“Professional Intimate Relationships” form the fabric of your life. Think of the long-term colleagues you’ve worked with who have shared your vision for life and have helped you maintain a positive outlook throughout your working years. Retirement shouldn’t bring an end to all of these energizing professional relationships – the ones that boost you up and trigger your creative juices.  But in order to transfer these relationships across the many careers and stages of your life, you need to cultivate them from pure business contacts to Professional Intimate Relationships, or PIRs.

One way to raise the relationship status from mere boardroom partners to PIRs is to really get to know your colleagues.  Find out what their interests are and use shared interests to bond outside of the office.   To get to know someone, you must really listen to what they are saying. This means listening with your whole self. Put aside the cell phone, turn off the to-do list scrolling in your head, and offer what Stephen Covey calls “psychological air.” An agenda-less presence demonstrates, in the words of Aretha Franklin, R-E-S-P-E-C-T. It’s something everyone craves — and by consistently showing that you value your colleagues’ insights and care about their unique needs, you can satisfy that hunger and move from co-workers to friends.

Developing a friendship outside the office walls is the first step to weaving the fabric of relationships that form your support system. Like threading the needle, this new relationship will guide you into a deepening trust. Now, you must hand tend this budding relationship. The soul-to-soul listening will help you get to know the person well. Remember, building a relationship is in the details. Knowing a person’s favorite football team is just as important to the relationship as knowing his or her career title. Keep a calendar for birthdays and anniversaries and be sure to celebrate together!

Once you have developed a solid foundation, it’s time to start tying your paths together. Look for opportunities that you think may be of interest to your potential PIR. If your PIR is a golfer and you find out about an opening in your charity golf league, by all means recommend for him or her to join. Find ways to work together outside of the office, even if it is not on a business topic.  By truly listening to your PIRs, you will know their hopes and dreams and be able to assist them in turning their dreams into reality should the opportunity arise.

Drawing your PIRs into your vision for life and creating shared, long-term goals will create lasting relationships.  Share your passionate abstraction with your colleagues and find out what makes them tick. Be each other’s sounding boards and assist each other in creating a new vision for life – a vision that will extend well beyond retirement. The tapestry you weave together with the people and experiences you create is the masterpiece of your life and will buoy you in the decades to come.

One of the most versatile of winter’s fruits (not vegetables), butternut squash is a close cousin to the pumpkin. In fact, it’s known as the butternut pumpkin in New Zealand and Australia. This nutty and sweet squash has yellow skin that deepens toward orange as it ripens, and fleshy orange pulp.

Like most types of squash, butternut makes a healthy addition to your diet. Loaded with vitamins A and E, it also serves as a good source of vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and fiber. And unlike some “grin-and-bear-it” health foods, butternut squash also tastes great.

There are a myriad of ways to prepare butternut squash, either by itself or in hundreds of recipes ranging from simple soups to elaborate entrees.

Proper preparation

The first step in preparing butternut squash is to remove the stem and seeds. The stem is the obvious part—simply core it out, or slice off the top of the gourd. For seed removal, the usual technique is to split the fruit in half lengthwise, and then scoop the seeds and stringy “guts” from the center cavity with a spoon.

If the squash will be diced, sliced, or pureed for a recipe, the next step is to remove the skin. A paring knife or vegetable peeler will do the trick, as the skin of a butternut squash isn’t terribly thick.

Roasted, toasted, and ready to eat

The easiest and most common way to prepare and eat butternut squash is to roast it. The fruit doesn’t even have to be peeled. Once you slice the squash in half and remove the seeds, just brush with vegetable oil, place it cut-side down on a baking tray, and cook in a 350-degree oven for about 45 minutes. You can bake it plain, or for added flavor, try stuffing the cavity with spinach and feta cheese, or dusting the squash with sugar and cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin pie spice.

There are a number of simple side dishes you can cook up with butternut squash. Prepare and peel the fruit, and then slice and pan-fry. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to serve with dinner, or toss in cinnamon and sugar for a sweet dessert. You can also cut it into strips and fry it in a few inches of oil to make butternut squash fries.

Consider tossing diced butternut squash together with fresh green peppers, onions, and mushrooms into a tomato sauce for a chunky, garden-style pasta topper.

Other ways to use butternut squash

In pretty much any recipe, pumpkin can be substituted with butternut squash. For example, you can clean, roast, and salt butternut squash seeds for a tasty, healthy snack.

Recipe exchange is as simple as using the same amount of cubed or pureed butternut squash as the recipe calls for pumpkin. Try swapping out pumpkin for butternut squash in your favorite pumpkin pie recipe for a fun, flavorful holiday dish, or bake a fragrant loaf of butternut squash bread.

You can even carve a butternut squash-o’-lantern for Halloween, in much the same way you’d carve a pumpkin. How fun is that?

Scrumptious squash recipes

The sweet, mellow flavor of butternut squash makes it perfect for soup and pasta dishes. Here are a few of our favorite recipes:

Classic Butternut Squash Soup

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/1975

Butternut and Apple Harvest Soup

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Butternut-and-Apple-Harvest-Soup/Detail.aspx

Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Roasted-Butternut-Squash-Risotto-105725

Butternut Squash Casserole

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/butternut-squash-casserole-2/detail.aspx

Roasted Butternut Squash Ravioli

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/roasted-butternut-squash-ravioli-with-a-sage-brown-butter-sauce-recipe/index.html

Caramelized Butternut Squash

http://www.food.com/recipe/caramelized-butternut-squash-106627

Cinnamon Butternut Squash Muffins

http://www.5dollardinners.com/2009/09/cinnamon-butternut-squash-muffins.html

What are some of your favorite butternut squash dishes? We’d love to hear your tasty tips and inspired culinary ideas.

February is the official month of love.  Most of us take time this month to show special affection and attention to our closest loved ones. This year, I propose that you consciously love not just the people around you, but also yourself.  In the scientific community, happiness with yourself is described with many terms, including sense of well being, positive affect, and of course, simply happiness, which psychologically seems to be closely tied to satisfaction with yourself.  Regardless of the terms used, the scientific data leans heavily towards a positive association between your sense of well-being and your health, and even your longevity.  Last year, in a study of twins, it was once again concluded that sense of well-being, independent of lifestyle choices and genetics, led to a longer life.  People that are happy with themselves live longer.  Beyond confirming this association, scientists have also studied several scenarios that improve your sense of well-being.  Below is just a sampling of proven methods to promote your self-love and appreciation, so that you can live a healthier, happier, and longer life.

Many studies focus on goal setting and its association with mood and happiness.  Although in the wellness industry we often serve to help patients set and achieve goals, goal setting must be conscientiously done in a constructive way.  In this manner, setting and attaining goals has a positive impact on your sense of well-being.  However, there is a phenomenon called “conditional goal setting” in which commitment towards an important goal results in the expectation that happiness will be associated with the attainment of that goal.  Conditional goal setting has been identified as a significant factor in the development and maintenance of depression.  In other words, if you associate happiness with the attainment of a goal (i.e., “If only I could lose this 30 pounds, I would be happy”), you are more likely to not have a good sense of well-being.  Imagine if you consciously change that thought to “I am making positive changes to my lifestyle and this makes me happy.”  With this change in your thought patterns you can start to improve your mood and self-satisfaction immediately, instead of having to wait for the day that your scale reads 30 pounds lighter.  Additionally, if you don’t lose all of the weight, you haven’t subconsciously condemned yourself to a life without happiness.  This “mindful” change of thought, as it is technically known, can be applied to nearly every caveat of your life, from fitness to health to satisfaction with work.  Take a moment to list your goals, and consider if you have made achieving them conditional to your happiness.  If so, make a second list, and mindfully change those goals into positive, attainable processes as opposed to end-goals, and you should immediately feel an improved sense of well-being.

On a larger scale, mindful thoughts to enhance your self-worth should include cultivating your sense of purpose.  Having a sense of purpose in your life is directly related to a positive sense of well-being.  What many of us forget is that we get to define our own sense of purpose.  Occasionally, we are caught off-guard when it seems that others alter that purpose (i.e., with the loss of a job or when the kids leave home).  To recover a sense of purpose, you might have to re-define it.  The key is to remember that it is yours to define. Perhaps your current purpose will be as simple as growing a garden, volunteering, or doing projects around your house.  Even if you can’t currently define your “life’s purpose,” get moving, and an improved mood and sense of well-being will follow.

Beyond positive thoughts and mindfulness, there are a myriad of nutrients, dietary, and lifestyle changes that have proven to be relatively easy ways to improve your affect and self-satisfaction.  You had to suspect that exercise would make an appearance in this article, but did you know that studies have shown that exercise can be just as effective as prescription anti-depressants in improving your mood and outlook?  “Feel good” chemicals in the body called endorphins, which are released during exercise, make you feel successful and engaged and, you guessed it, give you a sense of well-being.  In smaller studies regarding exercise, the mode and intensity needed to gain these effects seems to vary.  Benefits have been seen with small additions of cardiovascular, anaerobic, and even lower impact yoga.  Just get moving.
Nutrients that improve mood and happiness are the very same ones that help with so many of the systems of the body, and therefore play a starring role in many of these articles.  The omegas in both fish oil and ground flax seeds have been shown to improve mood and decrease depression (1200-1500mg EPA and DHA per day).  Likewise, those with low, or even low-normal Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D report higher rates of depression and disturbed mood.  Vitamin B12, used sublingually or by injection (usually 500-1000mcg sublingually, or weekly to monthly by injection) can lead to improved affect for many of us.  Vitamin D in the form of cholecalciferol (D3), at around 1000-2000IU per day (but often prescribed at even higher doses), has also shown to be effective in promoting happiness.

Finally, another proven way to improve your self-love and support your sense of well-being is to love and appreciate others.  In 2010, Harvard Women’s Health showed that strong connections to others positively influence your health and length of life.  Beyond a strong relationship to your loved ones, it has also been shown that those with altruistic behaviors and emotions are also happier with their own lives.  This altruistic behavior can range from overt actions to help others to simply having positive thoughts regarding others.  There is a caveat to this method of promoting well-being, however, in that an inverse relationship is noted with altruistic behavior that includes overwhelming tasks.  In other words, to improve your own self-worth and happiness, give what you can, help where you can, and have positive regard for others, as long as these tasks don’t cause you undue stress.

This Valentine’s Day, I encourage you to love and appreciate yourself, to improve not only your outlook, but also your spiritual and physical health.  Take these steps to improve your sense of well-being, and you will have many more Valentine’s Days in your future.

Take Care & Be Healthy,

Dr. Amy Whittington

Here’s a sampling of our February events calendar at Encanterra Country Club:

February 5: The Big XLVI Game – Wear a jersey and cheer on your favorite team!

February 9: Gentlemen’s Interclub – Gentlemen’s Interclub is a friendly competition between Encanterra and various private facilities in the East Valley.

February 12: 2012 Cooking Class Series –  Learn how to throw a Spanish Tapas party in your home!

February 14: Valentine’s Night Dinner at Bisto 1528 – Chef Brandon Smith has put together a wonderfully delicious menu and the musical group, the Melody Roberts Duo will be there playing some sweet tunes.

February 15: Ladies’ Taste of Alvea Spa Party – Guests will enjoy mini spa treatments such as an aromatherapy foot scrub, eyebrow shaping/waxing, facial analysis, Alvea massage, hand treatments, and chocolate readings.

February 18: Club Championship: The Club Championship is 18 hole stroke play with a shotgun start, flights will be determined by handicaps then event up in the flight.

February 24: Italian Speranza Ceramics Class – During this exciting class Daneen Voorhies, owner of Pottery Hut, will guide members in painting a pitcher with a unique Italian Speranza design made specifically for Encanterra Members.

We look forward to having you join us for exciting events such as these, when you become a new neighbor here at Encanterra. Isn’t it time you started Loving Where You Live?

“You are what you eat,” the old saying goes. That may not be technically true, but your diet definitely affects your body—and your brain. Certain foods are high on the brain-friendly scale, triggering positive effects like improving thought clarity, enhancing memory, and boosting brain power.

How wholegrain foods help out

Not only are wholegrain products a better nutritional choice than their starchier alternatives, they also help improve your recollection. Foods like wholegrain cereal, wheat bran, wheat germ, and whole-wheat pasta contain hefty amounts of vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and folic acid—all nutrients that nurture your gray matter. Studies have shown that women who take these vitamins and minerals in supplemental form have an easier time recalling information.

The power of proteins

Some protein-rich foods provide both short- and long-term benefits for the brain. If you’ve ever browsed a shelf of health supplements, chances are you’ve seen big bottles of something called omega-3 among them. This essential fatty acid is critical to nervous system health. Without enough omega-3, you could be at a higher risk of developing memory loss or Alzheimer’s disease.

Omega-3 occurs naturally in oily fish like sardines, anchovies, herrings, mackeral, trout, and salmon, all of which are readily available in any grocery store. Not fond of the taste of fish? You can get the same benefits by taking omega-3 supplements or nutritional oils such as fish oil, walnut oil, and flaxseed.

For short-term brain benefits, consider including protein in your breakfast. An early dose can help your mind function with greater clarity throughout the day. A few easy protein-rich breakfast foods are eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, and wholegrain cereal.  You can also add a dose of protein powder to milk, or hot cereal like oatmeal or grits.

Brain-friendly fruits and veggies

You’ve always known that fruits and vegetables are good for you, but did you know they can make you smarter? Nearly every type of food in this category contains decent amounts of antioxidants, which not only boost overall health, but can also help prevent free radical damage to your brain—a condition that leads to dementia and Alzheimer’s.

While they’re all a healthy choice, certain fruits and vegetables act as superfoods for your brain. These include:

Blueberries. In addition to being the second most antioxidant-rich berry, blueberries can serve to strengthen short-term memory.

Tomatoes. This is another food flush with antioxidants, particularly lycopene, which is one of the most powerful. There is strong evidence to suggest that tomatoes reduce the risk of dementia.

Blackcurrent. These tasty British berries top the list in antioxidant levels and also contain high amounts of vitamin C, a nutrient that increases mental agility.

Broccoli. Whether it’s fresh, frozen, or steamed, broccoli is one of the few foods that represents an excellent source of vitamin K, which is proven to improve perception, memory, and other cognitive thought processes.

Eat like a squirrel

Many nuts and seeds can provide brain enhancements, while serving as a healthy source of protein in your diet. Nuts are packed with vitamin E, which has been shown to boost memory. Additionally, most types of nuts and seeds function as mood stabilizers and help protect against dementia.

With the wide variety of nuts out there, you’ll be sure to find a few you enjoy. In addition to the standard peanut (which is a legume, but still high in protein and vitamin E), consider cashews, macadamia nuts, almonds, pine nuts, walnuts, and even coconut, which has the added benefit of being rich in healthy fatty acid.

Pumpkin seeds are a standout in the seed category. One serving contains the full recommended daily amount (RDA) of zinc, which improves thinking skills and enhances memory.

Which of these brain-boosting foods have you tried? Have you noticed an increase in brain power by including them in your diet?

Why Ski Here? Millions flock to Colorado every year to enjoy the pristine snow and winter sports in the Rocky Mountains.  Aspen, Vail, and Telluride are known the world over as top-notch ski resorts.  But, where do Coloradoans ski? The answer is Winter Park Resort. With an average of 29 feet of annual snowfall, powder lovers can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing amidst breath-taking views. Since it’s the closest Colorado ski destination from Denver International Airport, it’s a popular choice for those flying in for a ski holiday, as well.

Where to Eat: The dining options in Winter Park Village offer satisfying fare for the snow-wearied skier. A local favorite is the Cheeky Monk Belgian Beer Café.  Here diners can enjoy comfort food with creative consideration while taking in the magnificent views of Parry Peak on the restaurant’s spacious patio. If you’re in the mood for finer dining, you’ll find just the thing to satisfy your après-ski cravings at Fontenot’s Gourmet Seafood Restaurant. Reservations are strongly suggested to experience the unique combination of high-end dining with a nod towards New Orleans.  Without a doubt, the don’t-miss dining establishment in Winter Park is the Lodge at Sunspot, perched high atop the mountain and accessible only by gondola.  Reservations are required to relish the 5-course dinner of “authentic Colorado cuisine” served only on Friday and Saturday nights.

Where to Sleep: Winter Park Resort has a handful of slope side lodges located just steps from the lifts in one direction and shopping and dining in the other. Families and groups will be comfortable staying at the Fraser Crossing and Founders Pointe properties, which offer guests the option of up to three bedroom suites. The Zephyr Mountain Lodge is the closest property to both the lifts and the shops of Winter Park Resort village. Ski-in/ski-out options add to the convenience of this beautiful complex. If you’d prefer to venture out of the “Village,” Woodspur Lodge will reward you with incredible views, a communal cocktail lounge, and a library.  You’ll also enjoy full breakfast and dinner service included in your basic rate.

Mount Bachelor
Bend, Oregon

Why Ski Here?  Nearly 3,700 acres of terrain surround the treeless, conical summit of Mount Bachelor, considered by many to be the finest ski peak in the Northwest.  Only 20 minutes from Bend and Sunriver, Mt. Bachelor is famous for its deep, dry powder, which makes it just as appealing to Olympic hopefuls as it is to families seeking winter fun. There’s room for every interest and ability on this mountain, which is served by a network of ten lifts, seven of which are high-speed quads.  Snowshoeing tours, sled dog rides and Nordic skiing are also offered on site.

Where to Eat: Fuel up for a full day on the slopes at McKay Cottage Restaurant, where the aroma of warm muffins, homemade scones, cinnamon rolls and pecan sticky buns greet you at the door.  If you’re craving pizza for a mid-day pick-me-up, Pisano’s Pizzeria offers a little slice of New York-style heaven on a plate.  Countless reviewers, including native New Yorkers, have called owner Ed’s pies the “best pizza ever.”  To top off your time in Bend with a special dining experience, reserve a table in the cozy, craftsman-style bungalow that houses Ariana’s Restaurant.  This fine-dining bistro is chef owned and operated with an emphasis on seasonal, organic, and sustainable practices.  Delicious dishes, an intimate atmosphere, and exceptional service make Ariana’s one of the most highly rated restaurants in Bend.

Where to Sleep:  To experience all that the charming town of Bend has to offer, the location of the Oxford Hotel can’t be beat.  Guests will enjoy lush accommodations and generous amenities in this gorgeously designed, eco-friendly, pet-friendly boutique hotel.  For an out-of-the-ordinary lodging experience, reviewers rave about McMenamin’s Old St. Francis, a former Catholic school re-imagined as a quirky and comfortable hotel.  Before you retire to one of 19 richly appointed guestrooms (formerly classrooms), you can spend an entertaining evening in the attached movie theater, which offers at-your-seat drinks and dinner service.

Blue Mountain Ski Resort
Blue Mountain, Ontario

Why Ski Here? While it isn’t news for powder-loving Canadians, most Americans are just being turned on to the incredible ski destinations that lie north of the lower 48. Blue Mountain Ski Resort in Ontario is just one example of a well-kept Canadian secret slope. Avid skiers can be assured of consistent quality runs because Blue Mountain uses the largest snowmaking operation in Canada. With 251 skiable acres, this is no small operation. There are 36 runs ranging from beginner level to extremely advanced. Twenty-five runs are lit and can be skied at night. In addition to world-class skiing, you can enjoy a number of winter activities at Blue Mountain, including horse-drawn sleigh rides and guided winter caving tours.

Where to Eat: Blue Mountain offers a tasty array of dining experiences just minutes (or even seconds) from the slopes. Grab a table on the patio of Copper Blues Bar and Grill to watch your friends and family swoosh down the mountain while you sip a Coppertini and munch on mouthwatering appetizers.  If you can tear yourself away from a morning of incredible skiing, the Sunday brunch will make it worth your while. Tholos Restaurant, also located in the Blue Mountain Village Center, transports guests from the snow and ice of Ontario to a Mediterranean island, with authentic Greek décor and delicacies. For a more laid-back dining experience, pull up a chair at Windy O’Neill’s Irish Pub, offering hearty fare and genuine Irish hospitality to warm you up after a chilly day on the chairlifts.

Where to Sleep: Hundreds of condos are available within Blue Mountain Village or just a short shuttle ride from the mountain, and aside from peak weekends (like the holidays, which we’ve just past), there are definitely deals to be found.  Check out the Blue Mountain Lodging website to start your condo hunt.  For those who appreciate some pampering at the end of a long day of skiing, the Westin Trillium House offers everything you need to relax and rejuvenate.  Each room is equipped with an opulent terrace and gas-burning fireplace to help you unwind.  Book an in-room spa experience to get your achy muscles ready for round two on the slopes.

Click here to discover four more fabulous mountain getaways.

If you or your partner snores, you should consider getting checked for the possibility of sleep apnea. Affecting millions of people, this widespread sleep disorder can have serious ramifications—and can even be life-threatening.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. These “hiccups” can go on for at least 10 seconds, often triggering a steep drop in the blood’s oxygen levels. Some sleep apnea sufferers also experience shallow breathing along with (or instead of) the cessations in breathing. Either way, these episodes can happen 20 or more times per hour.

There are two types of sleep apnea. In the most common, obstructive sleep apnea, the throat’s channels become constricted and temporarily block airflow. With central sleep apnea, which occurs less frequently, centers in the brain fail to transmit the appropriate signals for breathing. A small number of people have complex sleep apnea, a combination of the two, but this is the rarest form of the condition.

Sleep apnea signs and symptoms

Those with sleep apnea rarely notice their own sleeping habits, but there are other recognizable symptoms. The condition typically causes daytime drowsiness, memory problems, anxiety, irritability, recurring headaches, trouble focusing, and difficulty staying asleep at night. This multitude of side effects greatly increases the risk of vehicular collisions, work-related accidents and errors, and a number of secondary medical problems. Even if you don’t notice daytime symptoms, your loved ones may notice that you snore loudly, or that your breathing is interrupted during sleep.

How is sleep apnea diagnosed?

Unfortunately, sleep apnea is often overlooked, and there’s no easy way for a doctor to note the symptoms. If you notice any of the above symptoms, or if you wake in the middle of the night feeling short of breath, it’s important to mention it to your doctor and to request a test for sleep apnea.

Testing is usually conducted at a sleep disorder center, where you’ll be observed overnight. You may be hooked up to a nocturnal polysomnograph that monitors heart rate, lung and brain activity, and your breathing patterns as you sleep. Another test can be done at home with a portable monitoring device, but clinic tests are generally more accurate and effective.

If you have obstructive sleep apnea, you might be referred to an ear, nose, and throat specialist. Sufferers of central sleep apnea may be directed to consult a cardiologist or neurologist to analyze their condition.

Sleep apnea treatment

Not everyone who snores or wakes during the night has sleep apnea—but if you do discover that you have it, there are numerous options. In mild cases, doctors may recommend losing weight, giving up smoking, or changing sleep positions. More severe cases generally respond well to continuous positive airway pressure or CPAP, a device that delivers air pressure to the throat’s pathways during the night to prevent obstruction. Some people opt for dental appliances or surgery to prevent further sleep problems and complications.

Whatever the severity or frequency of your symptoms, always consult with your doctor if you suspect that you or a loved one may be experiencing sleep apnea. There’s no reason to continue suffering through this inconvenient and potentially life-threatening disorder when there are a number of safe, effective treatment options.

Thank you to all of our generous Trilogy members!

Trilogy at Vistancia
Citrus Picking for St. Mary’s Food Bank
St. Mary’s Food Bank is seeking volunteers to pick oranges and grapefruits in west side residential areas from January through March. The fruit that is picked will be distributed to needy residents in the greater Phoenix area.  Because there is so much fruit available in this area, St. Mary’s has the opportunity to trade excess citrus fruit with other food banks for food that is needed in our area.  For example, Arizona may trade excess citrus for potatoes that were picked in Idaho.

Last year, the volunteers from Trilogy picked 39,770 pounds of citrus from a total of 144 trees.  In 2012, we want to beat those figures! Join us to help with this community service project.  We are scheduled to pick on Tuesday afternoons from January through March of 2012.  The time commitment would be 3 to 4 hours per event.  You do not need to be available every week; we will pick the number of properties we are able to pick based on the number of volunteers available each week.  St Mary’s provides all of the equipment. Trilogy members would simply provide a group of volunteers (known as gleaners).

Citrus picking is fun!  It’s outdoors; it’s physical without being strenuous; it’s social without being a party; and you will be providing an essential service.  There are many aspects of fruit picking that are suited to different physical capabilities.  Even if you can just walk around and pick fruit up off the ground, you can contribute to the fruit-picking crew.

If you’re a member of Trilogy at Vistancia, please click here for more details on this volunteer opportunity.

Trilogy Rio Vista
Party Hearty Zumba Fundraiser
Put on your sneakers and dance your heart out for a great cause!  Allison Harris, personal trainer and fitness instructor at Trilogy Rio Vista, is planning the second annual Party Hearty Zumba Fundraiser for the American Heart Association, in cooperation with the Go Red For Women Campaign.

Women’s awareness of heart health is very important to Allison because she is a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, a personal trainer, a fitness instructor, and a heart attack survivor.  She has always been athletic, never smoked, was never overweight, always ate healthily, saw her physician annually, never had high cholesterol, wasn’t over 50 years old, and had never had any symptoms of heart problems.  She had, by all guidelines, 0% chance of having a heart attack – and yet, she had one at the age of 44.  After having 9-way bypass surgery and regaining her health through rehab, Allison is ready to give back and educate others about the importance of heart health.

Last year, nearly 200 people attended this event, and the goal this year is to have 300 people participate in the Zumba for Your Heart Fundraiser.  Allison will be in attendance to educate and inspire people – particularly women – to understand the signs and symptoms of a heart attack.

This is a free event, though donations to the American Heart Association are greatly appreciated.  Party Hearty is open to the public and will include raffle prizes, a silent auction, healthy food demos, and more!

If you have any questions, please contact Allison Harris, whose contact information can be found on the Vista Spa and Fitness page of MyTrilogyLife.com.

Trilogy at Monarch Dunes
Sweetheart Ball
On Saturday, February 11th, members of Trilogy at Monarch Dunes will open their hearts and ease the hurts of women and children in the Santa Maria Domestic Violence Solutions shelter by attending the Sweetheart Ball.

Members and their sweethearts (or good friends) are invited to join with the Trilogy Service Club in raising funds for the support of this life-saving organization.  The Sweetheart Ball includes a cocktail hour with a silent auction, an elegant Cornish game hen dinner, including wine, champagne, and chocolate-covered strawberries, and a night of dancing to the music of Sound Investment.  The cost is $65 per person, with checks made payable to the Trilogy Service Club.

A wonderful time will be had by all – and proceeds from this event will provide a security system for the shelter.

If you are a member of Trilogy at Monarch Dunes, please see the Events page of MyTrilogyLife.com for full event details.

Trilogy Orlando
Volunteering at South Lake Hospital
Trilogy Orlando members Bev and Paul Cowhey have been volunteers at South Lake Hospital in Clermont, Florida for nearly six years, generously donating 4.5 hours of their time each Wednesday morning.  The hospital has recently completed an expansion and is in need of more volunteers to make the patient experience as smooth and pleasant as possible.

There are many areas of the hospital in need of volunteers, and there are many ways in which volunteers can make a difference.  Bev, for example, works in the Mammography Department of the Women’s Center.  She brings ladies to the dressing rooms to prepare them for their mammograms and then takes them to the exam rooms.  She also assists at the front desk as needed.  Paul works in the Emergency Department, helping to distribute the mail and completing other tasks as they arise.

The requirement for this volunteer opportunity is only 4 to 5 hours per week, so you can work as little or as much as you’d like.

Bev and Paul – as well as several other members of the Trilogy Orlando community – find volunteering at South Lake Hospital to be very rewarding. The hospital is so appreciative of all of their volunteers and the staff always takes the time to thank them for their help.

Anyone interested in volunteering can call Mary Ellen Tucker at South Lake Hospital.  She can be reached at 394-4071, ext. 8206.

Thank you again to all of our generous Trilogy members!

Yes, that is German if you’re curious! You may not have even known, but these decorative lawn ornaments have a deep history rooted in German culture. Interestingly enough, there’s much controversy over who the first garden gnome producer actually was, but it’s been reported that Philipp Griebel was the first to make a ceramic version of the garden gnome in the middle of the nineteenth century.  His factory was in Gradfenroda, a town in Thuringia, Germany. The garden gnome phenomena rapidly spread across Germany and other European cities. The industry was hit hard during World War II, because Communist police believed the statues were conduits for smugglers. However, the garden gnome overcame the hardships of the time, eventually becoming the leading export in Eastern Germany.

The idea of the mystical gnomes we know today first appeared in European literature as chthonic spirits that would come alive at night to reward workers for their good behavior. They’d work in famers’ fields and merchants’ shops to help lighten the workload. Sometimes they were even depicted as guards who’d protect mines or prized possessions, and some people believed in their ability to ward off thieves from stealing grains and vegetables. Now, it’s no wonder why people would choose to display these protective creatures in their treasured gardens.

Fun Gnome Facts:

• Lawn gnomes only become “active” at night helping you maintain your garden.
• Gnomes kiss by rubbing noses, a greeting equivalent to human handshaking.
• Gnomes have a life expectancy of 400 years.
• Male gnomes can be identified by their red caps.
• Gnomes are peaceful creatures whose main enemies – besides the slow-witted troll – are humans who destroy the natural environment.

Click this link for even more fun facts about gnomes.

Do you have any interesting garden gnomes at your house? How big is your collection?

If you haven’t tried an eReader yet, it may be time to give the small screen a shot. With their easy readability, effortless portability, and bargain pricing (as compared to print books), even the most diehard paper purists can appreciate the benefits of these simple, practical reading devices.

What’s an eReader, anyway?

An eReader, or eBook reader, is a device that stores and displays books in digital or text form. The typical eReader can store hundreds of books and allows for easy, instant accessibility with the flick of a finger.

Lightweight, portable, and easy to use—even for readers who aren’t particularly tech-savvy—eReaders are quickly making inroads into the modern literary population. Designed to ensure clear display in any level of light, they’re a smart choice for anyone who loves to read but doesn’t want to carry around books or portable lighting.

Advantages of going digital

We’ve already mentioned a few of the cool things about eReaders, but here’s a more comprehensive list of reasons you may want to consider digitizing your library:

No light required: Want to get in another chapter before drifting off to sleep, but don’t want to disturb your partner by turning on the lamp? Illuminated eReader screens are easy to see in any level of light.

Lightweight and portable: If you’re tired of lugging around books, an eReader provides a convenient solution especially when traveling. Smaller than a paperback and about the same weight, they won’t bog you down as you make your way through your busy day or through the airport. Best of all, you can carry around your entire literary collection without adding a single ounce to your handbag or briefcase.

Unlimited titles: No more driving to and from the bookstore or library—now you can browse millions of books and download them right to your handheld device. Instant gratification at its finest!

Easy on the wallet: Although you’ll have to invest a bit of money up-front to purchase the actual device, eBooks themselves are generally much less expensive than their print counterparts, starting at $0.99 and up.  Best of all, over 2 million classics and other works are available for free in eBook format.  And most libraries offer eBooks on loan for free.

Choosing a new eReader

Today’s most popular eReaders include the Amazon Kindle, the Kobo, Barnes & Noble’s Nook, and the Sony Reader, each of which offers a user-friendly interface and a variety of tools for downloading, accessing, and reading books.

Amazon Kindle – The three generations of Amazon Kindle range in price from $79 – $149, offering touch-screen capabilities, 14 days of book lending, up to 2 months of battery life, an optional keyboard, and up to 4GB of memory (holds 3,500 books).

Barnes & Noble Nook – Priced at $99, the Nook has a touch-screen, up to 10 days of battery life, digital lending between devices, and 2G of memory to hold up to 1,000 books.

Sony Reader – The Sony Reader is at the high end of the price range at $149, offering a web browser, support for multiple media formats, an enhanced touch screen, and up to one month of battery life.

Kobo eReader – With storage space for up to 1,000 books, the Kobo eReader is priced at $129. Its features include one month of battery life, a web browser, and touch-screen capability.

Many people use Apple devices like the iPhone and iPad as eReaders, though they’re not designed specifically for this purpose and may not offer the most seamless reading experience.

Have you tried an eReader yet? What was your experience? We’d love for you to share your story with your fellow readers.