My Favorites

I am pleased to share my new page featuring my favorite things. My Favorites is updated ongoing, depending on what I’m reading, watching or experiencing near or far that strikes my fancy. It may be a new product, new book, fun article or helpful resource, or maybe even an inspirational quote that I think post 50 women will find of interest. 

 

AARP Launches Fit & Fun Health Challenge and Sweepstakes (June 2018)
The AARP Fit & Fun Health Challenge, with AARP Wellness Ambassador Denise Austin and her daughter, fitness trainer and health coach, Katie Austin, was created to motivate people 50 and older to adopt healthy habits that will help them to live well – with their loved ones and friends. The challenge encourages participants to find a walking buddy and walk 30 minutes a day. Participants can also join the Fit & Fun online community, which provides healthy lifestyle tips, fun daily fitness hacks, and content from walkers across the country.

AARP Fit and Fun Health Challenge; AARP Wellness Ambassador Denise Austin

AARP Wellness Ambassador Denise Austin, right, and daughter Katie, a fitness instructor, are leading the AARP Fit and Fun Health Challenge.

AARP members and anyone 21 or older is invited to join the challenge. The Fit & Fun Health Challenge and Sweepstakes runs through June 30. Participants can enter anytime for a chance to win the grand prize – an all-inclusive spa vacation for two. Visit aarp.org/challenge to sign–up and visit the Fit & Fun Health Challenge site daily to complete activities and log their daily walks. Every day, participants can earn entries for a chance to win.

A Very Special Cruise On The Danube (June 2018)
If you read my blog, you know I’m a fan of Viking cruises. They just announced a new river cruisetour itinerary that will allow guests to experience The Passion Play in Oberammergau, which is performed only every 10 years. Traveling between Munich and Budapest from May through October 2020, the Oberammergau, The Passion Play itinerary will focus on the 42nd installment of The Oberammergau Passion Play and will allow guests to explore destinations in Germany, Austria and Hungary.

On the 10-day journey, guests will experience a performance of The Passion Play, a depiction of the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ performed by local citizens of Oberammergau once every decade since 1634. Sailing on Viking’s 190-guest Viking Longships, guests will be able to immerse themselves in the rich culture during each port of call along the Danube River.

Viking River Cruises;Oberammergau, The Passion Play

Viking is introducing a special cruise on the Danube.

 

Tips From Retirement Experts (June 2018)
Who knew I am considered a retirement expert? It’s nice when people like to quote me. If you would like to read my recommendations for retirement and all the other experts, you can check out the recent roundup, “Turning 60? Use These Tips From Retirement Experts,” featured on The Association for Long Term Care Planning’s website.

 

A Way To Savor The Memories (May 2018)
Most of us pass our memories down to children and grandchildren through photos and word of mouth, but the real stories may eventually get lost – and along with them, family histories. Writing these stories down may seem daunting at first, but through digital tools, the process can be made simpler, and the final writing collection can be better organized and clearer to its future audience. Beth Carvin, after finding inspiration in stories of her great grandfather’s bar in Boston, founded a new online journaling site (also printable) called Jambios.

Jambios

Jambios is a digital way to save memories.

 

Best Summer Vacations in the USA (April 2018)
U.S. News & World Report released its new rankings of the Best Summer Vacations in the USA. The rankings highlight 20 destinations around the country that are ideal for a seasonal getaway. Boston takes the #1 spot on the list. One of my favorite cities, Portland, OR, came in at #5.

Travelers considering international destinations can consult the Best Summer Vacations rankings. I’m excited that the #1 destination is Paris, as I’m headed there this summer! and the  #2 spot is Florence, one of my other favorite cities in Italy.

Portland, OR

Portland, OR ranked #5 in the “U.S. News & World Report” Best Summer Vacations.

 

TripAdvisor Reveals Top Destinations Around The World (March 2018)
Did you know TripAdvisor®, the travel planning and booking site, just announced the winners of its Travelers’ Choice® awards for Destinations, recognizing travelers’ favorite places around the world? This year, Paris is the global winner and New York City ranks number one in the U.S. for the eighth consecutive year. Bonjour Paris, I’ll be visiting with my BFF L this summer! Read about all the winners and places you’ll want to travel to in 2018. 

TripAdvisor

(PRNewsfoto/TripAdvisor)

 

More About Meaning and Happiness in Old Age (March 2018)
I like to read Jane Brody’s Well column each Tuesday in the Science section of The New York Times. I especially enjoyed last week’s article on “Finding Meaning and Happiness in Old Age,” where she writes about two new books on aging, The End of Old Age by Dr. Marc E. Agronin and Happiness Is A Choice You Make by John Leland (who I’ve quoted before). These are two good books for retirement presents!

Jane Brody; aging

 

Stylish Underwear For Bladder Leakage (March 2018)
This is a topic I normally don’t want to write about, however I learned this week that 1 in 3 women suffer from bladder leaks. Plus, after having bladder cancer, I’m all for supporting women’s bladder health! Thankfully I don’t have this issue, but if I did I’d consider ICON, an underwear brand for women of all ages. Launched in 2015, this stylish, pee-proof underwear can hold up to 8 tsp. and includes built-in anti-odor and antimicrobial layers. The brand is also committed to helping sisters around the world, through a partnership with the Fistula Foundation, every pair of ICON sold helps fund life-changing surgeries for women in developing countries. Learn more at iconundies.com.

pee-proof underwear; bladder leakage

You would never know that stylish ICON underwear is pee-proof.

 

 

Mantras To Calm The Mind and Elevate The Spirit (March 2018)
Being a yogi, I sometimes use mantras to quiet my mind. Mantras are words and phrases you recite and repeat silently when meditating. If you want to try mantra meditation, I recommend a new book called My Pocket Mantras – Powerful Words to Connect, Comfort, and Protect by Tanaaz Chubb. Tanaaz also wrote the book The Power of Positive Energy that I reviewed last year.

My Pocket Mantra; Tanaaz Chubb; meditation; mantras; mantra meditation

A new book for mantra meditation.

Tanaaz says: “Words are powerful and have the ability to shape our thoughts, change our perception, connect with others, and provide comfort in our daily lives.” Her new pocket-sized book provides more than 140 mantras designed to help you shift your mindset in a positive way, including mantras for self-love, healing, success, releasing stress and anxiety, and more.

Here’s one of Tanaaz’s  stress-relief mantras:

“I GIVE MYSELF PERMISSION TO LET GO OF WHAT NO LONGER SERVES ME.”

Tanaaz says to: “Recite this mantra five times either out loud or quietly to yourself. For added benefits you can  also write down a list of things that you need to release from your life.”


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