Aging Gracefully

The Month of September is when we recognize and promote a healthy lifestyle towards aging. This is the perfect time to reflect and learn to adopt some healthier habits. It’s never too late to apply healthier habits to see real results in your overall health and take full control of your health.

We can’t stop the aging process, but we can move into the later parts of our life gracefully. In the modern era all factors of media are filled with ads for the anti-aging industry. They push all sorts of one stop shop curealls like the snake oil salesmen of the past. But the vast majority of the time these pills, clinics, creams do little to actually effect the underlying causes of aging and generally just line the pockets or the already wealthy. To get you started on adopting new healthy habits, here are some ideas. Maybe you will find some that will help you think outside the box.

6 Tips for adopting healthy habits:

1. Hobbies - Hobbies are an important part of keeping the mind alive and elastic. They are rewarding in their own right as you achieve accomplishments and master your craft. These hobbies could also literally be anything in the world that strikes your fancy. From fishing, to crafting, reading or writing. Literally the whole world of possibilities are open to you.
2. Be Social- Humans are social creatures. Without some level of social interaction, even for the most intense introverts, this can lead to mental health degradation over time. If you don’t have a social network now try: joining clubs related to your interests, maybe a religious organization, maybe you could volunteer locally. All these things will help you maintain and build new relationships.
3. Positive Mindset- This sounds vague I know. What we mean is simply try to keep positive. If there’s people in your life bringing you down, cut them out. You are more important than the misery they cause. And remember there’s no shame in not acting your age. Embrace the things that brought you joy in the past, no matter how ‘childish’ they may seem.
4. Exercise- I know, I know. This is one we hammer all the time. But that just because it works! We aren’t saying you should drop everything and go find a cross-fit gym. But rather be mindful. Don’t stay sitting in one spot for longer than one hour without getting up and moving around. Walk the dog, take up gardening, etc. Exercise can be a part of your hobbies. Remember if your sitting your not exercising, but anything other than being stationary is exercise- even if its just to take out the trash.
5. Change Your Diet- Another ol stand by. Here we aren’t talking about adopting some crazy diet that demands you starve yourself or eat only rabbit pellets for three days a week. No just make some conscious choices. Start including vegetables and lean meats into your diet. Become wary of processed foods. You’ll be surprised how much you enjoy fresh produce and meats over its frankenfood cousins. Over time as this habit becomes a bigger part of your lifestyle you’ll see the major benefits like lowering risk of heart disease, diabetes, and dementia.
6. Mindfulness- This has become sort of a catch all these days, but let me explain what we mean by it. Mindfulness for us is a full appreciation of the moment. When entering ‘the flow’ is simple and pleasing. When the future or past worries slip away and you are simply here, now. Meditation is the most popular way people train themselves to be more mindful. But we have found that adopting hobbies that are true to yourself will also let you reach the flow.

Teas and Sprouts that Support Healthy Aging:

• Renovation Tea: Oolong Tea — Instrumental in aiding weight loss and keeping the mind sharp Oolong Tea contains many vital vitamins and minerals such as calcium, manganese, copper, carotene, selenium, potassium, vitamins A, B, C, E and K. in addition to folic acids, niacin amide and many others.
  • Organic Free Trade Ingredients: Oolong Tea

• Renovation Tea: Darjeeling Tea — Darjeeling is known as the champagne of teas: Grown in Darjeeling, India. Darjeeling is high in antioxidants, has been shown to reduce the risks of cancer, aid in gastric distress, and help in bone mineral density.
  • Organic Free Trade Ingredients: Darjeeling Tea

• Renovation Tea: Fenugreek Sprouting Seeds — Fenugreek is a special sprout, also known as methi, is a treasure trove of medicinal properties. It is rich in vitamin C, proteins, fibers, niacin, potassium, iron and alkaloids. It is also rich in a compound called diosgenin which has estrogen-like properties and steroidal saponins.
  • Organic Free Trade Ingredients: Fenugreek Sprouting Seeds

Healthy Eats: Stewed Beef and Potatoes

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 pounds cubed beef
• olive oil
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 large onion, diced
• Renovation Tea: Wild West Spice Blend
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 2 cups beef broth
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 4 potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 3 tablespoons chopped dill
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Season the beef with salt and pepper to taste, Renovation Tea: Wild West Blend.
2. In a large pan over medium to high head add olive oil.
3. Once the oil is hot, add the cubed beef.
4. Add in minced garlic and diced onion; stirring frequently and cook until the onion is tender and translucent then add paprika.
5. Cook for 2-5 mins stirring frequently, then add in the tomato sauce, beef broth and water. Bring to a low simmer, cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until the beef is fork tender. Once beef has reached fork tender remove it into a bowl and cover, saving the juices in the pot for the potatoes.
6. Add the peeled, cubed potatoes. Submerge the potatoes in the broth, beef broth as needed. Cover the pan with a lid and cook on low for 20-30 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork tender.
7. While the potatoes are stewing, prepare the cornstarch. Combine and whisk the cornstarch and heavy cream until smooth.
8. Once the potatoes are cooked, add the slurry into the sauce and return the beef to the pot. Stir and cook for a few more minutes until the sauce thickens considerably.
9. Season with fresh dill when ready to serve.
10. Enjoy!

**Results may vary. Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. Renovation Tea does not dispense medical advice, prescribe, or diagnose illness. The views and nutritional advice expressed by Renovation Tea are not intended to be a substitute for conventional medical service. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician.