The Joy of New Experiences When was the last time you stepped outside your comfort zone? If you’re not entirely sure, you’re not alone. We think if our current routine isn’t broken, there’s no reason to fix it. But there’s value in trying new things and seeking out new experiences, and Take a Chance Day on April 23 encourages us to ask ourselves what we’d do with our time if fear weren’t holding us back. We may not consciously think of ourselves as “afraid” to try new things. We tell ourselves, “I just don’t want to.” That may be true in some cases; running a marathon isn’t for everybody. But for many others, the idea might be appealing, even if it makes us nervous and uncomfortable. We worry about making a fool of ourselves and navigating unfamiliar situations. And as we age, many of us believe the adage, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” Fortunately, it’s simply not true. Whether or not we realize it, we decide whether we’ll stay stuck in our ways or continue to grow. Cognitively healthy brains are more than capable of learning, no matter how old they are. And it’s good for our health. Our brains are like any other muscle, and they atrophy when we don’t use them enough. New experiences make us feel younger and sharper, and learning new things may even reduce our likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s. TAKE A CHANCE
Trying new things helps us relate to others better; it’s easier to understand someone when you’ve dipped your toes into their culture, hobbies, or interests. New adventures also give us new memories. You don’t remember the same old things you do every day, but you probably will remember that samba class for a long time. Further, we never know whether we’ll be skilled at something until we try it. Perhaps you’ve got an artistic or musical streak you never realized existed. But even if you flop, there’s no harm done. You don’t have to be Louis Armstrong to pick up an instrument or Vincent Van Gogh to find joy in painting.
There are many other reasons people of all ages should seek out novelty. For a start, it’s an excellent way to meet new people and forge connections.
Along the way, you’ll also learn that being less-than-stellar at something isn’t the end of the world. Life goes on — and there are more new things to try!
TASTY SPINACH ARTICHOKE DIP
Inspired by DinnerAtTheZoo.com
Celebrate Earth Day by eating a tasty and healthy snack — spinach artichoke dip!
INGREDIENTS:
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8 oz spinach leaves
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1/4 tsp black pepper
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided Sliced bread, crackers, or tortilla chips for serving
1 cup sour cream
3/4 cup chopped marinated artichoke hearts
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1 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp salt
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Coat a small baking dish with cooking spray. 2. In a medium pan, steam or sauté spinach until wilted. When spinach cools, ring out excess water, then chop coarsely. 3. In a large bowl, mix cream cheese, sour cream, spinach, artichoke hearts, garlic, salt, pepper, Parmesan cheese, and 3/4 cup of mozzarella cheese. 4. Spread the mixture onto the prepared baking dish. Top with remaining mozzarella cheese. 5. Bake for 20 minutes or until the dip is bubbly. Turn the oven to broil and cook for an additional 2–3 minutes so the cheese will begin to brown. 6. Immediately serve with bread, crackers, or tortilla chips. DIRECTIONS:
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