Category: #TheFab50s

Brace Face

I am sooooo excited because I’m about to turn 56 years old next week and my braces are coming off – wait, what?!?  Really?!?

Like I have mentioned before in previous blogs, I do almost everything backwards (smile) so its’s only fitting that I would be sporting braces during my middle aged years (double smile).

As it turns out, I am in good company…

As a matter of fact, more and more Adults are sporting clear braces (or Invisalign) now than ever before.  In most cases Adults are comprising up to 50 percent of Ortho patients today!  And, according to the American Association of Orthodontics, any age is the right age for ortho care.

By the way, insurance usually does not cover orthodontics for adults over the age of 25…I found that one out the hard way…

However the good news for me was that my braces are light and clear, unlike back in the day when they were heavy metal.  Eeeck!

And I’m proud to say that I only have 8 of them – all on my upper teeth – (4 on each side) which is what my orthodontist suggested.

So here are the top 2 reasons why I decided to get braces (besides my regular dentist, Alan Friedler, DMD recommending them):

  •   Looking to close the gap between my two front teeth
  •   Looking to decrease my overbite.

My Orthodontist told me it would take up to one year to achieve these goals so I figured:  ‘I’m not getting any younger’ and ‘Now is as good a time as any…’ (smile).

 

Me before the braces – with a gap and overbite

 

Me sporting my light and clear braces

 

Here are some helpful tips if you are an Adult considering braces:

Daily Maintenance:

Good news: you may brush with an electric toothbrush – it doesn’t get in the way of the braces at all.

You need to rinse out your mouth and brush after each and every meal.

You need to floss daily and often…

You need to use the wax they given you in your “kit” on a regular basis to keep the wire from the braces from cutting into your cheeks.

Monthly Maintenance:

You have to make appointments to visit the Orthodontist at least once a month for check-up and tightening – look for an orthodontist that first of all comes highly recommended and secondly is convenient to where you live and/or work as those 4 week visits come up rather quickly!

Watch what you eat:

Here’s what I truly enjoy eating but have a tough time with right now:

  • Sushi
  • Pizza
  • Grilled Chicken
  • Steak
  • Popcorn

Here are foods the Orthodontist recommends you eat with braces:

  • Dairy – pudding and soft cheeses
  • Bread – sliced lunch bread, soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins
  • Grains – pasta, noodles, soft cooked rice
  • Meats/poultry – soft cooked chicken, meatballs, luncheon meats
  • Seafood – fish without bones, tuna, salmon, crab and crab cakes

Cost:

It cost me around $3700 but again that was just for a total of 8 braces on my upper teeth…most Ortho offices do offer monthly payment plans which helps…

Post Braces:

When my clear braces are removed next week I have to wear a thin wire removable retainer for up to 8 weeks (full-time) and then another 4 weeks (part-time).

That brings me smack into Summer – free of braces and ready for my next adventure~ Yay!

 

Sincerely,

 

 

TVFL

 

My Clean Living Life – Part IV

I am a super proud Colon Cancer Survivor(since August of 2011) so eating “clean” is an essential part of my life.   I’m also Lactose Intolerant so I’m ever mindful of making the right food and beverage choices.

Here are just some of the products I find make it easier for me to lead a dairy-free life:

I eat cereal every morning so milk is a major part of my diet.  Before I even realized I was Lactose Intolerant I had already made the switch from whole milk to 2% milk and then finally to 1% milk so switching over to Almond Breeze Almondmilk (Original and Unsweetened) plant based milk suits me just fine.

I love love love cheese so I was super excited when I found out I could still have cheddar cheese, a personal fave, as well as any of the “hard” cheeses as they are easier to digest than the “soft” cheeses and therefore do not upset my stomach.  For cheddar cheese, I prefer the CABOT brand…

When it comes to yogurt there are so many options today but I tend to gravitate towards Yoplait lactose free yogurt as it just tastes better than most of the other dairy-free brands flooding the market.

I used to love to slap a dollop of whipped creme on top of my pie or cake during the holidays.  Instead of using whipped creme, try this simple recipe to make your own dairy -free version:

 

  • Use one can of full-fat coconut milk (Thai Kitchen organic Coconut Milk is a good brand to use)
  • Plus one tablespoon of  local honey for sweetener (optional)

Whisk the two ingredients together for up to 4 minutes and you’re good to go!

 

During the dog days of Summer (which is honestly the only time I think of ice cream) one of my fave dairy-free choices is Breyers Lactose Free Natural Vanilla as it’s simply delicious.

 

 

If you are a salad lover like me, scratch the heavy blue cheese or ranch dressings (or other milk-based dressings) and switch over to the lighter Balsamic Vinaigrette (Wish Bone makes a tasty version…)

Delish salad!

 

And finally,  I’m an avid snacker so I found that Hummus easily takes the place of  creme (“soft”) cheese, it is way better for you plus it tastes good too!  Sabra Classic Hummus (or its many equally delicious varieties) makes a healthy satisfying dip whether you’re snacking on raw veggies, crackers, pretzels, and/or baked chips.  Yummy!

 

So whether you are Lactose intolerant like me or not, Bon Appetit!

 

Sincerely,

 

 

TVFL

 

 

 

LJ: Stronger than before…

I just came back from a week-long vacation in Lewes, Delaware so I haven’t been to the gym in a minute and being the active girl that I am, one of the first places I hit was the Edge Fitness Club in Hamden.

At Edge Fitness Clubs I am a member of Edge Strong which is a “team training” program led by the personal trainers.  Edge Strong consists of 5 different types of hourly workouts guaranteed to get you the results you are looking for:   Foundation, Strength, Burn, Speciality and Exclusive.   I work out religiously Monday through Friday in the Edge Strong “Early Bird” workout classes which begin at either 530am or 6am depending on the week day.   I like working out with a team as it helps to keep me motivated and I also like that the workouts are led by Personal Trainers because these trainers tend to keep you from slacking off or not pushing yourself to your true fitness ability.

As it turns out, it’s Labor Day today and like Memorial Day in Connecticut, which signals the unofficial start of Summer, Labor Day signals the unofficial start of Fall.   By this I mean we still have some days left in the month that will feel like Summer (temperature wise) but the early mornings and late nights will start to get a bit nippy…

 

At the gym, I like to warm up on the machines before class actually begins:

 

 

But after just ONE WEEK OFF FROM THE GYM(!) this is more how I start:

 

 

However, there’s still hope as by week’s end, LJ, as I am known in the gym, gets her groove back:

 

And before you know it, I’m back in gym shape and ready to face the challenges of the day (smile).

 

Sincerely,

 

 

TVFL

Count Your Blessings…

I can’t believe it’s August already which means that Summer is almost over, Boo!  To add insult to injury, the changeable weather in Connecticut has me feeling kinda blah…If you too are finding yourself feeling some kinda way and are looking for solutions,  here’s my list of ways to shake it off (smile).

First things first, Count Your Blessings.   I’ve been known to throw a pity party and not invite anyone but myself and that never ends well.   The quickest solution is to start counting my blessings no matter how large or small.  Works like a charm…

 

 

Take a Mental Health Day – sometimes you just need to forget about work and take the day off, strictly for the purpose of resting and relaxing your mind…

 

 

Get organized  – Declutter – Put things back where they belong – sometimes just getting organized takes a load off your mind and makes you feel accomplished (smile).

 

Surround yourself with positive people.   Life is too short to be made miserable by another person(s).  You can truly ‘do bad all by yourself’ as mama used to say (smile).

Listen to music that you absolutely love – the 70s is my Go-To decade so you’ll find me listening to one or more of the following musical genres:  Soul, Rock, Pop, R & B or Disco.  It instantly puts me in a good mood.

 

 

This is not necessarily going to be easy but try turning off the desktop, the laptop, the cell phone, the iPad, etc.,  for even a few half hours  at a time.  You’ll be amazed at how good you feel.

 

 

Read a book by your favorite author or grab a self-help book.  Either one will do the trick.

 

 

Take a power nap – quick, short naps not only rejuvenate you but they improve your mood, alertness and performance.

 

 

Exercise for life – make working out a part of your daily life – not a dreaded thing to do.   Whether you belong to a gym, or work out at home, it’s one of the best ways to stay in shape, be healthy, combat stress, reduce fatigue and improve your sleep.

 

 

Get involved in a sport that you have not played in years.  I used to be able to jump rope for hours at a time as a child so trying it again recently brought back some fond memories.

 

 

Play with pets –  whether they are your own, your friends or your neighbors  – pets can easily bring a smile to your face and make your worries go away.

 

 

And finally, Count Your Blessings, again…if you have a sound mind, good health, family, faith, friends and work, you’re already ahead in the Game of Life.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

TVFL

 

 

Fun things to do in Connecticut (besides fidget!)

There are plenty of fun things to do in Connecticut this Summer (or next Summer if you missed one or two here) and lucky for you they are all within driving distance.  For now here are just a few (in alphabetical order):

 

Bluff Point State Park, Groton, CT

This state park in Connecticut is not so easy to find by car but once you do locate it, you are in for a pleasant surprise…You will discover that it is a fantastic place to take the family for a picnic, to go for a swim at the beach, to go on a long hike, to clam, to fish, to go jogging…

 

Me and my fam enjoying Bluff Point State Park
Me and my partner with my great nephew Harlem

 

Captain’s Cove Seaport, Bridgeport, CT

This Seaport is, in my opinion, one of Bridgeport’s best kept secrets!

It’s cute, it’s quaint and it’s a great way to while away an afternoon.  The outdoor shops, the fresh seafood, the live bands, the livelier crowds, most definitely a must-see in the Park City!

 

Picnic tables galore at Captains Cove
Big fun at the Seaport

 

Catamaran Lighthouse Cruises, New London, CT

My sister Casandra and her husband Alfredo went on one of these lighthouse cruises last Summer and had such a good time, they convinced me to try one (smile).  I love catamarans, traveling on water and educational tours so I’m looking forward to the good time I know I’ll have (smile).

 

My sister Casandra on the Lighthouse Ferry boat ride

 

International Festival of Arts and Ideas, New Haven, CT

The arts become alive in New Haven the first 3 1/2 weeks in June and, as they say, there is truly something for everyone.  And most events are free and open to the public.  This year (2017) there were over 200 events(!)  from walking tours to workshops to master classes to concerts on the Green to film festivals…This is by far one of the best ways to learn about the arts and culture in the city of New Haven without breaking the bank.

 

2017 International Festival of Arts and Ideas concert

 

Jonathan Edwards Winery, North Stonington, CT

I’ve heard nothing but good things about this CT Wine Trail winery and vineyard which is nestled in the hills of Stonington, CT.   I’m looking forward to going for a taste or two this Summer…

 

 

Olde Mistick Village, Mystic, CT

I grew up in Southeastern, CT so Olde Mistick Village or “The Village,” as it was affectionately known, was the destination for shopping, for movies, for hanging out with friends, for enjoying ice cream or candy or fudge…

As an adult I find it’s an even better place to make memories – the movie theater now sells alcoholic beverages and snacks, there’s even a Brewport on premises!   The Village itself is dog friendly(!); the one-of-a-kind shops feature a variety of authentic, unique wares; there are a good number of restaurants serving breakfast or lunch and/or dinner.  There’s even a Sushi restaurant – Pink Basil – Yay!   And Franklin’s General Store is the place to go for unique gift items and free samples of “America’s Best Fudge.”  Yummy!

 

Me in front of one of my fav restaurants Pink Basil
Joyce Reskinoff the owner of OMV with News 8’s Co-Chief Meteorologist Joe Furey
Me, my sister Casandra and my gf Thais at The Taste of Mystic

 

Travelers Championship, Cromwell, CT

The 3rd week of June is special in Connecticut because Travelers Championship (part of the PGA tour) takes place right at nearby TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, CT.   I love seeing live sports up close and personal because I find it is such a great way to connect to the sport as well as to its individual players.  And you don’t necessarily need to be a golf fan to enjoy Travelers as there is a Fan Zone with lots of unique booths, a Kids Zone for the children, plenty of food booths, ice cream trucks, beer tents and even live entertainment.  It’s truly a happening time~

 

Me and James and my cousin David from Newport RI who was working the event

 

That’s it for now – enjoy your Summer!

Sincerely,

 

TVFL