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Welcome to all our new subscribers, and I extend my appreciation to everyone who forwards this newsletter to friends. One friend telling another is how we grow, and I deeply appreciate your support. If you know anyone who might enjoy reading this newletter, please forward it to them.

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What a beautiful day we had here in Denver yesterday. I was surprised to see that it was 60 degrees early in the morning and well into the high 70s in the afternoon. I enjoyed doing a little work in my garden and look forward to see how it fares over the winter. I won't think about its resurgence in the spring yet, but feel secure that after the winter we will have another amazing spring and my flowers will bloom.

I recently bought an iPod and have discovered numerous podcasts that are right up my alley of continuous learning and enlightenment. I have enjoyed listening to so many wonderful interviews with musicians and artists on Jazz Inspired with Judy Carmichael. In fact I got so inspired listening to the pianists talk about their music and lives; and hear them play that I sat down at my piano and started playing again after a three year hiatus. It has been so rewarding and such fun that I decided to begin my piano lessons again in January.

I have also found wonderful podcasts that support the healthy aging of the baby boomer generation of which I am a part. See the links below and discover them for yourself. It is amazing how time flies while I am exercising and listening to an interview or a podcast of a radio show I would never otherwise hear. This is where I say technology is a wonderful thing. This issue of the TCH Newsletter was inspired by my exposure to new Internet sites; I hope you enjoy the articles as well as the sites.

The Two Compassionate Hands Newsletter, like the website, is dedicated to healing the planet one person at a time. This and future issues will contain articles on physical, environmental, spiritual health, and more. We look forward to bringing you relevant information that will aid you on your path to optimal health and peace. Please let us know what would be most helpful to you and your family.

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Old age ain't no place for sissies.

~ Bette Davis .

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Baby Boomer Social Networking

By Online Social Networking Community

Baby boomer web sites are growing in popularity as more and more seniors are becoming comfortable with computers and the Internet. Baby boomers benefit from the vast amount of information they find online but those who market their products and services to Baby boomers benefit, too. With over 78-million potential customers, Baby boomer web sites have the potential to generate millions of dollars in revenue.

What can Baby boomers find while online? Just about anything they’re looking for, that’s what. If you’re a part of this generation or even if you’re not but you wouldn’t mind tapping into the tremendous buying power that this demographic possesses, here’s a rundown of the types of Baby boomer web sites that are up and running right now.

Health and fitness

There’s definitely no shortage of Baby boomer web sites that deal in some way with health and fitness issues. Whether the site focuses on the most effective weapons to use in the fight against the signs of aging, or it provides tips and tricks for growing old gracefully, or whether it discusses syndromes and symptoms that older people are more likely to fall victim to, Baby boomer web sites are a fast and easy way to find the answers to all your health and fitness-related questions.

Shopping

Some of the top online shopping web sites are targeted towards Baby boomers. Selling everything from business, casual and naughty clothing to products for pampering your precious pets to financial advice, Baby boomers find that online shopping is an easy way to get the best deals for their dollars. Online stores make it easy for Baby boomers to find the best selections, compare prices, and get the products they need delivered right to their doorsteps without having to leave the comfort of their homes.

Gaming

There’s certainly no shortage of gaming-related Baby boomer web sites, either. Whether you prefer a nice quiet game of solitaire or you thrive on the flash and excitement of online poker, you’ll find plenty of sites catering to your every gaming need.

Online dating

More and more Baby boomers are looking for love – or at least companionship – online. They’re finding that meeting people online is easy and it’s a great way to get through those long lonely nights. Online dating is fun, it’s relatively safe, and plenty of lasting love matches got their start online. What’s making the online dating experience even more enjoyable and productive is the arrival of online dating sites targeted directly at the Baby boomer generation.

Social networking

Social networking sites definitely aren’t for teens and twentysomethings anymore! Ask any Baby boomer who has checked recently and they’ll tell you that Baby boomer social networking web sites are where the computer-savvy Baby boomers turn for companionship, for information about upcoming special events, to learn the newest trends and more.

New Baby boomer web sites come online regularly and existing ones are frequently updated. If you’ve haven’t done so lately, you need to go online and see what awaits you!

About the Author: Online Social Networking Community

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We do not grow absolutely, chronologically. We grow sometimes in one dimension, and not in another; unevenly. We grow partially. We are relative. We are mature in one realm, childish in another. The past, present, and future mingle and pull us backward, forward, or fix us in the present. We are made up of layers, cells, constellations.

Anais Nin

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Antioxidants Naturally Found in Foods

By Ciara Carruthers

Why do we need to eat foods that are found to be naturally high in antioxidants?

What are antioxidants?

Which foods do we need to eat, in order to naturally fight free radicals?

Scientists have found that the body forms unstable oxygen molecules, called free radicals; every cell produces tens of thousands of them each day. A free radical is basically an atom with an odd number of electrons in its outer ring. Since electrons have a very strong tendency to exist in a paired rather than an unpaired state, free radicals indiscriminately pick up electrons from other atoms, which in turn convert those other atoms into secondary free radicals, thus setting up a chain reaction, which can cause substantial biological damage. This, in short, is bad. There are also many kinds of free radicals, which we are exposed to everyday, for example, pollution, radiation, cigarette smoke and herbicides.

Antioxidants are thought to neutralise and stabilise these free radicals.

So, which antioxidants are naturally found in which foods?

We have:

Vitamin E: a fat-soluble vitamin found in vegetable oils, nuts, green leafy vegetables, and fortified cereals. Some of the foods containing the highest amounts of vitamin E are wheat germ oil, almonds, sunflower seeds, sunflower oil, hazelnuts, peanuts, spinach, broccoli, kiwi and mango.

Vitamin E is an antioxidant vitamin involved in the metabolism of all cells. It protects vitamin A and essential fatty acids from oxidation in the body cells and prevents breakdown of body tissues.

Vitamin C: Ascorbic acid is a water-soluble vitamin present in citrus fruits and juices, cabbage, green peppers, broccoli, spinach, tomato, kale, guava, cantaloupe, kiwi, papaya, and strawberries.
It is important in forming collagen, a protein that gives structure to bones, cartilage, muscle, and blood vessels. Vitamin C also aids in the absorption of iron, and helps maintain capillaries, bones, and teeth.

Beta-carotene: Beta-carotene is a precursor to vitamin A. It is present in liver, egg yolk, milk, butter, spinach, carrots, squash, broccoli, yams, tomato, cantaloupe, peaches, and grains. Studies have been done on beta-carotene's effectiveness for heart disease, cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, Alzheimer's disease, fibromyalgia, male infertility, and psoriasis.

Coenzyme Q10: CoQ10 boosts energy, enhances the immune system, and acts as an antioxidant. A growing body of research suggests that coenzyme Q10 may help prevent or treat some of the following conditions: heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and others. Primary dietary sources of CoQ10 include oily fish, organ meats such as liver, spinach, broccoli, peanuts, wheat germ and whole grains.

Selenium: Selenium is a trace mineral that is essential to good health but required only in small amounts. It helps synthesize antibodies; helps synthesize co-enzyme Q10and helps transport ions across cell membranes. The best sources of selenium are Brazil nuts, wheat germ, molasses, sunflower seeds, whole wheat bread and dairy foods.

You should note that there are many other antioxidants naturally found in foods. You should also note that the best way to take antioxidants is naturally, through fresh, vibrant food.

One more thing; sometimes less is more. Some of these antioxidants are only needed in small amounts, so check into whether you need to take more or not, before you start overdosing on antioxidants!

About the Author:

Ciara Carruthers is an aspiring raw foodist. She has created a website dedicated to raw food at http://www.rawfoodhealth.co.uk, where you can find her raw food journal, related articles and raw food recipes.

Whole Foods Supplements

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Exercise Your Willpower Support Group Mailing List

If you need more motivation and some group support, feel free to subscribe to the Exercise Your Willpower mailing list. There is a great group of people who help motivate each other. To get more information, visit the website at: http://www.exerciseyourwillpower.com

Online Fitness and Health Tools

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Baby Boomer Retirement Options

By Baby Boomer Retirement

As the first wave of Baby boomers nears retirement age, they’re beginning to realize that unlike their predecessors, they have many options. Here’s a look at some of the Baby boomer retirement options this group of mature adults are choosing.

They’re working long past retirement age

The generations that came before the Baby Boomers retired from the work force at either age 62 or 65 or sometimes 67. They got their pensions and their social security checks and before long they sold their homes and moved in with their adult children where they stayed until their passing. But not today’s Baby boomers!

It’s almost like collectively they’re saying, “What me, retire?” Instead of closing up shop, they’re choosing to remain in the work force, working part time and sometimes full time, sometimes out of necessity, but more often, they’re continuing with work that they enjoy. For this group, the Baby boomer retirement option they’re choosing is to postpone retirement.

They’re volunteering

Another popular Baby boomer retirement option is volunteering. Almost in an effort to reverse a lifetime of putting “me-first,” Baby boomers are ready to give back. And there’s no shortage of ways they’re giving back. They’re becoming foster grandparents and they’re sharing their business experiences with up-and-coming entrepreneurs. They’re giving their time to charitable organizations such as the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and the Peace Corps. They’re volunteering at schools and hospitals, speaking at college campuses, and they’re helping out at senior centers.

They’re making health a priority

Long gone are the days of 80-hour work weeks, experimenting with mind-altering drugs, overindulging on food, alcohol and nicotine and all those other bad habits that Baby boomers are known for. For many, Baby boomer retirement is a time to make health a priority. Baby boomers are going to the gym, riding bikes, playing tennis and golf, swimming, dancing, hiking, and canoeing. They’re basically doing whatever they can (and what they enjoy doing) to keep their bodies moving. They’re quitting bad habits and eating nutritious meals and many are living longer as a result.

They’re traveling more

The senior travel business is definitely booming as it tries to keep pace with another popular Baby boomer retirement option. No longer feeling the need to plan for their children’s futures, more Baby boomers are of the opinion that “You can’t take it with you!” They’re talking about the money they’ve accrued during their work years and they’re certainly having no trouble finding ways to spend it. They’re visiting places they never before had a chance to see and they’re returning to old favorites. Whether it’s a week-end get-away or a 2-month hiatus, alone or with friends or loved ones, Baby boomers are definitely enjoying their travels.

They’re going out with a bang

If there’s one thing you can be certain of, it’s that the Baby boomers definitely won’t ride quietly into the sunset. Like every other thing they’ve done in their long lives, they Baby boomer retirement options they choose won’t be mainstream!

About the Author: Baby Boomer Retirement

Financial Planning for Retirement

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"Great is the matter of birth and death,
Time passes quickly.
Wake-up! Wake-up!
Don't waste a minute."

-on the wall outside of the Zendo at the Zen Center of Denver

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Why Has Yoga Become So Popular?

By Howard VanEs

Did you know that over fifteen million people practiced yoga in 2003, according to a landmark study by Yoga Journal Magazine. And the numbers are expected to increase dramatically in subsequent years. Your own experiences probably confirm this study – maybe you practice yoga, know someone who does, or just take a walk along any busy main street - your bound to see someone carrying a yoga mat. In fact you can’t even open a magazine or newspaper without finding an article about yoga. So, how does a 5000-year-old spiritual practice become today’s hottest mind/body trend?

Perhaps the best way to understand yoga’s popularity is to go right to the people who practice it. If you ask them why, some of the more common replies you might hear are “flexibility, increased energy, improved focus, reduction of the symptoms associated with stress, and an overall good feeling.” The fact is that yoga can have a rejuvenating effect on all systems of the body including the circulatory, glandular system, digestive, nervous, skeletal/muscular, reproductive system and respiratory system.

On a physical level – according to the U.S. Dept. on Aging there four components to good physical health: Strength, flexibility, balance, aerobic capacity. It is interesting to note that yoga can accomplish all these things and no fancy piece of equipment is needed – other than your own body and a yoga mat.

Over the last 100 years our lives have become very fast paced: cell phones, computers, internet, television. This along with a strong work ethic often results in people out of balance – people experiencing a lot of stress. Consequently, there is a strong need to de-stress - to quiet our minds and rejuvenate our bodies. And yoga helps achieve this – helping us return to a state of balance and health.

Yoga brings us into the moment – it is very difficult to practice and be thinking about what happened at work today or the party tomorrow night. Becoming present
in itself is a great release from stress. At its best, yoga meets the student where they are – so it is adjusted to the student’s level and capacity. That doesn’t mean it is particularly easy or particularly challenging – it can be either or both on any given day.

Then there is the therapeutic component. Yoga can be used successfully with conditions such as insomnia, back problems, digestion problems, asthma, improving circulation, anxiety, weight loss, just to name a few.

Basically yoga is non –competitive; it is not about winning or losing – you can go at your own rate. Of course people still compete with themselves though and compare their posture to others in class.

In addition many of us are yearning for something more. Many of us have shied away from organized religion yet seek a spiritual practice that connects us to ourselves as well as something larger – a spiritual practice that is non-dogmatic, without many rules. While most of the yoga practiced in health clubs is primarily the physical aspects of yoga – the philosophical side seeps in. And for those that want to learn more about the philosophy of yoga information and classes are readily available to them. At its simplest level yoga quiets the mind and opens the body – setting the stage for withdrawing deeper inside oneself – to a place of peace, a place of balance, a place of health. It is here where the divine within us can be more easily discovered.

There are many different styles of yoga and it never needs to be boring - it can be slow and gentle, it can challenge your strength, it can be aerobic or vigorous or it can be very introspective. There is as style to match most personalities. There is yoga for seniors, pre-natal yoga, postnatal yoga, power yoga, gentle yoga, etc. There are classes that focus on back care, yoga done in groups and one-on-one, privately with an instructor. The yogic scriptures say there are some 84,000 postures and variations. The field of yoga is huge and there is always, always something new to learn.

The media has also helped spread the message of yoga and the fact the celebrities like Madonna and Sting practice yoga doesn’t hurt either!

About the Author:

Howard VanEs, M.A. has been studying and practicing yoga for over thirteen years and is a certified yoga teacher teaching in the East Bay area of San Francisco. He is author of "Beginning Yoga: A Practice Manual", co-creator of the audio CD "Shavasana / Deep Relaxation". He is also a former psychotherapist. http://www.letsdoyoga.com email: info@letsdoyoga.com 510-587-3399

And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.

~ Abraham Lincoln

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Articles and Web Sites Worth a Look

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Boomer Women Speak

Third Age Foundation

Yoga Journal

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If you would like to submit an article, or place an advertisement in this newsletter, or if you have any questions or comments, send them to the Editor.

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Disclaimer

The information in this newsletter is not intended in any way to be a substitute for medical advice. Always see your doctor before you begin any exercise routine or make drastic changes in your diet.

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Go to Two Compassionate Hands Website

November/December 2007

Volume 3, Issue 6

Baby Boomer Social Networking

Antioxidants Naturally Found in Foods

Baby Boomer Retirement Options

Why Has Yoga Become So Popular?

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