Entries by Jennifer Beisser

LIVING ON THE WEST SIDE OF MANHATTAN

Most likely, within a couple of blocks of your apartment, you can go outside just as the streetlights begin to turn on, stand on a corner and look to the west, the nearer the river, the more sky. There, unless a densely cloudy evening, watch the sky transform into a rainbow of colors. It may […]

THE BEST DRINK OF ALL!

According to the National Council on Aging, hydration is important, especially as we get older…to improve brain performance, affecting memory, mood, concentration, reaction time, and even in combating feelings of anxiety. Research has shown that just as dehydration affects the ability to think clearly, it can also make it difficult to remember things. The medical […]

CAN A “SMARTPHONE” SAVE THE DAY?

I-phones, Androids and other phones with internet access are often called “smart phones”. At a recent session with Charla Sarabia, the Injury Prevention and Community Outreach Coordinator at Mount Sinai Morningside, we learned just how smart they can be. Did you know that you can set your phone up so that, in an emergency, any […]

BEATING INSOMNIA

Numerous respected health journalists write about the causes and possible cures for insomnia. These can be relatively simple if caused by some of the issues listed on p.2. But,sleeplessness can also be a sign that we are anxious about something, that we feel apprehensive or unease, typically about an imminent event. Once we experience this […]

THINKING ABOUT TREES During April, National Earth Month

Trees are sometimes called the lungs of the earth since, through their leaves, they trap and filter contaminants in the air. As we know, they also absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen through photosynthesis; and, a good canopy of tree leaves can protect living creatures from heat, but also non-living things: Cities develop “heat islands” […]

THE LOW DOWN ON SLEEP POSITIONS

SLEEP POSITIONS, According to Johns Hopkins Medicine at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Consider the following as you switch off the light:  Back and neck pain: When it comes to alleviating pain, sleeping on your back is a mixed bag. For people with neck pain, sleeping face up can sometimes make the pain worse. But many […]

WALKING ALONE

With warmer days upon us, I am enjoying more outdoor walks. While I know that some people enjoy walking alone, I know that others can feel lonely stepping out by themselves without a specific errand or destination in mind. If that sounds familiar, here are some ideas to tap into the joys of walking. 1. […]

Don’t Forget to Change Your Clocks!

At 2AM on Sunday, March 12th, Daylight Saving Time will begin–so make sure to move your clocks forward one hour! While we will all lose an hour of sleep, we can also look forward to longer days filled with warm spring light. Though many credit Benjamin Franklin with the creation of Daylight Saving Time, it […]

WOMEN’s History Month

March is nationally recognized as Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate the achievements of women all over the world. You might be interested in looking at an on-line exhibit published by the National Women’s History Museum on women who made ground-breaking advancements, like running for U.S. President. A LiLY volunteer/neighbor might like viewing it […]

WALKING TOGETHER

In winter, the tendency is to stay indoors. But, if you have been reading this newsletter, you likely already know that walking outdoors can be a boon to your health. Walkers, canes, and walking sticks are all ways to assist in the effort. There are even benefits for those who must use a wheelchair for […]

Martin Luther King Jr. Day – January 16th

Stevie Wonder, along with Harry Belafonte, Aretha Franklin, Eartha Kitt, Diana Ross, Sidney Poitier, Marlon Brando and many other influential people attended King’s funeral in 1968 as well as Bob Marley, who was one of the drivers of the idea of a national holiday honoring King. There was the birth of the idea of a […]

HARD TO SCRUB THESE DAYS?

Did you know there are cordless, battery powered scrubbers? To the left, see Rubbermaid’s 18-piece bathroom/kitchen scrub brush set. It costs $29.99 on Amazon and $21.99 at Target. Something to request for your next birthday?

SO, FOR SOME OF US, ICE SKATING IS OUT OF THE QUESTION

Above, see how a local young woman took advantage of a frozen puddle the size of a pond in Riverside Park on an 11 degree (farenheit) morning in December,2022. Last month’s weather makes January, so far, seem as if spring is around the corner. But, there are many forecasted days this month for invigorating winter […]

YOUR CALL

Aging often includes the loss of connections with relatives and old friends. It’s harder in these days of COVID, or with physical limitations to meet new folks. Others simply faded away. And there are sometimes those that were lost due to a disagreement. But if, living alone, you feel the need for closer family ties […]

FILM RECOMMENDATION BY NEIGHBOR

Here is the link to the “Youtube.com” free film: But, you can also find it on the internet by visiting “Youtube.com” and then searching for “Alive and Kicking,” a 1950s film that may inspire us all to live to the hilt in the present tense, according to our neighbor

BOOK RECOMMENDATION BY A NEIGHBOR…

I Guess I Haven’t Learned That Yet: Discovering New Ways of Living when the Old Ways Stop Working by Shauna Niequis When everything we’ve been clinging to falls apart, how do we know what to keep and what to let go of? I Guess I Haven’t Learned That Yet, a New York Times bestseller, “is […]

Living Alone—You Bet!

At the post office, I bumped into A. S., an acquaintance in her Mid-seventies whom I hadn’t seen in almost a year. In talking, she told me that her husband had passed away several months earlier. I began to express my condolences…but she stopped me in mid-sentence and exclaimed, “I should have divorced him forty […]

YOU DON’T HAVE TO EAT ALL PLANT BASED MEALS…BUT THERE ARE MANY GREAT RECIPES ON THE INTERNET THAT CAN NOURISH!

Health conscious, I am always on the lookout for good recipes that nourish. Well-planned plant-based diets follow healthy eating guidelines, and contain all the nutrients that our bodies need. The American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recognizes that they are suitable for every age and stage of life. Some research has linked plant-based diets with […]

THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART

This time of year the museum’s holiday displays attract many, and maybe that includes you. But other exhibits are also fascinating, like the one that shows us the original colors of Greek artifacts, like that of the lamp-size sphinx above. Although the sphinx’s appearance is a hazy gray color, scientists were able to reconstruct her […]

KEEP WALKING IF YOU CAN

All the experts tell us that there are endless benefits to walking–from reducing blood pressure to strengthening our immune systems, muscles, and bones…including elevating our mood. If your doctor gives you the okay, why not start a daily walking program with a ten- minute walk, and see how you feel. The pace doesn’t have to […]

WHY OWN A DOG?

-Walk outside often. -Find companionship.-Enjoy social encounters. -Know when someone is at your door. -Gain daily structure. If you are thinking about adopting a dog, seniors are advised to look for a senior dog. And, if you need help with walking her or him, a LiLY volunteer can likely assist.

Brussels Sprouts with Honey & Miso Recipe

Ingredients -2 tbsp of extra-virgin olive oil -2 tbsp of honey -1 tbsp of red miso paste -1 tsp of kosher salt -1 pound of sprouts, cleaned & halved lengthwise -1 lime halved -1/4 cup chopped roasted almonds Instructions -Heat oven to 450 degrees. -In large bowl whisk together olive oil, honey, miso and salt […]

TAKING FLIGHT – INSIDE OF A PLANE?

Are there family members you wish you could visit, or places you want to see that you thought were beyond reach? The facts are that in this day and age there are accommodations for most seniors to travel by air. Age is not as important as mental and physical health. People in their 80’s and […]