Established in 2000 | Modesto, CA
Healthy Aging Association
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Healthy Aging
​Updates & Posts

We strive to get out accurate and reliable information for our community members. Here we include fun posts with tips and tricks to live a healthier lifestyle and updates on our programs and classes. Also, please scroll below to see what programs we are offering.
For more updated information view our Facebook Page.

Our Facebook Page

New Year, Fresh Start!

12/30/2020

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1. Exercise 10 minutes a day, 7 days a week. Try to be as physically active as you can. Find exercises or a class you enjoy, making physical activity a daily habit. Increase time you exercise as you feel comfortable to work up to 150 minutes a week.
2. Explore new volunteer opportunities. Some volunteer opportunities can be done from the comfort of your home. Contact local organizations to see if they need help making phone calls, which can be done from home. If you volunteer outside your home take precautions to wear a mask, gloves, and ask the organization what safety measures they are taking to ensure your safety.
3. Make a phone call once a week to check in on a friend or neighbor. Try calling and checking in with a friend or neighbor on a weekly basis to see how they are doing and possibly brighten their day with your thoughtfulness.
4. Spend more time with grandkids, even if it is by virtual means. Try to get creative about visits with grandchildren, especially if you are not able to visit face-to-face. Plan a FaceTime, Zoom, or phone call with grandchildren.
5. Revisit an old pastime. Do you find that you have more free time on your hands? Take up an activity or hobby you once found enjoyable: knitting, quilting, crocheting, fishing, painting, woodworking, making homemade cards or other crafts or stamp collecting to name a few.
6. Make healthier food decisions. Try some new recipes that keep your health conditions in mind and incorporate more fruits and vegetables. Healthy food choices take time, make small changes over time.
7. Keep the brain active. Challenge your mind by doing a crossword puzzle, word search, Sudoku puzzle or other brain teaser daily to promote brain function.
8.Make your overall health a priority. Scheduling annual doctor visits or check-ups are important. If it is challenging to make a face-to-face visit, ask if the doctor can do a telehealth visit covered by your insurance. The advice and tips from your doctor help keep you healthy all year long.
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While the past year has presented many challenges physically, mentally, and emotionally, let's remember to stay as positive as we can to make this year the best one yet!
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Written by: Jessica Shupp Enes
Source: 
https://www.sunriseseniorliving.com/blog/december-2016/8-new-years-resolutions-for-seniors.aspx​ 

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My Plate Holiday Makeover

12/23/2020

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While the holidays may look differently this year it is still important to keep in mind the healthier options we can make during this holiday season. Whether you are cooking for one or a small group of people ChooseMyPlate.gov has come up with some helpful reminders from beverages to the main course. 

Tweak the sweets: Fruits make delicious desserts.
Bake Healthier: Use recipes with pureed fruits instead of butter or oil.
Brighten your meal: Fill half your plate with fruits and vegetables.
Swap the grains: Choose whole wheat flour instead of white flour.
Cheers to good health: Drink water to manage calories.
Spice it up: Use spices and herbs instead of sugar and salt.
Skim the fat: Try skim evaporated milk instead of heavy cream.
Go easy on the gravy: A little bit of gravy goes a long way.
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As MyPlate MyWins reminds us, "The holidays are often filled with time-honored traditions that include some of our favorite meals and foods. As you celebrate, think of little changes you can make to create healthier meals and active days."


Written By: Jessica Shupp Enes
Image and Information: https://www.choosemyplate.gov/infographic-myplate-holiday-makeover
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Mindful Eating

11/4/2020

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Kaiser Permanente reminds us of the importance of mindful eating in their "What Does Healthy Eating Mean to You?" article. Many of us find ourselves rushing through life at times, whether we are meeting a friend or family member, are involved with a volunteer group or club, or keeping ourselves busy around the home. When you make meals for yourself and/or others do you rush through the meal without fully enjoying it? Do you take the time to truly appreciate the food and those who prepared it? Keep these helpful tips in mind to help you be more mindful of your eating habits and make healthy choices for your diet:
  • Before eating, ask yourself if you are actually hungry.
  • If you're bored, sad or stressed do you find yourself turning to food? Try another activity like going for a walk, reading a book, or calling a friend.
  • Ask you eat, take small bites to savor the flavors and aromas. Be grateful for the nutrients and energy the food brings you.
  • Listen to your body while eating and stop when you are satisfied.

Written by Jessica Shupp Enes, B.A.
For more healthy living tips visit kp.org/healthyweight or contact your local Kaiser Permanente Health Education Center.
Image from the 
https://blog.cdphp.com/healthy-living/4-simple-mindful-eating-tips/
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Gobble Gobble

11/3/2020

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During this holiday season whether you are cooking for one or a few people here are some healthy and tasty appetizer ideas. 

For a vegetable tray with a variety of raw vegetables such as carrots, snap peas, broccoli, celery, bell peppers, and cucumbers to name a few, try this Ranch recipe from the EatFresh.org website:

½ cup Buttermilk
low fat 1% 2 tablespoons greek yogurt Plain
2 tablespoons Green onion finely chopped
2 tablespoons Parsley finely chopped
½ teaspoon Garlic powder
1teaspoon Sugar
½ teaspoon Salt
Black pepper to taste

If you decide to make a fruit platter instead with a variety of fruits such as strawberries, apples, pears, or grapes try this Fruit dip recipe also found on the EatFresh.org website to spice up your appetizers for any holiday:

8 ounces Vanilla Yogurt Lowfat
2 tablespoons 100% orange juice
1tablespoon Lime juice
1 tablespoon Brown Sugar
2 red apples Medium, cored and sliced
1pear Medium, cored and sliced
1plum Medium, sliced
8 Strawberries Large


A few great things about the EatFresh.org website is the ability to modify the serving size (ingredients update automatically) and substitutions if you are unable to have certain ingredients. We encourage you to check out the EatFresh.org website for other healthy recipes that may be a great addition to your holiday meals.

Written by: Jessica Shupp Enes, B.A. 
Image: 
https://www.food.com/recipe/thanksgiving-turkey-veggie-tray-267386
Recipes: EatFresh.org

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Let's Get Cooking!

10/27/2020

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Making healthy choices for our meals can make a huge difference in our lives as we age. Healthy eating can strengthen our immune system, improve how we feel, and help us manage our overall well-being. When we practice a healthy lifestyle we obtain nutrients our body needs, maintain healthy weight, reduce the risk of chronic diseases (high blood pressure, diabetes, hypertension and heart disease), and boosts energy levels. 

Healthy Aging Association is now offering Nutrition Workshops from the Food Smarts program. These classes meet once a week for 5 weeks on Zoom and discuss various nutrition topics, strategies for healthy eating and recipes to try at home. These classes not only broaden our own personal thinking about nutrition, but they allow participants to discuss topics amongst each other and take part in fun activities and demonstrations.

To join in the classes Healthy Aging Association is offering you can call our office at (209)525-4670 or email us at healthy.aging2000@gmail.com to register today!

Written By: Jessica Shupp Enes
Source: https://www.choosemyplate.gov/browse-by-audience/view-all-audiences/adults/older-adults
https://eatfresh.org/
https://www.leahspantry.org/what-we-offer/cultivate-nourished-communities/food-smarts-curriculum/

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WALK A S.T.E.P.S. SAFE WALKING ROUTE

8/31/2020

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Walking is the easiest exercise to help you start moving during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Walking outside, keeping a  safe distance from others and wearing a mask can keep you safe. S.T.E.P.S Walking Routes for Modesto, Patterson and Ceres are mapped out routes so you can easily track your miles. These routes are available complete with directions, map,  and other helpful walking tips. Please call (209) 525-4670 and we will mail you the map of your choice.
​Please be aware due to COVID-19 safety protocol, the Senior Centers that are listed on the maps may be closed. 
Also, before you start your walk check the air quality index on your phone or computer to ensure the best outside experience!

​Written by: Erlinda Bourcier
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Summer Energy Saving Tips

8/5/2020

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Consider a range of appliances to cook with during these hot summer months. Not only will this help to not heat up your whole house, but they can also be great options for cooking in small spaces or when cooking for one.
  • A slow cooker, or crock-pot, uses very low heat to cook food slowly. It can be left alone for hours and uses less energy than many other appliances.
    • ​Great for soups, stews, tough meat or dried beans.
  • A rice cooker uses medium heat to steam food. It works faster than a slow cooker. For safety it shuts off automatically and has no exposed heat source.
    • ​Great for grain or bean dishes, soups, stews, or steamed foods.
  • A toaster oven is a very small oven. This option is more energy efficient than a stove for cooking small items and is great for small spaces.
    • ​Great for sandwiches, pizza, or reheating small items.
  • An electric skillet works like a skillet on a stovetop. This appliance is great for cooking small items and is safer than a hot plate.
    • ​Great for eggs, stir fries or whole grain pancakes.
  • A microwave cooks food very quickly and is great for small spaces. ​
    • Great for thawing, hot beverages, steaming items, ready-to-heat foods, and leftovers.
For more energy saving tips during the summer months visit pge.com or join Healthy Aging Association’s 5-Week Nutrition Class from Leah's Pantry to learn more about cooking with these appliances.

Written by Jessica Shupp Enes, Fitness Program Coordinator
Sources: https://www.pge.com
https://www.leahspantry.org/

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Think Positive Thoughts

6/25/2020

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Did you know there are many mental and emotional health benefits of walking? Whether you are walking indoors, or outside walking can have many positive impacts on our mental and emotional states.
  • Walking can be a form of relaxation to clear the mind and focus better.
  • Walking can relieve feeling of anxiety or depression you may be experiencing especially with the unknowns of this time.
  • Walking can help you sleep better or improve your sleep quality.
  • Walking can make you more creative and allow you to refresh the mind especially if you are doing a lot of concentrating.

Our mental health, along with our physical health, is very important to our overall well-being. Here are some ways to keep your mental health in check and perform self-care:
  • Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories.
  • Make time to unwind and try activities you enjoy.
  • Connect with others by making phone calls or Facetime family to maintain healthy relationships and build a strong support system.
  • Take care of your body – Try to eat healthy well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, take deep breaths, stretch and get plenty of sleep.
  • Seek help when needed– If distress impacts activities of your daily life for several days or weeks, talk to a clergy member, counselor, or doctor, or contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-985-5990.
For more information on Coping with Stress and Taking Care of Your Emotional Health visit the CDC website www.cdc.gov

Written by Jessica Shupp Enes, Fitness Program Coordinator
Resource: https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/
Image: 
https://postbuck.com/walking-and-jogging-for-the-elderly-people/
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Healthy Eating for Life!

5/11/2020

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As we age, having good nutrition plays a vital role in our overall well-being. Making sure we are getting the vitamins and nutrients our bodies need helps to give us the energy we need to go about our normal day, build up our immune system to fight infection and other diseases, and have strong skin and bones, to name a few benefits. There may be challenges we face to be able to eat healthy and get the nutritious food our bodies need. 

The National Institute on Aging advises us, "Different foods in each food group have different nutrients. Picking an assortment within every food group throughout the week will help you get many nutrients. For example, choose seafood instead of meat twice a week. The variety of foods will make your meals more interesting, too." EatFresh.org remind us of the importance of making sure our plate is colorful with a variety of fruits and vegetables, this is also a great resource to find new recipes to try!


EatFresh.org has come up with a Mini Course to "boost your nutrition, cooking and healthy living knowledge". Take this fun course to learn more ways you can eat healthy, save money, and cook easy, tasty meals. 


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Written by Jessica Shupp-Enes, Fitness Program Coordinator
Source:https://eatfresh.org/eatfreshorg-mini-course
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/vitamins-and-minerals
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Outside Awareness

4/30/2020

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Falls can happen in and around the home amid our daily routine. With the weather warming up and our desire to get some sunshine on your face, here are some tips to help prevent falls outdoors when walking to stay active, doing yard work, or running errands.

Be aware of where and when you walk
  • Walk in areas with plenty of lighting, especially in the evening.
  • Be aware of your surroundings, such as, fallen leaves, tree roots, cracks in the sidewalk, curbs, holes, and uneven sidewalk.
  • Hold hand rails and move slowly when climbing stairs.
  • Be cautious during and after stormy weather. Rain can make any surface slippery.
  • Walk in crosswalks and use curb cuts or ramps when crossing the street.
  • Remember to wear correct eye wear when walking. Wear bifocals or reading glasses on bright days to reduce glare.

Some additional reminders to maintain walking distance during this time:
  • Stay 6 feet away from people on the sidewalk.
  • When preparing to pass someone be vigilant about moving feet away rather than inches, like we were used to.
  • We may need to get off the sidewalk entirely to let someone pass.
  • Remember the grass can be an uneven surface and cause a fall.
  • Find a time when not a lot of neighbors are out walking.
  • Cross the street on the other side of the road.
  • Single file line if walking with a family member from the same household.

While there may be more challenges to getting in our steps during this "stay at home" order we hope these tips will help you prevent a fall from occurring and encourage you if you choose to take a walk outdoors. For more tips on preventing falls visit the Stopfalls.org website.

Written by Jessica Shupp-Enes, Fitness Program Coordinator
Resources: http://stopfalls.org/
Image:
https://www.sfexaminer.com/features/whos-to-blame-for-an-uneven-sidewalk/
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Healthy Aging Association| 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization
3500 Coffee Road Suite 19 | Modesto, CA 95355 
Office: (209)525-4670
 
Email: healthy.aging2000@gmail.com
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