Today Is Your Day Boomer

Today is your day Boomer! I have mixed feelings over this bit of news. Starbucks, the famous coffee maker, is introducing a new line of coffee laced with virgin, infused olive oil! Supporters say this is just another tasty option to add to an-already great coffee and it has its cultural origins in the hills of Italy. Critics say it is just another money maker for the huge company and is similar to people adding fatty milk or cream. Olive oil, however, may be a healthier alternative, as the liquid gold contains anti-inflammatory compounds that may benefit your heart, bone and digestive health while also aiding to stabilize blood sugar levels. Sounds good, I guess. Maybe worth a try. But hold it, the new Oleato "liquid gold" brand is just coming out. It will be available in the U.S., the U.K., Japan and the Middle East later this year. Starbucks says the company does not currently have plans to expand the oily option to Canada. Boomer Starbucks coffee addicts will just h

Today is your day Boomer! Another Baby Boomer going above and beyond the call of duty. 62-year-old Cathy Locke lost her husband a few years ago, but now she has a new family....a new family of 14, refugees from the war in Ukraine! And this family is not just staying temporarily in Locke's house in Barrie, Ontario....they are there permanently. She has adopted them, all of them! "This just became the perfect fit," Locke says. "I've moved downstairs to the basement while they've taken the top half of the house; there's so many of them, but you wouldn't even know it." She is the new Canadian "mother" of the big family which has many children, as you can see in the picture. The family has already been living there for 7 months and has even named their new baby after Locke. The father says "we don't want to leave here. We're looking to make our new lives in this beautiful country; with God's love and people's help,

Today is your day Boomer! Watch out Boomers, bad guys are coming for your vehicle! Yup, the two most recent favourite models of thieves are new-ish Dodge Ram trucks and Toyota Highlander SUVs. Both are popular with Boomers, who may use the trucks to pull a trailer or 5th wheel. How do they do it? To steal, thieves reprogram key fobs and use relay attacks to take over the vehicle’s computer system. It can be done in just a few minutes. So, what can you do to protect your vehicle? Police are urging owners to use security cameras, park indoors in a garage, use steering wheel lock devices and Faraday pouches or other similar devices that can shield a key fob from being read by criminals using devices at your door. Boomers, this is a lesson for all of us that have spent very big money on a new vehicle. Covering that fob is one good idea....and maybe we can "dodge" that bullet! By the way, many of these stolen trucks and SUVs are headed overseas to a burgeoning market. Yuk.

Today is your day Boomer! A bunch of old guys having coffee at Tim Hortons....I never thought that would be me. But now that I am 64 and I have a lot of golf and bridge friends, we have started doing just that! And....I like it and I look forward to it. By the way, health specialists say the key to a longer life and a good retirement is lots of social interation. And loneliness plays a key role in all of this. According to aging specialist Harry Owen Taylor, the people most likely to be negatively affected by loneliness are those who are going through a major life change, such as the loss of a job, retirement, the death of a loved one, a breakup, or moving to a new city. He says "loneliness is associated with almost any type of health outcome you can think of, from physical health to mental health to cognitive health and overall mortality…. You have about a 26 per cent higher chance of dying if you are lonely." Wow....26%. Something to think about Boomers as we all emer

Today is your day Boomer! We all know that many Boomers have the time, energy, and motivation to exercise every day. We all know that moderate cardio fitness, stretching, and weightlifting should be part of our weekly routine. But when is the best time to exercise? A new study of 92,000 UK residents says any time is a good time, but afternoon is best! Authors said in their report that the research is “the first evidence” that moderate to intense physical activity, regardless of the time of day, is associated with living longer, and a lower risk of death from cancer or cardiovascular disease. Specifically, the best hours are 11:00-5:00 when apparently our body gains the most benefits from being active. This is especially true for older men, like us Boomers; the study says "One reason for afternoon workouts appearing to be more beneficial is people are less likely to have a heart attack during that time period. Another factor has to do with behaviour, as research shows workin

Today is your day Boomer! Want to stay toasty warm in the winter and cool in the summer? Boomers, maybe the way to go is a new heat pump. I have one of these units in my house, and we like it for the most part. Here are some pros and cons. Positives: it is an energy effecient system that provides both warm and cool air, so you do not need a separate summer air conditioner. How effecient? According to BC Hydro PowerSmart, a heat pump system is up to 300 per cent more efficient than electric baseboard heaters, up to 50 per cent more efficient for cooling than a typical A/C unit, and they reduce greenhouse household gas emissions compared to fossil fuel heating. Also your house needs a duct system, although some systems can work in non-duct homes. Negatives: they are expensive, but like EV cars, you can get government rebates of up to $11,000. Personally, I find the heat does not feel as "warm" as a regular gas furnace or wood stove.....but it does the job. Also our fur

Today is your day Boomer! This is not a personal issue for me.....I am six feet tall, but I guess it is for some men. Short men, that is. A new clinic in Montreal can break both your legs, and do corrective surgery to increase your height by 3 inches. Then there is extensive physiotheraphy for many months, including a lengthy time on crutches. The two main reasons men do this? (1)better dating potential (2)increased job prospects. But the real reason is self-body image and confidence according to this man: "a lot of these people who want to get this procedure done will refrain from even going to social events. They won’t go to their holiday parties or they won’t go to weddings. There was one guy who told me he didn’t go to his best friend’s wedding because of his height." This man is Victor Egonu, who had the surgery done himself, and has interviewed over 1500 similar patients! Wow, that is quite the demand! By the way the surgery costs up to $100,000 and then add i

Today is your day Boomer! Look at the pie chart and realize we, Boomers, drink alot of wine. Maybe not as much as another generation, but still about 1/3 of all wine sold in North America! But...apparently, we are making new demands on winemakers for selection and options. According to a new article from the Canadian Press, Boomers often now choose smaller containers....bottles and cans. "Along with making wine more attractive to those looking to toss some in a backpack or sip on the golf course, the petite containers leave wineries with options for a potential shift in mindset as Canadians discuss the health benefits of reducing alcohol consumption." Remember, the latest recommendations from health experts say we should be reducing our wine consumption to about two glasses per week. So, smaller containers are better! As well, many wineries are now offering "light" wine.....that is, wine with less alcohol content. Often, I see 9% alcohol instead of 12-13%.

Today is your day Boomer! Today is Family Day across my fair province of British Columbia...a day for family activities like skiing, hiking, and walks. But for some Boomers, it might be a day of gardening...out of necessity! The so-called "false spring" is still with us as another cold arctic weather front is expected this week. In my town, temperatures will dip to -14 on Thursday night. This can damage some plants, and especially young, growing flowers like the ones in this picture. Advice? It comes from experts like Brian Minter who warns gardeners not to prune their roses yet, as this shouldn't be done until the last cold spell is over. "Pretty much everything in your garden, you want to take a look at, but the more tender items we need to look after them."....like daffodils, primroses, and pansies! Also, vulnerable potted plants can be brought inside or covered in some way. And, you can get really serious for plants that are stuck in the ground; it

Today is your day Boomer! I'm pickin' up good vibrations....She's giving me excitations....I'm pickin' up good vibrations....She's giving me excitations....Good, good, good, good vibrations! Boomers, remember this great Beach Boys' song from 1966? It has been rated as the "happiest song of all time". Who says so? His name is Michael Bonshor, and the musicologist has claimed that its joyful nature is based on the fact that it ticks all the boxes of his special formula, including being written in 137BPM, in a major key with a short intro and bright tones, and it contains four beats in every bar. "Alongside this, cheery songs usually have a strong 1-2-1-2 beat to them, so that you can dance along – and a short introduction means the song kicks off with a bang straight away, and there’s not a long build up. We like high volume when it comes to how our happy songs are made, with notes played in a bright and bouncy way by instruments such as t

Today is your day Boomer! I know, I know....another pickleball blog. But it is the fastest-growing sport in North America and a big favourite of Boomers! This time, we focus on injuries associated with the sport. Here is a list of the five most common pickleball injuries:(1)Achilles’ strains or tears (2)Shoulder problems (3)Rotator cuff injuries (4))Lower back problems such as disc strains (5)Lateral epicondylitis, commonly known as tennis elbow. Sports medicine expert Stephanie Bourassa says "It’s a fast-paced game, requiring a lot of quick reactions; there's not a lot of running, but there’s lots of quick pivots, lunging, rotating and twisting. These motions can put a lot of strain on the body, especially when in a compressed position. If you were previously sedentary, you need to warm up.” So, Boomer pickleballers....how can you protect yourself from injuries? Bourassa has four tips: (1)Hydrate in advance and stay hydrated during play (2)Eat before play (3)Increase hear

Today is your day Boomer! There is good news and bad news regarding the popular sport of pickleball. The good: over 1 million Canadians now play the sport; that is over triple the number from 2021. The sport is not just for Boomers and seniors, it is now becoming very popular with the younger generation, especially 18-34 year olds! "I do think it is the fastest growing sport in Canada and probably North America,” says Carla Anderson, the executive director of Pickleball Canada. She says it’s “fascinating to watch” the explosion in play. It also includes three new professional leagues in the US and Canada for the highly-competitive players. Now the bad: simply put, there are not enough courts to meet the increasing demand. People are playing at wierd hours, like early morning, and there are conflicts on court regarding time. There is also conflict with tennis players who don't like pickleball lines on their tennis courts and then there is the noise. Residents living near

Today is your day Boomer! I am currently in the midst of an eight-week heart physio exercise program as I try to resume normal life after heart valve surgery. The three-day a week program involves 30 minutes of cardio and 45 minutes of 10 station weighlifting and stretching. It feels great and I am making good progress. Well, the World Health Organization is taking notice of us Boomers as we are among the 3.2 million world citizens that die every year from lack of physical activity. WHO says we should be doing this: 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity. At least 10-minute intervals of sustained aerobic activity. For more health benefits, an additional 300 minutes of moderate or 150 minutes of vigorous activity. Three or more days with balance exercises. Two or more days with strengthening exercises. So...being as physically active as possible! This means, for example, getting into a routine and not overdoing it. Working into exer

Today is your day Boomer! I remember a biking friend a while ago sliding and falling on black ice and breaking his hip. We do not want this happening to you Boomers, so here are some winter cycling tips from Landon Bradshaw of the Kelowna Cycling Coalition.• Route planning: Seasonal bike lanes on road shoulders are used for snow storage in the winter months, so your usual cycling routes may need to be adjusted. Many people switch parts of their trip to low-traffic residential streets. • Traction: The weather forecast is for warmer weather and melting, but we could still see black ice in the mornings and areas where melting snow refreezes overnight. While normal tires will work in the warmer conditions, regular winter riders should invest in studded tires.• Clothing: Cross-country skiing is the best parallel to winter cycling. Breathable layers are preferable. • Gloves and other accessories: Ski gloves work well for winter cycling since you will lose heat to your grips (where the

Today is your day Boomer! Thanks to my Boomer friend Jon for sharing this idea for a blog. It is all about keeping your aging brain quick and smart. I have written about this before, but here is an update based on the writing and research of Dr. Sanjay Gupta, a health commentator on CNN. In his new book, Gupta outlines six tips to keep your brain sharp. Some are obvious like "movement"....he says moderate exercise is better than excessive fitness because it builds brain cells more effectively. Other tips are less typical like "discovery": for example, he says "take different routes to familiar destinations. Brush your teeth with the non-dominant hand. Skip the solitary games and crossword puzzles and pick up a new hobby that involves other people." Other suggestions? Get a good night's sleep, good nutrition(he says reduce sugar intake), increase your social connections, and get more "downtime" every day: "take breaks during the d

Today is your day Boomer! Another example today of Boomers volunteering their time....lots of time to raise lots of money for the Make-A-Wish foundation. And it's a great idea; it is snow golf! Just grab your old clubs, bring bright yellow tennis balls, warm clothes, and be ready to golf nine holes. They do this in New Brunswick and recently, a local wish was granted for a 9-year-old named Mya, who has cystic fibrosis. In December Mya, along with her family, travelled to Florida to visit a theme park. Wow, what a great experience for a little girl who really deserves some special treatment! The mostly-Boomer volunteers have been doing this fundraiser for over 20 years and have raised over $300,000. Spokesperson Sue Dempster says "we have 60 local children in New Brunswick right now with critical illnesses that are waiting on wishes.” And this could be done easily in any province on any golf course. It just takes some passionate people with big ideas. Cheers!

Today is your day Boomer! My next few blogs will focus on Boomers I admire alot....Boomers who volunteer big chunks of their time to help their communities! This picture features a group of mostly men, many of whom I worked with in the teaching profession, who have taken-on a huge role to maintain a local community outdoor skating rink. The rink, which I frequent once in awhile, has been on my blog before and is located in Penticton, BC....in the Okanagan Valley. From Zamboni drivers to ice builders and maintenance people, the rink remains open seven days a week at no cost to anyone because of all the volunteers who work on behalf of those in the community. Fifteen volunteers, for instance, are responsible for ensuring the ice is ready to be used by 8 a.m. every day. Spokesman Gord Barnes says "for us, it’s quite enjoyable because we’re all Canadian and we all love hockey…it’s almost sort of on a wishlist for a lot of us to drive a Zamboni." And not only do they all don

Today is your day Boomer! After 64 years on this planet, I have finally figured out the best way to buy a used car. The picture shows our newish Ford SUV bought yesterday in a non-stressful, limited time, easy process. I did my research ahead of time, test-driving vehicles and checking numbers, and found the car my wife and I wanted on-line. We set-up the appointment, did a quick test drive for affirmation, negotiated a reduced price in only five minutes, and did the banking, transfer and insurance papers in about 90 minutes. Both buyers and sellers were "reasonable" and friendly and the deal was done quickly....no heavy-pressure salespeople, no back-and-forth with the sales manager, no trade-in bickering, and no extra costs like the dreaded administrative fee(often around 800$) charged by dealerships. As well, you usually get a lower overall price if you buy privately. The whole thing went swimmingly well and we got the ruby red, high tech, low kilometre SUV we reall

Today is your day Boomer! I always thought I was a non-smoker. Both my parents smoked at an early age and cancer runs in my family. But apparently I do smoke and so do you....if you live in a big city. The latest research, as depicted in this graph, shows that by breathing-in polluted air, it is just like smoking! Montreal is the worst city in Canada, Victoria is 13th at 86 cigarettes and Vancouver is number 16 at 59 cigs. What about globally? In Dhaka, Bangladesh, for example, people "smoke" the equivalent of an astonishing 1,176 cigarettes annually due to poor air quality. That's about 60 packs per year! Baghdad, Iraq was the second-worst, with residents indirectly smoking 1,009 cigarettes. On the other end of the spectrum, Bern, Switzerland, has the cleanest air of any capital city in the world, with locals indirectly smoking 11 cigarettes each year. I live in the relatively clean Okanagan Valley in BC, so I assume my numbers are low. Trust me....not always, es

Today is your day Boomer! We are the Baby Boomers, let us roar! Okay, calm down Dave.....but I really like our generation! There are millions of us born between 1946 and 1964, and boy did we change the world. Well, according to a new survey by purewow.com, here are five characteristics that make us unique: (1) optimism: "our generation was promised big dreams and compared to subsequent generations, they largely achieved it. Thanks to factors like relatively high wages, less student debt and a high rate of home ownership, this generation is known for their hopefulness and “anything is possible” attitude." (2) hard work: we have a strong reputation for being hard workers who were/are loyal to their careers and employers. (3) Aren't afraid to quit: as an example, we have the highest divorce rate in history and the highest rate of second marriages. I don't know if this is a good or bad thing. (4) not all that conservative: we are not close-minded and resistant to ch

Today is your day Boomer! I woke up this morning to a news headline that read "Average wait time in Kelowna health clinic 122 minutes"....Boomers, that is over two hours! How long have you been waiting for hip replacement surgery? One year, 18 months? Do you have a family doctor?....many people don't. Have you witnessed Boomers in hallway beds in hospital acute care? I have. There is no doubt that we have a broken system, but finally the feds are doing something about it. In consultation with our provincial premiers, Prime Minister Trudeau announced 46 billion of new health care funding yesterday; he stated "as leaders, we've come together to deliver tangible actions and outcomes today, while building a more modern system to ensure results for all Canadians for the future." Let's hope so Boomers because which generation uses health care the most? Yup, seniors....which of course means many older Boomers....us! Fingers crossed for a better heal

Today is your day Boomer! Ready to retire Boomers? I have good news and bad news. According to a new study done by BMO, many Canadians plan to retire in their 60's and the average age goal is 62. Remember, your OAS kicks in at age 65 and you can get your CPP as early as 60. Now the bad news, most Canadians now think you will need 1.7 million dollars in investments to retire. That is up a whopping 20% since the last study two years ago. Of course, the current economic situation and high inflation are main reasons. But let's shift back to the good again. Caroline Dabu of BMO says that new number is likely too high: "certainly when we're working with clients, we find that many overestimate the number that they need to retire. It really does have to be taken at an individual level, because circumstances are very different ... But $1.7 million, I would say, is high." Hmmmm, whatever the number is, it keeps changing and I'm sure that is troubling to many

Today is your day Boomer! Do you struggle with regular tooth brushing, flossing, and dentist visits? Is this something you ignore or maybe just can't afford? Well, Boomers, not only will you suffer tooth pain.....but a new study says it also leads to brain impairment! The study looked at 40,000 adults, many of them Boomers, and spokesperson Dr. Cyprien Rivier states that "studying oral health is especially important because poor oral health happens frequently and is an easily modifiable risk factor — everyone can effectively improve their oral health with minimal time and financial investment." So, what happens to your brain? The researchers found that those who were genetically prone to poor oral health had a 24 per cent increase in white matter hyperintensities, or built up damage to the brain's white matter which can affect memory, balance and mobility. Yuck. Also....previous studies indicate elevated risks of stroke and high blood pressure! I brush three t

Today is your day Boomer! If you are a Boomer reaching Old Age Pension age, you may only have about 15 years to live! Realize this....the average age of death in Canada is low 80's, so we need to make the most of our time. Because according to poet Julie Hebert, LIFE IS SHORT: Life is short we all do know, We cannot take advantage. We need to live it, and live it well, We need not carry baggage..... We need to do the things we love, And always share a smile. We need to do all we can, To make this life worthwhile...... Do less of all the things you do, That you wish you didn't do. Do less of all the things you hate, No more feeling blue...... Don't waste more time on people, Who do not deserve it. Life is short enough without, Sharing it with those of no spirit...... Share your life with those, Who are full of energy and love. These are the type of people, Who you never want to get rid of...... Certain people will teach you wonders, Of this world and worlds above. O

Today is your day Boomer! You'll likely remember my "heart" situation....I am about 3 months removed from heart valve surgery and am in the midst of an eight week cardio physiotherapy program. You go three times a week, and working with on-location health specialists, we treadmill for 30 minutes and then do a weight-lifting, stretching circuit for 45 minutes. It is great and I see tremendous improvement in my rehab....but the one thing I will mention is that it is dominated by grey-haired men...like me. Yup, Boomer men make-up well over 80% of the candidates. So, I did some research and this is what the Government of Canada states: "men are 2 times more likely to suffer a heart attack than women, and men are newly diagnosed with heart disease about 10 years younger than women (55–64 vs 65–74 years of age)". I see those numbers in person every week....and it should be a wakeup call to Boomer males! And here is what you can do to stay "heart healthy&qu

Today is your day Boomer! Baby Boomers in Canada and the United States hold about 50% of the wealth in our two nations, so naturally business wants to know more about what we spend our money on. A recent article on the Yahoofinance website outlines our 10 biggest spending habits...and what do you think is number one? Dining out and fitness memberships are #2 and 3 respectively, but the top focus is our "house"! Yahoo says "even if baby boomers have a fully paid-off house, they still have to take care of property taxes, repairs, maintenance, etc. Across the US and Canada, property taxes are on the rise as cities scramble to fund parks, recreation,and other municipal services." Number 4 is no surprise, especially in the winter: vacations. Five is coffee...we do like our Tim's! Number 6 is gifts for family and friends. Seven is electronics: contrary to popular belief, boomers are much more tech-savvy than the stereotypes give us credit. In fact, more seniors

Today is your day Boomer! We all know what we "should do" as we Boomers age. The health experts say at least 150 minutes a week of moderate cardio exercise....like walking or biking. Plus at least two weight-lifting sessions per week, usually at a fitness centre, but what about mobility and stretching? According to CTV News, Fitness coach Andrea Tam says, "Mobility training is super important, at least to try to do 10 minutes, maybe three to five times a week. It's good for improved functioning of your joints and also for your muscles." Tam says focusing on breathing throughout the movements will allow for a deeper stretch. "With mobility training, a lot of yoga poses can also be used." Each stretch should be held for 1-2 minutes and a number of movements should focus on the hips, glutes and back, which she says will improve stability, flexibility, and can prevent injury. Boomers, want a quick four-minute video on flexibility featuring Tam? Check

Today is your day Boomer! Today is a big day in sports as the GOAT of football retired. Tom Brady, winner of seven Superbowls, finally called it quits at age 45....but that is not what this blog is really about....it is more about the movie "80 For Brady", coming to theatres this week and the four women actors. Four best friends who live life to the fullest when they embark on a wild trip to see their hero, Tom Brady, play in the 2017 Super Bowl. And you recognize their names and just realize that some of them are Boomers: Sally Field, Rita Moreno, Lily Tomlin, and Jane Fonda. But it is Brady himself who tells us why we Boomers should see this flick: "they're working hard and they love it. So good for them. You know, it’s just that’s what life is about. You got to, you know, wake up every day with a purpose. And when you find something you love to do, it’s hard to stop. You really enjoy it. And there’s a lot of aspects that you do enjoy. So they still bring it at