Chefs and doctors in New Orleans are collaborating on a study of how certain foods can be used to prevent and manage diseases. The Golding Center For Culinary Medicine at Tulane University has the nation's first teaching kitchen where students, doctors and chefs can learn about the role foods can play in our health by integrating nutrition with biochemistry. It helps that the Director Dr. Harlan, is both a trained chef and physician who owned several restaurants before Med. school. Dr. Harlan believes in the benefits of medication and good diet on their own merits, but believes in the synergistic power of combing both. The Golding Center bases it's program on the principles of the Mediterranean diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, olive oil and fish with limited meat and dairy. Several studies by the Journal of the American College of Cardiology,the Harvard School of Public Health and the Cambridge Health Alliance link the Mediterranean diet to lower risk of obesity,diabetes,certain types of cancer and heart disease. Other chefs around the country have personally seen the effects of what a diet can do to reverse health issues. New York chef Seamus Mullen is the author of "Hero Food" a cookbook he authored that has reversed his rheumatoid arthritis which often debilitated him, resulting in numerous hospitalizations.
 He believes the elimination of gluten and eating a diet of grass fed meats, eggs and leafy greens was the major factor in curing his arthritis. He was convinced in the direct correlation between food and the body's ability to deal with inflammation.  Another Doctor, Chef collaboration between Dr. Mark Hyman, the author of  "The Blood Sugar Solution", and Chef David Bouley teamed up at the 2013 New York City Wine and Food Solution to cook a healthy meal. They believe in the healing powers of foods such as mushrooms to battle tumors and sardines to protect against strokes. These chefs and physicians have complied a list of power foods and their healing properties that include;
anchovies-help reduce inflammation, avocados for lowering breast and colon cancer, berries for cardiovascular health, carrots to boost the immune system, coconut for antimicrobial properties, dark, leafy greens that are rich in minerals and vitamins important for a healthy immune system, dried beans and legumes for sources of protein, fiber and minerals, organic eggs a good source of iron, garlic to help reduce the risk of breast and colon cancer, grass fed beef that has more vitamin B that corn fed beef, organic chicken and wild salmon that have higher amounts of omega 3s, nuts such as almonds, walnuts and cashews to help reduce cholesterol, seeds that include pumpkin,chia and sunflowers to boost the immune system,  olive oil to help lower cardiovascular disease, vegetables that include squash, green beans to lower blood sugar, broccoli, boy choy,brussel sprouts,carrots,onions which all help reduce certain types of cancer and stone fruits such as peaches,plums,nectarines, cherries, apricots that have vitamin C and K, potassium and beta carotene.
Join the "Farm before Pharm" way of life for a delicious prescription to better health and take control of your health!

Check out retirementjobs.com if you are looking for a job that helps people 50 and over find work with companies that value experience from mature workers. I'm sure many of us have heard stories or experienced ageism first hand in the work world. One such example always comes to mind when a friend  who was having the hardest time finding work, despite an impressive resume, finally landed a job after he dyed his white hair brown.   When you get to a certain age you start to feel invisible especially in a society that over values youth and looks. So it is refreshing to find a business that is focused on matching the skills of older workers with companies that welcome their abilities, white hair, wrinkles and all.
Many of the jobs are part time positions for those who are interested in picking up some extra income. With boomers working longer, they are an important work force that offer much experience and a good work ethic, recognized by the certified age friendly employers.
This site also has a section that lists jobs with nonprofits for those who want a second career with a focus on making a social impact. You can access weekly webinars and useful topics for a small monthly fee.
Since 2005  one million members have taken advantage of the free job search,  career test and useful information geared to helping older workers remain in the work force.

My daughter's recent graduation from Ithaca College brought back distant memories of my own 35 years ago, causing me to reflect on both the similarities and differences in our experiences. Our paths were similar in that both of us transferred to private colleges after attending SUNY institutions for a year, where we found the experience to be less to our satisfaction, craving a more stimulating and challenging learning environment. After High School I went off with a group friends to a Community College near Albany and ended up the only one out of the 4 to go on to get a degree. The rest headed back to our home town after only a year, lonesome for their boy friends. It turned out to be a pivotal moment for me as I realized I needed to surround  myself with like minded people who shared the same goals and dreams.  I serendipitously found this and much more at my Alma matter 13 hours away from home. My daughter also headed to school several hours from Albany and although she enjoyed the proximity to NYC, she got tired of the laid back attitude she felt many took regarding their educational experience.
 We both formed close friendships and thrived in the small classes with personal attention from professors in our respective majors. We worked on campus and joined various clubs making the most of our college experience and discovering much about ourselves in the process. But that's where the similarities end and the differences begin. My career choices in 1974 were limited to that of teacher, secretary and social worker, according to the Guidance Counselor and my parents. Fortunately, in 2014 our daughter's choices for career opportunities are unlimited, thanks in part to the women from the Baby Boomer generation who went before them and helped break through the glass ceiling we were confined to. Today's college graduates are sadly leaving with record debt on an average of  $33,000, nearly tripling the amount grads paid back over 30 years ago when I graduated. The younger people of this generation will have to be more creative about making a living, with corporate shrinkage and fewer jobs. I believe they will be able to accomplish with the Internet and all the many facets of communication at their disposal, which they are so adept at utilizing to accomplish their means. My daughter told me about a case in point where a graduate from IC is a Youtube sensation with over a million hits of her unique comedy routine.
 Despite the dismal facts, I'm still convinced that the path my daughter took has made her a more confident, prepared person that will lead her to a fulfilling career and that she is living in a time of unsurpassed opportunity.

Now that the long winter is finally behind us we can turn our energy toward spring and planting. My husband is indisputably the master gardener in the family with his wild flower gardens carefully planted to attract birds and butterflies. But I love my pots of fragrant herbs that are easy to grow and care for with so many uses from cooking to medicinal. This time of year many of the local garden centers offer free seminars with tips on how to grow herbs and their purposes. Some good web sites to reference are www.guidetoherb.com and www.the-herb-guide.com. Here you will find recipes for every dish imaginable from sauces to herb butters. Drinks can also be enhanced with herbs for both flavor and color. Medicinal uses are an important aspect of many herbs that have been known for many centuries.
Ten cooking herbs that grow well in the Northeast are basil, chives coriander, dill, rosemary, mint, parsley, sage, tarragon and thyme. You can mix many together in a large container, except mint which will take over and needs to be grown separately.  Raised beds are an attractive and functional way to manage your herb garden. If space is an issue your herbs can grow in just about anything from mason jars to baskets on your patio or deck. Most are easier to grow than houseplants and just require a sunny, warm place. When the season ends, you can preserve your herbs by drying them in bunches, or freezing chopped herbs in an ice cube tray filling the well 2/3rds full with your favorite herb and a shot of olive oil. It's a rewarding and economical way to cook healthy and have fun experimenting. Happy planting!

"The Task" is an eight part series in the New York Times written by Olivia Stone about the emotional and overwhelming task of going through her parent's home of 30 years after her father's death. She poignantly captures the emotions she experiences during the monumental task it takes to sort through a houseful of belongings and memories.  She wrestles with how to decide what to throw away and what to keep, and the fear of throwing away the wrong things that could erase a loved one in the process. Despite the angst it created she comes to understand her parents through the experience and the glimpses that emerge hold surprises and personal revelations. Reading her mother's diaries and letters felt intrusive at first but she discovers her mother was more like her than she realized. How much they both loved traveling and the sense of freedom it gave them. A minimalist at heart she came to understand the significance of all their personal belongings that provoked long forgotten memories, the worn couch where one of her friends slept during a blizzard, her dad snoozing on it after cooking Christmas dinner all day. Her mother who died when she was in her 20s came alive to her when she came upon  one of her scarfs that still held the scent of her favorite perfume after all those years. Her father's fascinating work as a journalist traveling the world in search of stories was all there in carefully organized cabinets.   
At some point we will all face "the task" that comes after loved one's die and leave behind their possessions to disperse, but Olivia Stone helps us to see that despite the grief and pain it causes, it can be a life altering journey to be embraced where the memories of our past and long gone loved ones come alive and comfort us.

 You can take an existing craft , make it more appealing  and end up very successful like baby boomer Jenny Doan, the owner of Star Quilt Co. She perfected a method to teach quilters how to create one in as little as one day by using pre-cut fabric patches she includes in her kits. Her key to this success were her online tutorials that appealed to wannabe quilters who liked her simpler approach that yielded quick results. It also helped that her kids were tech savvy and helped her make tutorials on YouTube that have drawn as many as a million viewers from all over the world.
So who knows maybe you have a talent or skill that can be made appealing and profitable to the world like Jenny!

Story Corps has been collecting over 50,000 life stories from Americans since 2003 who come from all walks of life. In addition to their main recording sites in Atlanta, Chicago and San Francisco, there are mobile recording units that travel to various cities where you can sign up to record your unique story from a family member, mentor or friend. The project provides people from all backgrounds the opportunity to preserve their stories which are then archived in the Library of Congress for anyone to access. You can listen to these inspiring stories at www.storycorps.netwww.storycorps.net.
 For those of us who are interested in recording our own stories go under the heading Go To Record Your Story, where you'll find great sample questions under various subjects to chose from to get you started. They offer useful instructions for equipment to use and suggestions for creating a conducive setting for the best possible interview. You don't have to spend a lot of money on equipment either and can use what ever technology is available, even your cell phone can be used to record if that's all you have or pen and paper.
Remember that everyone in our lives has an interesting story that needs telling. Recording them ensures they are passed along for future generations and not lost. Now is the time to capture these unique stories that are all around us and do them justice.

Between the Chicks is a line of clothing for women designed by 2 ex models who are now in their 50's.  The patterns are colorful and the designs are simple with coverage in all the right places for middle age figures. The polyester blend material is not clingy which is especially important for less than perfect figures. Best of all there are no hooks or zippers to bother with and the fabric is wrinkle free. I liked that the price was all inclusive and included the tax and shipping. The tops and dresses would especially make great traveling items with no ironing needed.  In my never ending quest for flattering yet stylish clothes that are age appropriate, these fit the bill!

Take charge of your health in the new year by seeking out a Certified Nutritionist or Registered Dietitian. They understand the important role of  nutrients in foods and vitamins and how they interact to affect diseases and conditions, both positively and negatively. High amounts of calcium supplements for example can lead to prostate cancer or that diverticulitis can be controlled by a diet high in fiber. They will devise a personalized health and diet plan based on your unique health needs.
In addition check out www.paulaowens.com Paula Owens, M.S. on the web. She is one of the nation's leading experts on nutrition, holistic health, fitness and fat loss. She consults with clients locally in her Phoenix office and throughout the world by phone or Skype. Check out the informative article in her blog archives on how to naturally lower blood pressure and cholesterol, something many of us struggle with, in addition to other useful topics.
Boomers take control the natural way by eating the right foods, taking the right supplements and exercising however,wherever you can.