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NOVEMBER 2022
HEALTHY, WEALTHY,
& Wise
1 Denver Federal Center Building 45, Entrance E-9, Room 1050 Lakewood, CO 80225
HOW TO MAKE YOUR RETIREMENT LAST LONGER MY RESEARCH INTO LIVING A HAPPIER, HEALTHIER LIFE
I have a secret: I’m starting to think about my transition into retirement. I’m not headed out tomorrow by any means, but I’ve begun to do a little research into how to live a longer, healthier, happier life once I leave the workforce. Digging into this is incredibly important because the longer I live, the longer I’ll be able to enjoy my retirement. I’ve often heard people complain that they work for 30 years only to retire for 20, but it doesn’t have to be that way! With the right strategies, I can expand my lifespan and achieve more years of good health to follow my passions — and so can you. In my research, I’ve come across a couple of fascinating resources. One of my favorites is a talk by author and endurance cyclist Dan Buettner. He wrote a famous book called “The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who’ve Lived the Longest.” His research found that only 10% of our longevity is genetic . Things like our experiences, how we move, and what we eat are more important than our genes. Dan and his team discovered this by examining the lives of people living in the four longest-lived places on Earth: Loma Linda, California; the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica; the highlands of Sardinia, Italy; and Okinawa, Japan. People who live in those “Blue Zones” have a few specific things in common: 1. They move naturally. Instead of going to the gym, people living in Blue Zones stay physically active throughout the day by taking the stairs, doing household chores, going on nature walks, etc. 2. They have the “right” outlook. They purposefully set aside time to relax and recharge, and they have a sense of purpose that motivates them to get out of bed in the morning. It could be their family, a hobby they love, or even a passion for their community. 3. They eat wisely. People living in Blue Zones drink alcohol in moderation, eat a primarily plant-based diet, and stop eating before they’re full. 4. They take time to connect. To live to a ripe old age, people in the Blue Zones spend time with their loved ones, have a sense of belonging, and are part of a “tribe” within their community.
It’s easy to let these four things slip by us when we’re speeding through life and focused on our careers. But the older we get, the more critical they become. Right now, I’m working on the fourth point because in a different source, I
read that “loneliness [is] equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.” How crazy is that?
According to Buettner, in 2013, the average American had just 1.5 close
friends. After the pandemic, we’re probably lucky to have one friend each! So, the million-dollar question is, “How do you make friends as an adult when bonding at work isn’t an option?” Here are four steps I’m using: 1. Get to know yourself. Find your motivation, what gives you confidence and self-esteem. 2. Develop physical and emotional resources. It’s harder to make friends when you’re tired, out of shape, and sad than when you’re energized, fit, and happy. 3. Chase your passions. Find activities, hobbies, and skills that fascinate you, and go after them! Sign up for that book club, take up pickleball, or learn to play golf. You’ll meet people along the way. 4. Be proactive. Don’t be afraid to invite people into your life! Hundreds of factors contribute to a long, healthy life. One source I found concluded that the “ultimate recipe” for longevity is being a “married, happy-go-lucky, outdoors-loving, sex-mad, hippy party girl in senior management with a cat”! Hopefully, if we master the basics from the Blue Zones, we can enjoy decades of happiness in the next stage of our life.
Happy holidays, and good luck!
–Ann Vanderslice
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GUARD CAT MODE ACTIVATED
We’ve all heard of guard dogs, but ever hear of a guard cat? Well, Bandit the calico cat somehow knew exactly what to do when she spied intruders at her owner’s back door! Some may call it instinct, some may call it luck, but to Fred Everitt, she’s a hero. Everitt, a 68-year-old retired oral surgeon, was sound asleep in his Mississippi home on Sunday, July 24, when Bandit started letting out deep meows sometime between 2:30 and 3:00 a.m. Everitt assumed Bandit had seen another cat or other animal outside and dismissed the ruckus. Cats tend to be active at night, and Bandit has been known to roam the living room and explore the kitchen cabinets while Everitt sleeps soundly. He quickly realized it was something else when she came into his room and tried to pull his comforters off and clawed at his arms. Bandit’s behavior was so unusual, Everitt knew something was wrong. “She had never done that before,” he said. “I went, ‘What in the world is wrong with you?’” Bandit’s persistence eventually pulled him from bed, and after throwing his robe on, he went to investigate. When he finally got into the kitchen, he noticed two figures — one with a crowbar and one with what looked like a handgun — trying to break into his back door. Feline Defender Prevents Robbery
By the time Everitt returned from retrieving his own handgun, the intruders were gone. Thankfully, it didn’t turn into a confrontational situation, and Everitt gave credit to the 20-pound cat that he adopted from a humane society. If it hadn’t been for Bandit’s alertness, it could’ve been a completely different story. “I want to let people know that you save a life when you adopt from a pet shelter or rescue one,” Everitt said, “but the tides could be turned some day. You never know when you save an animal if they’re going to save you.”
WINTER IS COMING Depending on where you live, you may already be experiencing freezing temperatures that signal the impending approach of winter. But while you can bundle up and protect yourself from the cold, your home can’t, so you need to find ways to protect it from winter damage. One area that’s often overlooked is the plumbing system. Don’t Let Those Pipes Freeze!
keep the house warm. Block any gaps in your doors or windows with caulking and weather stripping to keep the cold air out. Good insulation also helps lower your heating costs.
Consistent Heating and Running Water When you leave your home, you need to ensure that the
When water freezes, its volume expands. When this happens inside of a pipe, it’s at risk of bursting. Water from a busted pipe will begin to pour into your home until the water is shut off somewhere upstream. You’ll have to call a plumber to repair the broken pipes and may even need to replace flooring and/or furniture if they suffered from too much water damage. Thankfully, you can take some preventive measures to avoid the risk of freezing pipes. Proper Insulation Insulation should be installed around the pipes throughout your home. You can use special insulating tape or tube-shaped foam sleeves to protect your pipes in areas vulnerable to the cold. You should also check your attic insulation to ensure that it’s helping
temperature inside does not drop too much. Keep your thermostat at a minimum of 55 degrees F. Keep one of your faucets open with a slow steady drip, but be sure to choose a tap that’s far from your main water shut-off valve to help relieve the pressure that an ice blockage could cause. Any cabinets that have plumbing within them (like under your sinks) should be kept open. Warmer house air will help prevent the pipes from freezing . When a pipe bursts, you could be looking at expensive fees to get it repaired, so it’s much better to be proactive and prepare than reactive. Follow these tips and you shouldn’t need to worry about your pipes freezing this winter!
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IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO GROW A GREEN THUMB!
4 Benefits of Gardening for Seniors
Staying mentally and physically healthy doesn’t mean you have to join a fancy gym or hire a lifestyle coach. You can enhance your overall health right in your backyard by starting a garden. Here are just some of the health benefits: Gardening reduces stress and increases relaxation. Life can sometimes feel overwhelming. Many family, financial, or medical issues arise with age, and falling into a downward spiral is easy. Your first line of defense against stress could be your garden! Spending time outdoors has been proven to help older adults feel less stressed by promoting relaxation and lowering elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Gardens offer a place of quiet reprieve to reflect on the past and plan for the future. Exercising never felt so green. Finding ways to stay active can be difficult, especially if mobility is an issue. Gardening can be a great way to keep active without the complications of rigorous activity. Simply moving plants around, creating holes for seeds, cultivating soil, or watering the garden are all great ways to maintain or improve strength. Eating healthy food contributes to a healthy lifestyle. By devoting time to gardening, you can reap the health benefits of the delicious fruit and vegetables you grow. Winter is quickly
approaching, so consider which crops to plant this time of year. Root vegetables like carrots, onions, garlic, and turnips are great options to start growing during November. These hearty vegetables are also excellent sources of fiber and essential nutrients. If you’re unsure where to start, you can refer to the 2022 Planting Guide at Almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar. All it takes to start a garden is a seed, so plant a new, healthy lifestyle and watch it grow!
Train Your
BRAIN!
Roasted Pork Loin With Apples
Inspired by MomFoodie.com
INGREDIENTS
• 4 lbs pork loin • 2 tsp garlic powder • 2 tsp salt, divided • 1 tsp black pepper • 8 apples
• 2 red onions • 3 garlic cloves • 1 tbsp brown sugar • 2 tbsp olive oil • 2 tsp cinnamon • 3 tbsp butter, softened
DIRECTIONS
1. In a large bowl, season pork loin with garlic powder, 1 ½ tsp salt, and pepper, then cover and place in refrigerator for 30 minutes. 2. Preheat oven to 425 F. 3. Slice apples and onions, then chop garlic cloves. Season with brown sugar, olive oil, remaining salt, and cinnamon. 4. In a 9x13-inch baking dish, place a layer of apples and onions in the pan, put pork loin on top, then place remaining apples and onions around it. 5. Break butter into small pieces and place them on the pork loin and apples. Place dish in oven and let it bake for 15 minutes. 6. Reduce the heat to 350 F, then continue to bake for 60 minutes. 7. Remove dish and stir apples and onions. 8. Increase heat to 450 F, put dish in oven, and roast for an additional 8–10 minutes.
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PO Box 260787 Lakewood, CO 80226-0787 issue INSIDE THIS The Truth About Genetics and Your Life Span PAGE 1 Calico Cat Saves Owner From Would-Be Burglars Tips to Prevent Your Home’s Pipes From Freezing PAGE 2
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 1537878- 11/22.
4 Reasons Seniors Should Have a Garden
Roasted Pork Loin With Apples PAGE 3 America’s 5 Best Ski Resorts PAGE 4
EXPERIENCE FRESH POWDER AND GREAT VIEWS Top 5 Ski Resorts to Cross Off Your Bucket List
Mad River Glen, Vermont For an authentic, deep-mountain experience, Mad River Glen is considered the best skiing mountain in the East. One of the best features of the resort is that it has single-chair chairlifts — and no snowboarders! The runs are long and the sights are gorgeous while providing an amazing ski run, throwback style! Aspen, Colorado Aspen just had to make this list! This incredibly popular ski resort has four different mountains, providing a wide range of terrains for all different skill levels. The ski resort town is fun, developed, and exciting as well. Deer Valley Resort, Utah A ski-only resort, Deer Valley is a quaint ski town with legendary customer service and unbelievable Utah powder. It should be noted that the chairlifts are speedy and efficient, and the trails are well- groomed. Lift lines are nonexistent, making for an exclusive and remote experience!
Temperatures are dropping and snow is falling in some parts of the country, so it’s time for some winter fun! Whether you ski, snowboard, or just enjoy the snow, here are some of the best ski resorts to check out this ski season! Steamboat Springs, Colorado A little less glitzy than some of the other popular ski resorts and towns in Colorado, Steamboat Springs is extremely family-friendly with a Western vibe. Because Steamboat is tucked away in the northwest corner of Colorado, the area catches snow from both Utah and Wyoming, which means you can expect some of the best skiing powder. Whitefish Mountain Resort, Montana While Whitefish Mountain Resort was originally a sleepy, quiet, and remote ski resort, it has gained popularity over the past few years, but it still remains an under-the-radar ski destination with friendly locals and smaller crowds. For beautiful, lush Montana views and no ski lift lines, Whitefish is a must!
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