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OCTOBER 2022
HEALTHY, WEALTHY,
& Wise
1 Denver Federal Center Building 45, Entrance E-9, Room 1050 Lakewood, CO 80225
OPEN YOUR MIND — IN THE KITCHEN! A LESSON FROM BLACK BEANS AND GOOP
If you’ve known me for a while, you probably know I am a red meat eater. I love my steaks and cheeseburgers, and I always have! However, one of my most wonderful clients is vegan — and a few weeks ago, she brought brownies to my office. This client is also a friend. We have lovely conversations about food, health, and holistic wellness. So, I wasn’t about to turn down that brownie! I picked up a morsel and took a bite. I swear to you, I almost moaned out loud. The brownie was delicious . It was rich, chocolatey, sweet, and absolutely swoon- worthy. So, you can imagine my surprise when I asked my friend for the recipe and discovered the brownies were made with black beans, one of my least favorite foods! I’m glad my friend didn’t tell me about the beans up front, because I might have turned down one of the best brownies of all time. This experience reminded me how important it is to stay open-minded and willingly try new things. It’s so easy to settle into our palettes and get stuck in our ways. This applies to everything from food to friendships, ideas, and beliefs. We get used to what we like and stick to that, forgetting there is a world of diversity to explore! The things we think we dislike may not be as terrible as they seem — and the things we love may totally turn off someone else.
For example, I grew up eating a dish that my family simply called “goop.” It was invented by my Grammy, the foremost cook in a household of great cooks. Grammy was a farm wife, and when the bailing crew came through to bail hay, she would always set out lavish meals for them. Those spreads included dessert, and one of her most famous was goop. To make goop, you start with a graham cracker pie crust. Then, you spread chocolate chips across the bottom of the crust and make a batch of homemade vanilla pudding. While the pudding is still warm, you pour it over the chocolate chips so that they melt into gooey swirls. After chilling the goop, you top the whole thing with meringue. I love to cook just like Grammy, my mother, and my aunts — and goop is a staple in my kitchen. But if I handed you a slice without explanation, you might run in the other direction! If you did, you would miss out on one of the Midwest’s best delicacies. Trying new things can be intimidating. It takes confidence and excitement to explore something different. If you want to cultivate that mindset, I suggest starting in the kitchen. It’s easy to explore cooking these days thanks to the internet. I keep almost all of my recipes on Evernote and turn to Google whenever I want to try something new. If you’re new to cooking from scratch, here is my advice: Start by asking yourself, “What am I hungry for today?” Then, pull up Google and type that meal into the search bar. Make sure you add the word “best” in front of it (ex. “best Waldorf salad” or “best pulled-pork mac and cheese”). Then, pick the best-looking recipe that pops up and go from there. You can even rope your spouse, kids, and grandkids into learning along with you. November is National Cookbook Month, so there’s no better time to start! P.S. If you want to make something sweet, you can find that vegan, gluten-free black bean brownie recipe on MinimalistBaker.com . Simply search “black bean brownies.” –Ann Vanderslice
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A CAT COAUTHORED AN INFLUENTIAL PHYSICS PAPER
The True Story of F.D.C. Willard
Cats defy the laws of physics all the time, so it’s only fitting a cat would teach us physics more directly — by coauthoring a highly cited, influential physics paper. In 1975, Jack H. Hetherington was a professor of physics at Michigan State University, and he completed a paper on atomic behavior. However, he had a problem: As a sole author, Hetherington had used “we” throughout the paper. A colleague pointed out that publishers reserved that language for papers with multiple authors. With today’s software, this would be a minor inconvenience. But to fix his error in 1975, Hetherington would have to retype the entire paper manually on his typewriter. Time was short, and Hetherington had done all the work himself.
invented “F.D.C. Willard.” The initials stand for Felis Domesticus Chester. The last name, Willard, was the name of Chester’s father.
The professor didn’t feel too guilty for trying to deceive the publisher: “Why would I do such an irreverent thing? … If it eventually proved to be correct, people would remember the paper more if the anomalous authorship were known. In any case, I went ahead and did it and have generally not been sorry.” The journal loved the paper, but the ruse stayed secret among his close colleagues until a visitor arrived to meet the authors. When Hetherington told them the truth, they laughed, and not long after that, the feline co-author became quite famous.
F.D.C. Willard not only saved Hetherington from rewriting the entire paper, but also continues to inspire cat-related academia antics. On April 1, 2014, the American Physical Society (APS) announced all cat-authored papers would be made freely available. “Not since Schrödinger has there been an opportunity like this for cats in physics,” they wrote. We couldn’t agree more.
According to Hetherington’s 1982 book, “More Random Walks in Science,” he explained, “After an evening’s thought, I simply asked the secretary to change the
title page to include the name of the family cat.” And that’s what happened. The professor named his Siamese cat, Chester, as his coauthor.
Of course, the name Chester wouldn’t look convincing as a scientific paper coauthor. So, he
DOING GOOD DOES YOU GOOD Volunteering has been shown to strengthen a community. However, it’s also a benefit for the person who serves. For those who enjoy spending their time giving back, check out how volunteering opportunities can benefit you!
Build the Community Through Giving
interests with other volunteers. You can even invite your family or friends to help, and then catch up while doing something good for the community. GIVES A FEELING OF PURPOSE Sometimes, as life changes and you grow older, your sense of purpose may begin to fade. Volunteering can help recharge a zest for life and may even motivate you to set and accomplish new goals. There are many reasons to volunteer: whether it’s to give back to the community, help the environment, or satisfy your own personal needs. No matter the reason, it’s a great way to get out there and do some good.
IMPROVES MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH When you do good, you feel good. These positive emotions lead to greater emotional resilience which, in turn, helps you deal with crisis or stress. These positive emotions also help decrease stress while increasing positive, relaxed feelings. Volunteering provides a sense of meaning and appreciation which can reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Volunteer activities also keep people moving. Whether it’s carrying donation boxes, walking around the neighborhood, planting a community garden, or even cleaning litter from the roads, this moderate physical activity can help strengthen muscles, reduce blood pressure, and even alleviate symptoms of chronic pain. PREVENTS ISOLATION AND PROMOTES SOCIALIZATION Many older adults often feel l solatedwhich can have negative impacts on their overall health. Volunteering is a great way to network with members of the community and meet new people. Likewise, after moving to a new neighborhood or leaving a career, it is often difficult to find a new social group. But when you work with people toward the same goal, you may find you have common
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IS IT ALLERGIES — OR POOR AIR QUALITY?
Three Reasons Why Indoor Air Affects Your Health
Third, test for radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas. The EPA estimates that radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer. Radon gas is inert, colorless, odorless, and comes from the natural decay of uranium found in nearly all soils. While rising out of the ground, it can become trapped in your home. The solution: First test your home for radon. If you find alarming levels of radon, installing a radon reduction system can pull the radon from the soil beneath your house and release it outside. You can also seal cracks in the floor and walls and improve air circulation with the steps above. According to the EPA, indoor air quality is almost always two to five times worse than outdoors. With the right steps, however, you won’t sneeze as much. Great air quality will make your home feel like a healthy paradise.
When the weather starts getting cooler, people spend more time indoors — and that’s when the sneezing starts. But the problem isn’t always the season. Sometimes, it’s simply home air quality. Let’s break down the worst threats, plus some potential solutions. First, biological pollutants love homes. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), up to half of all structures have damp conditions that may encourage molds and bacteria to grow. This can cause major allergic reactions, including asthma. Other biological pollutants include animal dander (minute scales from hair, feathers, or skin), dust mites, cockroach parts, and pollen. The solution: Remove or relocate air quality threats. Dust and construction materials (wood, wallboard, or insulation) contain nutrients that allow bio pollutants to grow.
Firewood can also be a source of moisture, fungi, and bugs. Make sure your appliances (humidifiers, kerosene and gas heaters, and gas stoves) aren’t adding too much moisture into the air. You’ll be able to tell from musty odors, moisture on hard surfaces, or even water stains. Second, ome air circulation probably isn’t good enough. Most heating and cooling systems (including forced air heating systems) don’t bring fresh air into your house. Although cooking can smell delicious, it can introduce more smoke or air contaminants indoors. Hobbies like painting or welding can also add air contaminants. The solution: Because outdoor air tends to be cleaner, cracking open a window can do wonders to improve your air quality. Bathroom or kitchen fans that exhaust outdoors can bring outdoor air into your home.
Train Your
BRAIN!
Creamy Parmesan Orecchiette
Inspired by PinchOfYum.com
INGREDIENTS
For pasta: • 16 oz orecchiette • 3 cups cubed butternut squash • 3 cups broccolini • Olive oil • Salt, to taste • Ground black pepper, to taste • Pumpkin seeds
For sauce: • 3 tbsp butter • 2 cloves garlic • 1–2 tsp fresh minced thyme • 3 tbsp flour • 2–3 cups chicken broth • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese • Lemon juice, to taste • Salt, to taste
DIRECTIONS
1. Cook orecchiette according to package directions. 2. On 2 baking sheets, place veggies. Drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roast at 400 F for 20–30 minutes until tender. 3. In a pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and thyme, then sauté until soft. Add flour and whisk until smooth. Pour in the chicken broth 1/2 cup at a time, whisking to incorporate. Finish with Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and salt. 4. Toss everything together. Top generously with pumpkin seeds and Parmesan cheese.
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PO Box 260787 Lakewood, CO 80226-0787 issue INSIDE THIS A Kitchen Lesson from Ann PAGE 1
Federal Benefits Made Simple, an E.A. Buck Company is an independent financial services firm helping individuals create retirement strategies using a variety of insurance and investment products to custom suit their needs and objectives. This firm is not affiliated with or endorsed by the US government or any governmental agency. E.A. Buck is an independent financial services firm, offering investment and insurance products to consumers. Securities offered only by duly registered individuals through Madison Avenue Securities, LLC (MAS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered only by duly registered individuals through AE Wealth Management, LLC (AEWM), a Registered Investment Adviser. Insurance services offered through Federal Benefits Made Simple an E.A. Buck Company. MAS, AEWM, and Federal Benefits Made Simple, an E.A. Buck company are all separate entities 1496212- 10/22.
A Cat Helped Write a Physics Paper?
Benefits of Volunteering for Older Adults PAGE 2
Is It Allergies or Poor Air Quality?
Creamy Parmesan Orecchiette PAGE 3
Three Picture-Perfect Destinations PAGE 4
FALL IN LOVE WITH THE SCENERY! Three Places to Travel This Season
Fall is the perfect time to plan a scenic vacation. You can find lower prices and fewer crowds at many popular destinations. Best of all, the views are incredible - from the changing colors of leaves to sunsets and mountains. Here are three popular destinations to fall in love with this season. 1. ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA Everyone can find something to enjoy in the mountains of the Carolinas. You can drive the Blue Ridge Parkway or hike the Appalachian Trail for breathtaking views of mountains, unsets, and sunrises. For history fans, get lost at the Biltmore Estate and learn more about the Vanderbilts and the birth of forestry in the US. If you’re a fan of nightlife, Asheville is known as Beer City USA, with more than 30 breweries and over 100 local brews. 2. YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, WYOMING The wildlife in Yellowstone gets increasingly active in the fall, so you’ll likely get a chance to see bison, elk, eagles, and maybe even moose or bears preparing for hibernation. If you love to
be outdoors during the cooler months, then you will love biking, fishing, and hiking here during the fall. However, be aware that some roads will close for the winter in mid-October, so review park information ahead of time for accessibility. 3. SEDONA, ARIZONA It may be too hot to visit Arizona during the summer, but the fall months are perfect because the temperatures drop somewhat. If you love to see trees bursting with colorful leaves, hike the Baldwin Trail and Cookstove Trail. Sycamore, oak, and maple trees will shade you with their colorful canopies. Also, each year, the city holds a Day of the Dead celebration you can attend at the Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village in late October. These are only three of the many breathtaking destinations you can visit this season. For more locations, go to TravelAndLeisure. com/trip-ideas/fall-vacations/best-fall-vacations. So, what are you waiting for? Book your trip now, and don’t forget to pack a camera to capture the picture-perfect views!
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