As anyone who regularly reads TVFL knows, this girl has been blogging about taking care of her health and well being for the past several years. It was precipitated 8 years ago when I was diagnosed with colon cancer: A Place of Desert…(almost) 4years cancer free So it should come as no surprise to anyone that my most shared blog post, My clean living life… is up to Part Six. Namely because health and wellness is something that I (and apparently others in or not in my age group) struggle with. And I’m not ashamed to write about it. However, don’t get me wrong, if I could wave a magic wand and become the healthiest girl alive overnight, I would’ve been there done that soooo many years ago (smile).
As is stands, working out at the Edge Fitness Center 5 mornings a week, eating clean and healthy, getting the proper ZZZs at night and imbibing only on the weekends can get old (smile).
Especially when you work on 100 percent commission in a pressure-cooker environment each and every weekday…
But I’m not one to throw a pity party for too long…I like to look on the bright side of life. For instance, my quest for good health and wellness affords me the following rewards: a brighter, sunnier disposition, faster metabolism, increased energy and overall improved health.
Suddenly it’s the middle of Winter in Connecticut and even though we are not getting much snow this year I still find myself feeling just a little out of sorts…let’s see: it’s cold, it’s dark and it seems like there’s not a heck of a lot to do for fun…
The older I get, the colder I get…
Here’s the good news: Spring and Summer are just around the corner and all of the outdoor activities we are missing are too (smile).
So since we have a little ways to go ’till then, allow me, the eternal optimist, to focus on some of the things you, your family and your friends can enjoy in the meantime in between time:
Skiing
There is plenty of downhill skiing in Connecticut to enjoy and the resorts are merely a car ride away. Mohawk Mountain in Cornwall, Mount Southington in the Plantsville section of Southington, Ski Sundown in New Hartford, Woodbury Ski Area in Woodbury and Powder Ridge Park in Middlefield.
I love Ski Mount Southington
Ice Skating
I went ice skating a couple of years ago on my birthday and like riding a bike, it really does come back to you. Growing up Hollis we kids spent a lot of time on the ice as Winters seemed to be longer, colder and snowier back in the day (smile). The difference between ice skating then and ice skating now is now it takes me a few days to recover…
This is fun just as long I don’t fall (smile)
Reading in front of a warm fireplace
This one’s easy because it doesn’t take much effort and it offers plenty of warmth and relaxation. Not to mention down time…
Fireplaces were made for cold Winter
Cooking and Eating Comfort foods
Anyone who really knows me knows if I had my way I would have my own personal chef cooking me healthy gourmet meals each and every day.
I’m nobody’s chef but I do enjoy cooking when the temperatures drop
Watching old movies
I love watching old B & W movies and binge-watching new series’, especially when it’s too cold to venture outdoors…
There’s nothing better on a cold Winter day than a good old movie, a comfy chair and some hot buttery popcorn – yum!
Going to the museum or a live theater
It’s wonderful to lose yourself in the experience of a museum exhibit or live theater performance – lucky for us the New Haven area is known for both…
Spa Day
Pampering yourself works for any season but it feels oh so lovely in the dead of Winter (smile).
I am sooooo excited because I’m about to turn 56 years old next week andmy 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 my braces…
Me, sporting my 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 give 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 now:
Sushi
Pizza
Grilled Chicken
Steak
Popcorn
Here are foods the Orthodontist recommends you eat with braces:
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!
It’s officially Winter in CT which for the most part makes me feel low-keySAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) as it means the weather is extremely cold, the days short and the nights, super dark on my drive home from work…
To compensate, I try my darndest to look for fun, free, enlightening and/or educational things to do just to keep me from participating in my favorite pastime, i.e., sitting in my La-Z-Boy to watch TV and eat snacks (smile).
So here (in no particular order) are some of the ways (in the past) I have kept myself occupied (and far, far away from the snacks) during the dark, dreary days of Winter in CT:
Ice skating – Since I enjoyed this activity so much as a child growing up in Groton, CT I figured I would try it out again as a full-grown adult – I must admit it was easier said than done (smile).
Northford Ice Skating Rink
This is a fun and easy activity, especially in the Winter: taking a hot bubble bath after a long day of work: Put your slippers on…
My bathroom 🙂
Visiting a local museum – this free activity is not only educational but truly enlightening.
The New Haven Museum
Relaxing in a salt cave. This was such a unique activity I had to write a blog post about it: Cave Girl
Saltana Cave & Spa
Going to a live taping of The Viewin NYC – a truly magical day from beginning ’till end: The View (from Lajeune)
ABC Studios in NYC
Spending the day enjoying a special exhibit – educational for sure: Harlem for Days!
Yale’s Beinecke Museum – the Harlem Renaissance exhibit
Going to see a free lecture at the local university. I recall this event quickly becoming “standing room-only.” To me this proved the staying power of the written word…
Quinnipiac University featuring Margot Lee Shetterly, the author of “Hidden Figures”
Spending a relaxing Day at the Spa – this never gets old…
Norwich Inn and Spa – Spa Day with my “Sisters in Christ”
Skiing in the month of February – Super fun and exhilarating! SkiDate
Mount Southington Ski Resort
Spending time (and money) at the casino…
Mohegan Sun Casino or Foxwoods Casino
So whatever activity you choose to participate in this Winter in CT, do try to make it memorable 🙂
