbs pose a risk. Even eating things like bread, pasta, noodles, and white rice can raise sugar levels. Pay attention to what you eat, and your body will thank you.

People tend to pay more attention to their overall health and fitness as they age. If you ignore your aches, pains, and injuries, they’re more likely to worsen, which is why so many of us go out of our way to track specific health measurements. One measurement you should track, especially if you’re showing symptoms of prediabetes, is your blood sugar.

ONE-POT CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP

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your calorie limit. Fatty fish like salmon contain a great number of omega-3 fatty acids, which are optimal for maintaining peak body function. Garlic, in addition to being a delicious additive to just about every savory recipe on the planet, is rich in vitamins C, B1, and B6 and is a great source of calcium and potassium. Potatoes can provide you with iron, copper, and magnesium — key minerals difficult to find in many foods.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

• 2 1/2 lbs skinless, bone-in chicken thighs • 1 tsp salt • 1 tsp pepper • 2 tbsp olive oil • 1 large onion, chopped • 3 garlic cloves, minced • 10 cups chicken broth • 4 celery ribs, chopped • 4 medium carrots, chopped • 2 bay leaves • 1 tsp dried thyme • 3 cups uncooked egg noodles (about 8 oz) • 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley • 1 tbsp lemon juice Inspired by TasteOfHome.com

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper. In an 8-quart stockpot over medium-high heat, add oil and chicken and cook until golden brown, 3–4 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside. 2. Add onion to drippings; cook over medium- high heat for 4–5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add broth and bring to a boil. Return chicken to pot. Add celery, carrots, bay leaves, and thyme. Reduce heat and cover; simmer until chicken is tender, 25–30 minutes. 3. Turn off heat. Remove chicken to a plate. Add noodles and let stand, covered, until noodles are tender, 20–22 minutes. 4. Shred chicken meat into bite-size pieces, and return to pot. Stir in parsley and lemon juice, and discard bay leaves.

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(808) 392-7515

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

1326-C Alewa Dr. Honolulu, HI 96817 (808) 392-7515 hawaii.seniorhealth.pro

Inside This Issue

1 The Wonderful Views From Alewa Heights 2 Now Is the Best Time to Embrace a Growth Mindset 3 Simple Lifestyle Tweaks to Keep Your Blood Sugar in Check 3 One-Pot Chicken Noodle Soup 4 Feeling Great Starts on Your Plate

Fuel Your Best Self

We are what we eat. The best way to feel better, day in and day out, is to eat better. By maintaining a balanced diet, eating nutrient-rich foods, and diligently managing our dietary restrictions and proclivities, we can live a healthier, longer, and more enjoyable life. Here are three tips for achieving the diet you need to feel the way you want to feel. Balanced Diet If you want to feel your best, you need to eat a healthy, balanced diet. This means balancing whole grains, vegetables, healthy proteins and oils, fruits, and water. According to the Healthy Eating Plate model, you

should aim to have veggies and fruits make up the majority of your plate, and you should aim to spruce things up with diverse flavors and colors. Whole grains, like wheat, quinoa, oats, and brown rice, should encompass at least a quarter of your plate. The rest should be made up of proteins like fish, poultry, beans, and nuts. In addition, healthy plant oils can be used in moderation to help enhance flavor. Managing Dietary Restrictions Ensuring your diet does not run afoul of any dietary restrictions you may have is paramount to living healthily. If you have allergies and intolerances, you should steer

clear of them whenever possible. For

instance, if you are intolerant of dairy or

gluten products, there are substitutes for dairy and gluten products everywhere these days, and incorporating these can do wonders for your health. Nutrient-Rich Food You want to eat foods that pack a punch. You should ensure your diet includes foods rich in vitamins and nutrients that do not take you over

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