Gone are the days of baby oil, sun reflectors and tanning accelerators.  What’s ‘in vogue’ today is to take care of and protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. And it's never too late to start!

With the dog days of summer upon us, it is particularly important to take good care of your skin.  You don’t have to avoid the sun completely to protect yourself (that would be no fun!), but there are a number of tips that can help you achieve safer sunning.  Here are a few:

Slather your skin.  Experts recommend broad-spectrum products with SPFs of at least 15.  Apply 15-30 minutes before going outdoors and reapply regularly.

Pull out your shades. Sunglasses can help to protect your eyes from sun damage.  The ideal sunglasses don’t need to be expensive, but they should block 99-100% of UVA and UVB radiation.  Also, large-framed wraparound sunglasses are best because they protect your eyes from all angles.

Sport a hat.  A hat with at least a 3-inch brim all around is best because it protects areas often exposed to the sun, such as your neck, ears, scalp and eyes.

Cover up.  Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts, pants or long skirts as much as possible when in the sun. Tightly weaved cloth is best.

Take a sun break.  The sun’s rays are the strongest between 10 am – 3 pm.  Try not to spend a lot of time outside, unprotected, during those hours.

 Enjoy your time in the sun – just do so wisely and safely!  Your skin will thank you!  

Since it is almost June (how did that happen, anyway!?) we wanted to inform you of a really cool event coming to the Richmond area June 25-30.  More than 600 veterans with disabilities will compete in the 32nd National Veterans Wheelchair Games. The games began over 30 years ago on the campus of Richmond VA Medical Center and will return there this year.

The wheelchair athletes will compete in the following events: air guns, track and field, quad rugby, weight lifting, archery, motorized wheelchair rally, softball, slalom, basketball, bowling, nine-ball pool, swimming, handcycling, power soccer, table tennis, and trapshooting.

The event will be held at the Greater Richmond Convention Center and other venues around Richmond. The cost is free for spectators and there will be bus shuttles to venues.

To learn more information about the games, please visit the website. If you are a veteran who would like to compete, please call (804) 675-5208. To volunteer call (804) 675-5135.

Earlier this month we shared that May is Older Americans Month and this year’s theme is “Never Too Old to Play”.  Soooo, we decided to play a game of our own.  We took some time out of our busy day and had lunch together yesterday and partook in a friendly game of Apples to Apples!  We had a GREAT time (and we weren’t at all competitive…not the least little bit…ahem! ).  We promised to let you know who won the game.  Drumroll, please…..And the winner of SeniorNavigator’s 2012 “Never Too Old to Play Challenge” is ERIKA!!!  (She is seriously a master of this game!)

While we were all together, we compiled a list of our all-time favorite games.  What’s your favorite game?

1.     Monopoly

2.     Scrabble

3.     Apples to Apples

4.     Scattergories

5.   Dominoes

6.     Quirkle

In the cold winter months, our meals often revolve around warm, comfort foods -- they do in my house, anyway!  While those are certainly delicous foods, in the spring and summer often our tastebuds want something a little lighter…a little cooler… a little more ‘summery’.  In honor of National Salad Month (bet you didn’t know that!) below is a recipe for an absolutely delightful salad.  I actually made it myself!  Quite easy to prepare and very tasty. This one's going in the recipe book, for sure!  The salad is chock full of lean protein, fruit and greens – healthy and satisfies that want for a light, refreshing meal.  Warm, crusty bread is a wonderful accompaniment.  Bon Apetit!

Grilled Chicken Salad with Seasonal Fruit (as seen on www.allrecipes.com)

Ingredients

• 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 1/2 cup pecans
• 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 onion, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground mustard
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
• 2 heads Bibb lettuce - rinsed, dried and torn  (Note:  I used Spring Mix Greens)
• 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries

Directions

1.     Preheat the grill for high heat.

2.     Lightly oil the grill grate. Grill chicken 8 minutes on each side, or until juices run clear. Remove from heat, cool, and slice.

3.     Meanwhile, place pecans in a dry skillet over medium-high heat. Cook pecans until fragrant, stirring frequently, about 8  minutes. Remove from heat, and set aside.

4.     In a blender, combine the red wine vinegar, sugar, vegetable oil, onion, mustard, salt, and pepper. Process until smooth.

5.     Arrange lettuce on serving plates. Top with grilled chicken slices, strawberries, and pecans. Drizzle with the dressing to serve.

Mother’s Day.  Truly a special day of the year for all mothers and mother figures. As “Mommy” to two little ones, my Mother’s Day will be filled with handmade cards, pancakes ‘made’ by my sweet tots, and lots of butterfly kisses.  Being a mother now, I truly recognize just how special Mother’s Day is and what it signifies.  It is only now that I can fully appreciate the love my mom has for me – a love that only grows stronger with each passing year.

I will often, randomly, tell my children, “Mommy loves you both!”  My daughter is too young to say anything in return, but she coos and giggles in her sweet baby way. My nearly 4-year-old son always, without fail, excitedly answers “Love you too Momma!” (Music to my ears.)  But, last night I got a different response that literally hurt my heart.  He said, “Don’t say that to me right now, Momma.  It’s bothering me.”  Talk about absolutely crushing my spirit.  I know he didn’t mean it, but it did make me stop, think and reflect.  I am sure that at some point during my childhood years, I probably said something just as hurtful to my own mom.  As an adult and mother, it saddens me to know she felt exactly as I did last night.

Some time ago, I stumbled upon a poem written from an adult child to his/her mother.  With this being Mother's Day weekend, I thought it appropriate to share. 

Mother
If I could give you diamonds
for each tear you cried for me.
if I could give you sapphires
for each truth you've helped me see.
If I could give you rubies
for the heartache that you've known
If I could give you pearls
for the wisdom that you've shown.
Then you'll have a treasure, mother,
that would mount up to the skies
That would almost match
the sparkle in your kind and loving eyes.
But I have no pearls, no diamonds,
As I'm sure you're well aware
So I'll give you gifts more precious
My devotion, love and care.
- Author Unknown 

When I first read these words, I can remember tears welling in my eyes and feeling that it beautifully summed up what the love between a mother and child is all about.  Devotion, love and care.  At first it is the mother provding these to her child, but then that child grows up and returns the favor.  This poem spoke to me and made me think of what I, as an adult daughter, give my mother each and every day.  My mom is my role model – a most caring, loyal, vibrant woman.  Full of life, energy and lots of laughs.  I know, however, there will come a time as she grows older that she’ll need me in a way she has never needed me before.  When that time comes, I will be honored to help and care for her and my promise to her is this…I will always give her the of the devotion, love and care she has provided me throughout the years.  With any difficult decisions that will need to be made, I will always keep these three words in the forefront of my mind and they will serve as my guiding light and principle.  

Happy Mother’s Day to all of you moms, grandmas, great grandmas, foster moms, and stepmoms.  Enjoy YOUR special day!!! 

Here is some information about a film festival coming to the Richmond area next week.  We thought you might be interested in learning more and checking out some of the films -- they sound truly amazing!

The Weinstein JCC and the Saul Schottenstein Foundation B are proud to partner with the Richmond Community to bring the ReelAbilities: NY Disabilities Film Festival program to Richmond during the week of May 14-21, 2012. The Weinstein JCC was chosen to host this important and very meaningful endeavor and was given a grant to make it happen by the Saul Schottenstein Foundation B.

ReelAbilities is a film festival that presents award-winning films that celebrate the diversity of our shared human experience. These films are accompanied by discussions and other engaging programs in an effort to promote awareness and appreciation of the lives and stories of people with disabilities.

Click here to view the week's film schedule.

Caregiving for a loved one certainly can be a most rewarding experience; many would call it a honor and privilege.  But for as wonderful as it can be, caregiving can also take a toll on a caregiver’s mind, body and spirit.  Here are some of our favorite tips for reducing caregiver stress: 

·        Get your Zzzzz’s.  Try to get enough sleep and rest.  This is incredibly important to feeling refreshed and rejuvenated each morning.

·        Eat an apple (or banana, or carrot!) a day.  Be sure to eat a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains and low in saturated fat. Ask your health care provider about taking a multivitamin as well.

·        Take a break.  The dictionary defines respite as 'a delay or cessation for a time, especially of anything distressing or trying; an interval of relief'.  Planning for regular respite is part of taking care of yourself.

·        Get movin'.  Find time for some exercise most days of the week. Regular exercise can help reduce stress and improve your health in many ways.

·        Make an appointment with the doc.  See your health care provider for a checkup. Talk to your provider about symptoms of depression or illness that you may be having. Get counseling if needed.

·        Stay connected.  Keep in touch with friends and other family members. Social activities can help keep you feeling connected and are very therapeutic.

·        Have a good chat. Find a support group for other caregivers in your situation (such as caring for a person with dementia). Many support groups are available online through the Internet.

Don't you remember when you were a little tike and would play for hours on end?  Dolls, trucks, blocks, or the infamous 'good guy/bad guy' game -- it didn't matter as long as we were playing!!!  As adults, we don't often get the opportunity to be a kid and just play, do we?  (Why is that, anyway?)  Well, folks, this month you have an excuse to play.  May is Older Americans Month and this year's theme is 'You're Never Too Old to Play!'

So, we give you permission, not just this month, but any month to PLAY!  Host a game night with friends and family, go for a leisurely walk, take a cooking class, color in a coloring book, plant an herb garden...it's all about playing and having fun this month! 

ENJOY!!!

PS:  Stay tuned, SeniorNavigator staff will be partaking in a friendly game of 'Apples to Apples' this month!  We'll let you know who wins...