Life after 50 with Carmel Baronoff
Life doesn’t slow down at 50, according to Carmel Baronoff, a Boca-based chef and fitness expert. As the star of “Living Well with Carmel,” Baronoff acts as viewers’ personal cheerleader, promoting aging gracefully and turning a mid-life crisis into a mid-life opportunity. “It’s our moment to blossom,” she says. “The children are out of the house, and there is a lot more living to do. … After all these years, we are in tune with ourselves and finally know what we still want to do in our second chapter of life.” Baronoff shares the key to staying motivated, passionate and healthy with the use of four tactics.
Stay Interested: I am always inspired when I learn of the 85-year-old fitness instructor, the 90-year-old ballroom dancer, or the senior who took up sky diving on his or her 100th birthday. These are individuals who know that staying active is the key to longevity. More importantly, they understand that being keenly interested later in life is one of the secrets to staying young.
Whether it’s a hobby that introduces you to new skills, a sport that keeps you limber and in shape, or a social activity that enables you to make new friends, there are countless beneficial factors that can keep you sharp, happy and healthy for a lifetime.
Reduce Stress: Certainly a hobby is ideal for learning new skills, but it also takes your mind off of the stresses and strains in your life as you are forced to concentrate on the task at hand. Some ideas include gardening, cooking or playing a musical instrument.
Increase Memory: Any activity that requires rote memory or problem solving is an excellent exercise for the mind. If you want a brain tune-up, be sure to try any of the following: card games such as Bridge, crossword puzzles and even memorizing lines of a play.
Improve Flexibility: I always say, ‘Keep moving!’ There are so many easy and fun-to-do activities that involve stretching and improving your muscles strength. The added benefits to some of these activities are the possibility of meeting a new group of people while enjoying some healthy competition. Some of my favorites include playing golf, dancing, yoga, swimming and walking.
Superfoods
Healthy eating habits are important for every stage of life. As we grow older, our aging bodies require more nutrition from the foods we eat in order to remain fit and energetic. Infusing “superfoods” into a daily diet is one way to make sure the meals we enjoy are full of nutritional value. Superfoods are named such because they are fortified with vitamins and health benefits that will provide energy, bolster the immune system and help the body lose weight.
Some superfoods include beets, lemons, beans, sardines, berries, hot peppers, grapes and dark chocolate. Here’s a salad recipe that’s rich in vitamins and minerals:
Carmel’s SuperFood Salad
Dressing:
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon maple syrup
Salt and pepper
Combine ingredients in a lidded container and shake.
Salad:
Romaine lettuce blended with a spring mix
1/4 cup the following:
Sardines (skinless and boneless packed in olive oil)
Dates (with stems chopped off)
Seedless red grapes (sliced in two)
Chopped celery
Tuscan beans
Chickpeas
Walnuts
Diced green onions
3 tablespoons of grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (optional)
Lay out the bed of lettuce in a bowl and drizzle prepared dressing over the greens. Top with remaining ingredients and finish off with the shaved cheese.
To learn more about Baronoff and to watch “Living Well with Carmel,” visit lwwc.tv.
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