Pumpkin
Did you know that pumpkin’s orange hue is from carotenoids? Carotenoids are wrinkle-fighting plant pigments that help neutralize free radicals in the skin, keeping them from damaging the cells that fast-forward aging. Pumpkin is filled with vitamins A, C, and E, as well as powerful enzymes that help to cleanse the skin. Pumpkin also has hydrating properties. All this good stuiff is found in the pulp, not the seeds ( I know they are good to eat too).
Pumkin Smoothie Recipe:

Strawberries

I LOVE Strawberries. They are one of my favorite fruits. Did you know that strawberries have more anti-aging vitamin C per serving thanan orange? Research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that people who eat foods rich in C have fewer wrinkles and less age-related dry skin than those who don’t. Vitamin C helps fight free radicals, which damage cells and break down collagen, leading to fine lines.

For smoother, more hydrated skin, apply a natural-berry mask like the one below once or twice a week. Don’t forget to eat vitamin c-rich foods everyday.

Here are some things you can do to make sure you are exercising safely:

1. Start slowly, especially if you haven’t been active for a long time. Little by little build up your activities and how hard you work at them.
2. Don’t hold your breath during strength exercises. That could cause changes in your blood pressure. It may seem strange at first, but you should breathe out as you lift something, and breathe in as you relax.
3. Use safety equipment. For example, wear a helmet for bike riding or the right shoes for walking or jogging.

If you’re looking for something to do try these activities:

Scrapbooking: Gathering your photos is a fun walk down memory lane. It even helps you organize your treasures.

Breakfast, lunch, or dinner club: Gather a group of friends and meet on a regular basis for meals and fun!

Journaling: Try writing your thoughts down in a book . Keep track of important events and things going on in your life. This can be something you pass along to your family.

Chair Exercises: Anytime, Anywhere! You can find chair exercises for seniors online or pick up a book at your local bookstore or even a video.

Elderly women who get five hours of sleep or less per night have increased risks of falls, according to a new study. Sleep medications had little affect on the connection, researchers added. Researchers analyzed sleeping times, efficiency and frequency of falls in nearly 3,000 women 70 or older. The average sleeping time was 6.8 hours per night for each participant.

Women with a sleep efficiency rating of less than 70% were nearly 1.4 times as likely to suffer a fall than women with an efficiency rating above 70%. Additionaly, individuals with two hours or more of wake time after going to sleep were about 1.3 times more likely to fall than those with less time awake.

Eating well is an important part of living a healthy life. Choosing the most nutritious foods is more important than ever when aging due to a decrease in appetites for many.

Here is a list of my picks for Super Foods for Seniors . I will continue to post more Super Foods for Seniors throughout the week.I have decided to start with veggies! Be sure to add plenty of the below veggies into your diet.

Vegetables:

Spinach, collard greens, beet greens, tomatoes, broccoli, spinach, kale, carrots, peppers, pumpkin, winter squash, potato with skin,
and sweet potato.

Walking is a great way for seniors to get in shape. Seniors’ walking programs can help you obtain a stronger body and healthier heart. Seniors of any age can enjoy the benefits of walking. It is also something that can be done as a group or by yourself.

Walking programs for seniors often include slow and fast paced intervals. Arms may be pumped harder for maximum benefits, and knees may be raised for a more efficient workout. Some seniors walk with light hand or wrist weights, or do arm exercises while walking. The kind of seniors’ walking you do will depend on your current physical shape.

Older adults who consume fish regularly are improving their brain health, a new study by Finnish researchers found.Those studied who ate more fish were less likely to show certain brain infarcts-tiny areas of tissue that have died because of an insufficient blood supply-on an MRI scan, according to the study, which followed 3,660 adults age 65 and older. The tissue damage causes no obvious symptoms, but it can raise a person’s longer-term risk of having a stroke or developing dementia.

Feul Your Workout

Good food choices to fuel your workout include high-carbohydrate, low-fat snacks such as:

a whole-wheat bagel with jam ; or
a banana with yogurt; or
a bowl of instant oatmeal with blueberries.

After your workout, it’s essential to refuel your body with a carbohydrate-protein blend, such as:

a small handful of walnuts or almonds; or
a peanut butter sandwich; or
a fruit smoothie with protein powder.

Don’t forget to drink water before, during and after your workout to avoid dehydration.

-Find an exercise partner!  Having a fitness buddy can help keep you going!
-Set an attainable goal for yourself. When you reach that goal make sure to give yourself a reward.
-Listen to music! Your favorite tunes can help keep you upbeat and having fun.
-Make your exercise sessions “appointments”. Write them in your calendar and hold yourself accountable.
-Record each exercise session. Be sure to write down what you did during each session. This can help you monitor your progress.
-Plan your exercise sessions in advance. If you know you will be traveling try and get your exercise sessions in before you leave or work them into your trip!