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NOVEMBER 2019
HEALTHY, WEALTHY,
&Wise
1 Denver Federal Center Building 45, Entrance E-9, Room 1050 Lakewood, CO 80225
Cookies, Crafts, and Caring THE EVOLUTION OF OUR COOKIE EXCHANGE
provide a box, and ask guests to pick 10 of their favorites to take home. That, and we were smart enough to have food. But basically, I think, that was it. The next two big additions were asking attendees to bring a new pair of socks as an entrance “fee” and hosting a crafts fair during the exchange. The donations are to benefit the Denver Rescue Mission, where socks are always among the most requested items, especially during the winter months. The craft fair came about simply because I knew a lot of federal employees and retirees who made wares as a side gig. I thought it would be an awesome place to show and sell their creations. This strange combination of ingredients has resulted in something I’m really proud of. Last year, we had the event in a heated tent because we had outgrown the size of any single space in our complex. For a few years prior, we were actually using two spaces, shuttling guests from one to the other.
colleague of mine is a magician named Scotty Wiese. He’ll be performing strolling magic at the Cookie Exchange, and his act is just incredible. Along with Wiese, we’ll have a live band, our biggest crafts fair ever, and cookies as far as the eye can see. Last year, we were able to donate 550 pairs of socks, and we’re hoping to set a new record this year. I hope you’ll join us for the ninth annual Retirement Planning Strategies Cookie Exchange on Tuesday, Dec. 3 from 11 a.m.–3:30 p.m. I promise you won’t be able to miss the giant tent in the parking lot. Bring a new pair of socks, your appetite, and plenty of holiday cheer. I never would’ve guessed that the Cookie Exchange would be what it is today, but it’s a testament to our wonderful team and clients. For as long as we’re lucky to serve you, I have a feeling we’ll be hosting this annual tradition.
Nine years ago, for no reason in particular, we decided to host the first Retirement Planning Strategies Cookie Exchange. If I remember correctly, the idea was little more than, “You know what? Let’s just bake some cookies and have a party.” Sure, it probably didn’t hurt that an employee at the time, Christine, had experience as a pastry chef. (In a weird and wonderful coincidence, I hired another person, Mariko, who was also a pastry chef.) Whatever the case, that humble first event was a hit, and it’s been growing every year since. We call it a cookie exchange based on the tried-and-true Christmas tradition, but it’s really never been an exchange in the traditional sense. Nobody is bringing their own cookies to trade with others. Instead, we bake them all — hundreds in the beginning, thousands these days —
Happy holidays, everyone!
–Ann Vanderslice
This year, we’ve decided to up the ante even further. The son of a former
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Never Bored, Not Even for a Minute “I loved my career, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” Maribeth Gustafson says of her time serving the Department of Agriculture as a member of the U.S. Forest Service. “It was everything I could’ve asked for in a career, but when the time came to retire, I was ready for the next chapter of my life.” MARIBETH GUSTAFSON’S HAUTE RETIREMENT
Everyone approaches retirement differently. Some enter it with trepidation, while others have no trouble transitioning to the next stage of life. Maribeth certainly falls into the latter camp. In fact, she’s approached retirement with such zeal that she’s hardly had time to catch her breath. “I’ve never been bored a minute in my life,” she says. “Someday, I may do the typical retirement thing and sit down and think about what I’d like to do, but for the time being, I’m enjoying living. I hike and ski regularly, and I have no trouble filling up my days.” While Maribeth may not have some grand plan for her retirement, she knew one adventure would likely be a part of it. “For about 15 years, I’ve dreamt of completing the Haute Route,” she says. “Recently, I had the chance to do it with three other women around the same age as me. It was an opportunity we were never going to pass up.” The route, which runs from Chamonix, France, to Zermatt, Switzerland, involves plenty of elevation changes and rough terrains. Undaunted, Maribeth and her group chose a self-guided route that involved hiking every day and stopping off every night at huts and hostels along the trail. If that weren’t enough, she hiked the Bernese Oberland trail right after finishing the Haute Route. Every day during the trip, Maribeth saw something new and wonderful. “During most hikes,” she notes, “you have a pretty good idea of where you are and how long you have because you go up and you go down. On this hike, every step was new. We did no backtracking, so we never knew what to expect. At the end of the Haute Route, for example, we turned a corner and all of a sudden were in full view of the Matterhorn. For the entirety of our descent into Zermatt, we could see the mountain towering in the distance. It was a vista unlike any I’d ever seen.” Obviously, Maribeth is not struggling to find meaning, adventure, and purpose after work. She believes everyone can experience the same. “You don’t change as a person just because you retire,” she says. “Personally, I’ve never lacked for enthusiasm about life, but if you struggle to envision what your retirement will look like, start with finding what it is you love. Once you know that, pursue it. Now’s the time for us to be a little selfish.” Maribeth’s last point is an important one, especially for federal employees. When people make a career of serving others, it can be hard to put the spotlight on themselves. But what is retirement if not a chance to do the things you’ve always wanted to?
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Tea has been consumed for thousands of years and is the second- most popular drink in the world, with water being the first. It is the national drink of several nations, including China and India, and is an integral component of religious ceremonies the world over. Drinking tea has been known to reduce stress, promote relaxation, and improve sleep. In addition to these instant benefits, tea can also help improve a person’s long-term health through regular consumption. YOUR HEART According to Harvard Health Institute, several studies show that those who regularly drink black and green tea are at a lower risk of Tea Time
WHAT’S SWIRLING AROUND IN YOUR CUP?
reduce any vascular damage to the brain. The National University of Singapore has conducted studies that link reduced risks of dementia in the elderly with regular tea consumption. The results speak for themselves: “The longitudinal study involving 957 Chinese seniors aged 55 years or older has found that regular consumption of tea lowers the risk of cognitive decline in the elderly by 50%, while APOE e4 gene carriers who are genetically at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease may experience a reduction in cognitive impairment risk by as much as 86%.” YOUR MOOD Tea leaves contain the amino acid L-theanine, which stimulates several feel-good neurotransmitters, like serotonin and gamma- Aminobutyric acid (GABA). These neurotransmitters help boost your mood and alertness. According to a study by the Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China, tea even has the ability to ward off depression. The study took 22,817 participants with 4,743 cases of depression over 11 studies, and 13 reports found that individuals who drank three cups of tea a day decreased their depression risk by 37%. So, the next time you want a warm beverage that will do your mind and body good, reach for some tea and bask in all the health benefits as you sip.
developing cardiovascular disease. These types of tea contain antioxidants and flavonoids, which are plant chemicals that help dilate arteries and reduce bad cholesterol. Studies also link tea consumption with improved vascular reactivity — how well
your blood vessels respond to stress.
YOUR BRAIN Flavonoids don’t only fight heart disease; these chemicals can also
Train Your
BRAIN!
Green Beans With Ginger and Garlic
Inspired by Food & Wine Magazine
INGREDIENTS
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger • 1 tsp crushed red pepper • Kosher salt, to taste
• 2 lbs whole green beans, ends trimmed • 6 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
DIRECTIONS
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. To the side of the stove, prepare a large bucket of ice water. 2. Cook beans in boiling water for 4 minutes. Immediately transfer to ice In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, 30 seconds. Stir in ground ginger and crushed pepper. Add green beans. 3. Cook together for 2–3 minutes. 4. Transfer to plate and serve
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PO Box 260787 Lakewood, CO 80226-0787
This does not constitute an offer to buy or sell any security. Investments in securities are not suitable for all investors. Investment in any security may involve a high degree of risk and investors should review all "Risk Factors" before investing. Investors should perform their own due diligence before considering any investment. Past performance and/or forward looking statements are never an assurance of future results. Investment products, Insurance, and Annuity products are not FDIC Insured/Not Bank Guaranteed/ Not Insured by any Federal Government Agency/May Lose Value. Securities offered through Cabot Lodge Securities LLC New York, NY 10281-- Member FINRA and SIPC. Advisory services offered through CL Wealth Management LLC-- SEC registered. Retirement Planning Strategies is not controlled by or a subsidiary of Cabot Lodge Securities LLC or CL Wealth Management LLC
issue INSIDE THIS Our Annual Cookie Exchange PAGE 1 An Elevated Take on Retirement PAGE 2
Spilling the Tea on Tea PAGE 3
Adventure Like a Scandinavian PAGE 4
THERE’S ‘SNOW’ PLACE LIKE SCANDINAVIA Embrace Winter Like a Pro
snowshoeing, to name a few. If your knees can’t take downhill skiing or snowboarding anymore, give Nordic skiing a try. It’s less stressful on your body but still a challenging, fun way to enjoy a beautiful day outside. DRESS FOR WARMTH There’s no such thing as bad weather, only poor gear. The Fins embrace this mentality wholeheartedly by trekking in subzero temperatures. The key is proper layering. Start with warm base layers that retain heat while allowing air to circulate. Skintight spandex isn’t very effective, so try thermal underwear or wool instead. On top of your base layer, add fleece and then down. If you’ll be somewhere with a lot of moisture, make sure your down is synthetic and waterproof. Your extremities get cold the quickest, so keep them warm with a buff, cozy gloves, hats, and wool socks layered as needed. ONE WORD: SAUNA Just because it’s cold out doesn’t mean you need to be, too. A day on the slopes would not be complete without a sauna. In Finland, Sweden, and other Nordic countries, taking a sauna is considered a daily ritual for its purported health-boosting and mood-boosting benefits. Age and Ageing health journal has found evidence linking sauna use to a lowered risk for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Scandinavian countries like Sweden and Denmark have long topped lists of the world’s happiest people. This may seem strange considering these countries can spend half the year in darkness; dusk sets in around 2 p.m. for some Nordic cities in the wintertime. The Scandinavians’ positive outlook on winter likely contributes to their happy demeanors year-round. Instead of looking at the winter months as something to endure, these folks embrace the season and find ways to enjoy it. Here are a couple ways to emulate their attitude. TRY NORDIC SKIING If you’re a seasonal runner but it’s too cold to enjoy your go- to activity this winter, it’s time to diversify. Skiing isn’t the only wintertime option, either. There’s ice skating, ice climbing, and
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