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OUR MOST MEMORABLE CHILDHOOD ANIMALS PET PROJECTS
Agents For Life
Our pets are a massive part of our lives, with at least 70% of American households caring for one. Much to our kids’ dismay, we don’t currently have any pets, but we both had plenty as children. We both grew up in rural California, and having animals roaming around was a way of life. Sierra grew up on a hobby farm, so she always had goats, pigs, cows, and chickens around the house. Her mother was a teacher, and students’ parents regularly offered her animals, and she’d take them. Her mom’s favorites were chickens, which she’d buy as babies at the feed store, name, and let into the house. Since they couldn’t tell the sex of the chickens when they bought them, the family had to wait until they got older to see if they had any roosters — which were aggressive and terrifying! Sierra’s job was to collect the eggs; the goal was to get in and out of the pen before the rooster attacked. It was almost always a losing game, and Sierra exited with pecked shins more times than she could count. Our kids are horrified by this
Another time, Sierra’s family took in a baby pig from a nearby farm. Marie was the runt of the litter and wouldn’t have lived much longer with her mother, so Sierra nursed her back to health in the family bathroom. Sierra’s brother wasn’t thrilled, but nothing sounded better to her as a 10-year-old than a pig as a pet. Marie often slept in Sierra’s bed with her. Over the years, there were many more animals, especially as Sierra got involved with 4-H. In particular, she did barrel racing and had a few horses she’d use for the sport. She had to keep her horses in excellent condition, and she learned a lot about responsibility from caring for them over the years. Kevin’s pets were more conventional. He was most fond of the first one he remembers, a German shepherd named Samson. Back then, children and animals usually spent the entire day outside. Samson would accompany
Kevin Bennett (502) 966-7810 kevin@seniorhealth.pro
Kevin and his brothers on adventures through the nearby woods and creek. He felt like a protector, and the two had a close bond.
Sierra Bennett (502) 966-7804 sierra@seniorhealth.pro
story, but “you need to outrun the rooster” just seemed like a fact of life back then.
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May/June 2023
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Even better, those who develop a cold generally report less time with symptoms. Some experts believe more research is needed, but those concerned about illness may find desirable benefits. Lowers Cholesterol People with high cholesterol levels are at a higher risk of heart disease, but garlic supplements may reduce the total LDL (bad cholesterol) in our bloodstream. Several studies show the impact could be as much as a 10% or 15% reduction. Further, garlic achieves this without impacting HDL, the good cholesterol we all need. Reduces High Blood Pressure High blood pressure (hypertension) contributes to several serious medical problems, including stroke, heart attack, and heart failure. In fact, high blood pressure causes more than 13% of worldwide deaths! Fortunately, studies show that consuming four cloves of garlic daily or its equivalent can significantly in the wild and others they bought at a local store. At one point, the family had a boa constrictor. The boys loved feeding it mice, but the family’s only girl was terrified and would shove a towel under the space between her door every night — just in case. Once, the snake escaped, and the family found it hiding in a wall after hours of looking. Like Sierra, Kevin remembers a sense of pride in caring for his pets, including a classroom rat he took home during one summer vacation. It was a taste of responsibility and an introduction to caring for
others, which would serve him well later in life.
We’re used to getting bad news about our favorite food indulgences, so it’s particularly exciting when something tasty offers health benefits. Ancient civilizations frequently used garlic as medicine, and modern science suggests they were onto something. Research indicates that consuming raw garlic is good for us in many ways. Here are a few of the potential benefits. Boosts Immunity Multiple studies indicate that a daily garlic supplement can significantly reduce the risk of catching a cold or flu virus compared to a placebo. 4 HEALTH BENEFITS OF GARLIC More Than a Vampire Repellent Later, they took in a German shepherd-Rottweiler crossbreed named Dylan. Dylan was enormous and highly aggressive to anyone outside the family. Kevin’s dad even called him “a lawsuit waiting to happen.” Dylan would get so worked up about a passing car that he’d run directly into the side of it! Kevin’s parents once had to pay to fix a resulting dent. Then the family’s boys went through a reptile phase. They had lizards and turtles, some of which they found
reduce hypertension. Research even suggests garlic may be as effective as some prescription medications. Reduces Dementia Risk Oxidation contributes to the aging process of our cells, which plays a role in Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia. Therefore, some experts believe exposure to antioxidants might help reduce our risk of developing these conditions. And garlic is full of antioxidants — the same factor behind its blood pressure and cholesterol benefits. Still, more research is needed, so take this garlic advice with a grain of salt. While garlic is extremely popular — the average American consumes roughly 2 pounds yearly — the vegetable is not for everyone. If you dislike the taste, smell, or bloating associated with garlic, you can purchase over-the-counter dietary supplements. Just be sure to confirm the safety and correct dosage with your doctor. With histories like these, it’s probably surprising that we don’t have pets now. But animals mostly lived outdoors where and when we grew up, so it’s difficult to fathom indoor animals — especially in our already full house! But the kids regularly beg for a dog or a cat, and we’re sure we’ll cave eventually. If and when a furry family member comes home with us, we’ll share all the details. –Sierra and Kevin Bennett
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THE WORLD ISN’T ENDING 3 STRATEGIES TO REDUCE ANXIETY
When most people think of anxiety, they likely have negative connotations tied to it. Many make the assumption that anxiety will always lead to panic attacks and fears of major change, but just about anything can generate feelings of anxiety, and not all of them are harmful. However, if your anxiety stops you from doing something, it can hinder you almost every day. In honor of May being National Anxiety Month, here are three ways to reduce your anxiety. Daily Exercise Physical activity can increase your self-confidence, improve your mood, help you relax, and lower anxiety symptoms. You don’t have to do anything significant — you can go for a walk, take a hike, conduct at-home workouts, go to the gym for at least 30 minutes, or participate in yoga and Pilates. Meditate Sometimes, taking a step back, focusing on your breathing, and letting your thoughts flow in one ear and
out the other can help you put things in perspective. JAMA Internal Medicine published an article stating that practicing mindfulness can help ease feelings of anxiety, depression, and pain. You can meditate by following a guided meditation or silently sitting in a quiet area and breathing slowly. While meditating will be challenging at first, it will become easier with practice. Face Anxiety Head-On Many people try to avoid anything that could make them feel anxious. While this method may make you feel short- term comfort, it can cause you to be more anxious about specific scenarios. The best strategy to overcome anxiety is to face it head-on. Although it will be uncomfortable and challenging, don’t let it stop you! The more you put yourself out there, the less anxious you’ll feel. You’re stronger than you give yourself credit for! Please contact your health care provider if you’re worried about the anxious feelings you get. They can assist you with identifying your triggers, why anxiety is occurring, and methods you can use to reduce your symptoms.
Salmon Croquettes With Dill Sauce
that smiling at strangers (and having strangers smile at you) improves your sense of connection to your community. Finally, research indicates that when someone smiles at us, it activates the reward centers of our brains. In other words, a smile often feels like a gift. It can turn around someone’s bad day, make them feel seen, or remind them they’re not alone. That’s a lot of benefits for such a small action. ... continued from Page 4
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
• 1 1/2 cups plain yogurt or fat-free sour cream • 1/4 cup Dijon mustard • 6 sprigs fresh dill, chopped • 2 14.75-oz cans salmon packed in water • 4 celery stalks, finely chopped • 1 large white onion, finely chopped • 4 large eggs, beaten
1. In a small bowl, whisk together yogurt, Dijon mustard, and dill to make the dill sauce. Set aside. 2. Drain the salmon, then remove and discard the bones and skin. In a large bowl, mix the salmon, celery, onion, eggs, salt, and pepper. Form the mixture into 8 patties. Coat a medium skillet with olive oil and heat it over medium-high heat. Cook the patties until browned on both sides, about 5 minutes per side. 3. Put a dollop of the dill sauce on top of each patty and serve.
• 1/2 tbsp salt • 1 tbsp pepper • 2 tbsp olive oil
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Inspired by Epicurious.com
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7801 Pine Ridge Rd. Louisville, KY 40241 (502) 966-7810 kentucky.seniorhealth.pro
Inside This Issue 1 The Animals That Grew Up With Us 2 Can Garlic Benefit Your Health? 3 Anxiety CAN Be Overcome 3 Salmon Croquettes With Dill Sauce 4 The Surprising Benefits of Smiling at Strangers
creates more smiles, which can, in turn, improve others’ moods.
THE WHOLE WORLD SMILES WITH YOU Make Time to Grin at Others
Science has more to say about the positive effects of smiling. A better mood is associated with lower stress, and mountains of evidence suggest less stress reduces health problems. If you can improve your health and that of others by doing something so simple, why wouldn’t you? Smiling also eases our social interactions with people, particularly strangers. We smile at someone to thank them for holding a door or to show gratitude for ringing up our purchase. And we smile during potentially tense or uncomfortable situations to indicate we mean no harm. Further, one study suggests
A lot changed with the pandemic, and one effect is that we seem to be smiling less. Time behind masks and communicating with only our eyes has broken the habit for many of us. Some have noted that Americans seem to be grumpier these days. But is our smiling less a symptom or the cause? Multiple studies suggest that smiling makes us feel better — even when we’re unhappy. The “fake it till you make it” approach to joy seems to have multiple benefits. Scientists still don’t understand the mechanism, but there seems to be
a powerful mind-body connection at work. Mimicking a happy facial expression somehow tricks your body into being more positive. You won’t overcome depression this way, but making a point to smile might help you overcome a bad mood. But the benefits extend beyond you, and a simple smile can help make the world a better place. Smiling is contagious. When someone smiles at you, you usually smile back without thinking about it. Whether this response is biological or social, the effect is apparent: Your smile
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Your Agents for Life Thank You for Being Our Client! We appreciate the confidence you have in us and look forward to serving your Medicare needs. We’ve mastered the details so you don’t have to. We Represent All Medicare Plans We are Licensed Insurance Brokers, which means we represent all the Medicare plans in Kentucky. We look at all the plans available in Kentucky and help you select the Medicare plan that best fits your needs, regardless of which insurance company it’s from. Our promise is that we’ll tell you both the good and bad about each Medicare plan so you can evaluate the trade-offs. Once you understand the differences, you’ll know which plan is best for you. And that confidence will give you peace of mind. Family and Friends If you know someone who needs a trusted advisor for their Medicare plan, we would love to help them. Call us today. We’ll take very good care of them for you. Thanks!
Kevin Bennett (502) 966-7810 kevin@seniorhealth.pro
Sierra Bennett (502) 966-7804 sierra@seniorhealth.pro
TRUTH IN ADVERTISING?
If you’re on Medicare, you’ve been around the block and know that advertising can be misleading. No matter how much you want it to be true, it may not be. Making the Phone Ring The whole point of an advertisement is to make the phone ring. And because ads cost so much money, the claims are often stretched so more people will respond. National Advertising Versus Benefits by Zip Code Advertising is run nationally but plan benefits depend on your zip code. You can expect ads to describe the very best benefits offered somewhere in the USA, but not necessarily available in your zip code. Bait and Switch When you respond to ads promising free groceries, dental implants, flex cards, and lots of free government money, they have only one chance to switch you to a different plan. If you don’t qualify for the benefits you called about because of your zip code or income level, they’ll lean on you to change to whatever plan is available. Get the Whole Story Give us a call to get the whole story without any sales pressure. We know all the local plans and have mastered the details so you don’t have to. We’ll explain what’s real and what’s not. We’ll make sure you understand both the good and bad about your options so you can make the right decision.
Call us with your questions. We are your Agents for Life.
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