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August was a whirlwind of bustling airports and living out of a suitcase, as well as heartwarming family visits and OUR JOURNEY FROM MONTANA’S MOUNTAINS TO CALIFORNIA’S COAST THREE STATES, ONE FAMILY Agents For Life
Montana’s natural beauty, just the idea of its harsh winters confirmed our decision to remain visitors. Next, we found ourselves in Louisville, Kentucky, visiting our son Kevin, his wife Sierra, and their bustling household of five children. Their lives, a harmonious blend of work, homeschooling, and endless energy, played out in a picturesque suburban setting. The vast, green lawns and sprawling neighborhoods were a stark contrast to our Hawaiian landscapes. Our afternoons were filled with laughter and splashes at the pool, and evenings were spent battling in fierce board games where the kids had already conquered the cutthroat capitalism of Monopoly.
grand adventures across the country. As we journeyed through Montana, Kentucky, and Southern California, each stop brought its own unique flavor of joy and togetherness. Our first destination was Missoula, Montana, where we visited our oldest son, Jason, and his family. Their home was a slice of paradise, nestled between majestic mountains with a river cutting right through. Together, we kayaked down the river, basked in the warm sun, and later cooled off in a riverside restaurant.
David Bennett (808) 392-7515 david@seniorhealth.pro
Our final leg took us to Southern California, starting in rural Ramona, where our daughter Suzanne’s family was immersed in the hustle of competitive sports and teenage life. Watching our grandkids excel in various sports was a proud and thrilling experience. Yet, it was the
The simplicity and bounty of Montana life were more than evident at a local farmers market, where the shock of affordable, fresh produce delighted my wife Irma. We were also fortunate to have such a talented daughter-in- law who spoiled us with homemade rosemary sourdough bread and rich, flavorful stews. Despite the allure of
Irma Bennett (808) 799-0399 irma@seniorhealth.pro
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November/December 2024
(808) 392-7515
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and watch shimmering schools of fish glide by. It was a joy to see December, who had just started first grade, run from exhibit to exhibit with the kind of pure excitement only a child can have. Her life is a vibrant mix of birthday parties, dance classes, and playdates, and it’s clear Levi and Heather cherish every moment with her. We also had the opportunity to visit Irma’s parents in Hemet, where they are the proud ages of 96 and 97 —
Throughout this journey, what stood out the most was the strength and warmth of family connections. Whether it was kayaking through Montana, navigating the loud joy of board games in Kentucky, or cheering on soccer games in California, each moment was a reminder of the beautiful tapestry of our family life. Now, back home in Hawaii, looking back on our travels, I’m reminded of how richly blessed we are. As we look forward to future gatherings, whether in the rolling hills of Montana or the sunny shores of California, it’s clear these family bonds are our greatest treasure.
ordinary moments — like witnessing our granddaughter’s classic truck restoration project and even meeting our two oldest grandkids’ boyfriend and girlfriend — that really underscored the fast pace at which they are all growing up.
Next up was San Diego, which was a whirlwind of family and ocean
adventures. We spent a delightful day with our son Levi, his wife Heather, and our granddaughter December at the Birch Aquarium in La Jolla. It’s a place where the mysteries of the ocean come alive, and you can touch starfish
proof of some fantastic genes! It was a special time as Irma’s five sisters were also in town. The family reunion allowed everyone to catch up and share stories as if no time had passed at all.
Creative Ways to Enjoy Retirement –David and Irma Bennett
Relax and Recharge
Retirees are the envy of their peers; they have the time and ability to pursue their hobbies and interests unhindered by a 9-to-5 work schedule. However, retirement can sometimes feel a bit empty. How do retirees fill their newfound spare time in a rewarding and interesting way? Luckily, there are some wonderful hobbies that can help them explore their creative side. From planting seeds to saying “Cheese,” here are some hobbies for retirees. Gardening While this is not a hobby many would traditionally consider “creative,” gardening is actually a great way for homeowners to express their creative vision and bring a yard from merely maintained to vibrant and spectacular. It also helps maintain physical and mental wellness, by focusing on a task that requires both knowledge and skill with your hands to do well. Best of all, the exercise is low-impact, and you get to witness the positive evolution of your yard while growing healthier yourself. You can see
as the seeds you’ve buried, the water you’ve poured, and the branches you have pruned contribute to an active, growing, and successful yard-sized environment. Sculpting There are few things more satisfying than turning an inert block of clay into a work of art. Sculpting is a great way to work with your hands and develop a skill that allows you to create your own decor, cups, plates, and other crafts. It can be adapted to fit your own personal needs or to make memorable gifts for friends and family. Photography In retirement, you finally have time to soak up the air and chew on the scenery. Photography allows you to display your appreciation of the world around you while capturing your perspective through a camera lens. Whether you are taking shots of wonderful natural vistas or engaging portraits, the photos will bear your personal touch and bring still images to life.
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Although the holiday season often enables us to reconnect with friends and loved ones in person, maintaining that spirit of tangible togetherness all year can often be a struggle. Sure, social media is fine for “likes,” but nothing beats sitting down with people whose company you enjoy. If you’re looking for a new way to stay connected with family members, friends from college, old work colleagues, or anyone else within a reasonable travel distance, starting a dinner club may be perfect! TIPS FOR LAUNCHING YOUR OWN DINNER CLUB Gather, Savor, Repeat
interest you also love (classic movies, model airplanes, etc.), or you have a group of old friends you’d love to catch up with over a great meal. The trick is to be mindful of your club’s membership size. Ideally, it should be large enough for guests to connect with several friends or new people but small enough to ensure intimacy. Choosing Your Dinner Destination Determining the best settings for your dinner club gatherings is key to their success. For example, hosting them at members’ homes on a revolving basis (with the host or other members doing the cooking) would help the invitees avoid cramming into a noisy restaurant and having to shout at each other while seated at a long table. Matching Mood and Menu Coming up with interesting themes for each meal adds a thrill to the festivities. Maybe one of your members would like to give cooking a vegan meal a try. Perhaps another member would love to share an amazing recipe they picked up while vacationing in Mexico. The possibilities are endless! No matter how you structure your dinner club, the goal is to have fun and spend time with wonderful people. Bon appétit!
Conceptualizing Your Club There are no hard-and-fast rules to creating and
maintaining a dinner club. You could start by giving your club a fancy name and deciding how often it should meet. From there, think about the people you want to invite. For example, maybe you know people who share a particular
Spinach, Lentil, and Roasted Beet Salad
DIRECTIONS
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1. Preheat oven to 400 F and grease a rimmed baking sheet. 2. To a small saucepan over medium- high heat, add lentils and stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20–30 minutes uncovered until all liquid is absorbed. Set aside. 3. Add leeks and beets to the baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Bake 15–20 minutes. For crispier beets, bake for an additional 10–15 minutes. Set aside. 4. In a small bowl, whisk all dressing ingredients until combined. 5. In a larger serving bowl, combine
outdoors, or at the gym, and it is adaptable, so it can meet your strength and fitness level. Pickleball Pickleball is a low-impact sport that is exceedingly popular among older adults. It is similar to tennis but with a lighter ball and racket. Like chess, it is easy to learn but difficult to master. It can be played in singles or doubles, so you can exercise with a partner! The best thing about pickleball is that its difficulty is based on your opponent, and it’s a great way to make friends.
INGREDIENTS
• 1/2 cup green lentils, rinsed • 1 cup vegetable stock or water • 3 medium leeks, chopped • 1 medium beet, quartered • 1–2 tbsp olive oil • 1/4 tsp each salt and pepper • 4 big handfuls of spinach Dressing • 1/4 cup tahini • 1/2 medium lemon, juiced • 2 tbsp maple syrup • 3–4 tbsp olive oil • 1 pinch each salt and pepper
spinach, beets, leeks, and lentils. Add dressing and toss to coat.
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Inside This Issue
1 A Month of Family, Fun, and Memories Across the U.S. 2 Enjoy Retirement Creatively 3 How to Make a Meal a Lasting Memory 3 Spinach, Lentil, and Roasted Beet Salad 4 Fun and Easy Exercises
FUN FITNESS EASY EXERCISES TO KEEP YOU MOVING
The importance of regular exercise — especially for the older folks among us ― cannot be overstated. According to research published in BioMed Research International, physical activity improves mental well-being and quality of life. On top of that, being physically fit helps protect us against heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and some cancers. None of that changes the fact that exercise can be grueling, miserable, and generally inconvenient. However, there are fun ways to exercise that reap the same benefits.
Here are some fun, engaging activities to help you stay physically active and mentally fit.
until you are on your tip toes, then slowly lower yourself back down.
Toe Lifts This simple exercise helps
Farmer’s Walk If you want to make strides toward being physically fit, then the farmer’s walk may be the perfect exercise for you. Best of all, it is simple and easy to do. While holding dumbbell weights in each hand, walk forward slowly. Then, turn around and walk back. You can do it at home,
strengthen your ankles and improve the strength of your leg’s tendons, muscles, and ligaments. Also vital, it can help strengthen your Achilles tendon, which is the largest and most important tendon we have. To do toe lifts, simply hold onto a chair, stand up slowly, and place your feet hip-width apart. Raise your heels
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