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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