Healthy Living Tip

Healthy Lifestyle Tips for a Longer, Better LifeIf you could, would you want to live forever? Jeanne Calment of France, who was 122 ½ years old when she died in 1997, holds the world record for longest confirmed lifespan – long enough that as a child, she actually met Vincent Van Gogh and watched the construction of the Eiffel Tower.

Great genes? Perhaps, but studies have shown that while heredity plays a role in influencing life expectancy, the larger determinant is a healthy lifestyle. While it’s true that most people won’t live long enough to become 100+ year old supercentenarians, adopting healthy habits can, as the expression goes, add years to our life and life to our years. Below, we bring you 11 effective lifestyle changes for body and soul. Start today, and you’ll be well on the way to enhancing how long you live – and how well.

1. Be mindful. A study conducted of people over age 80 determined that one of the largest predictors of a long life is a mindful and conscientious nature. That means paying attention to details, doing what’s right and consistently making choices to help protect and improve your health, build stronger relationships and enhance your career. Some people come by thoughtfulness and impulse control naturally, but if your personality skews a bit more towards Type A or even recklessness, make a conscious effort to slow down, take a deep breath and consider the possible consequences of your actions – all of which will go a long way towards keeping you safer, healthier and living longer.

2. Make friends. Companionship, advice, support, inspiration… there are so many advantages to having

Winter 2017 / 2018

On behalf of FirstService Residential, we wish you the happiest of holidays and a joyous new year. We are honored to make a difference in your community every day. We look forward to an even better 2018!

FirstService Residential

LIFESTYLE LIVING A message from Michael Mendillo, President, FirstService Residential:

and being a friend, and here’s another – you just may live longer. People with more friends tend to live longer than those with fewer social connections, so if you need to, find new ways to expand your social circle. How? You can meet new friends through your friends and relatives, your job, shared hobbies and interests, volunteer opportunities, or even where you live. Introduce yourself to your neighbors and take advantage of the social and recreational programs your community provides for residents.

“I strive to bring people together and encourage them to connect and form friendships through a variety of weekly and monthly classes, programs, trips and events – I’ll even escort them to events if they feel hesitant or shy,” said Gerry Gray, Lifestyle Director at Potomac Green, a 55+ community with over 2,000 residents. “When neighbors interact and watch out for one another, they not only build their social connections, but they also increase their safety, well-being and quality of life.” But always be sure to…

3. Choose your friends wisely. Convinced you’re set in your ways? Not according to science. As social animals, we tend to pick up our friends’ habits, both good and bad – and even if you’re no longer a kid, peer pressure can be hard to resist. For example, if your friends are obese or smoke, you may find yourself reaching for one too many snacks – or cigarettes. On the other hand, dieting and quitting are often contagious, and the buddy system can motivate both of you. The takeaway? Seek out friends with the same healthy habits you share or aspire to.

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4. Nap. Your boss may not agree, but a regular afternoon siesta is actually beneficial – at least for your health. Naps are standard practice in many countries, and in fact, studies have shown that a midday snooze can decrease your chances of dying from heart disease. So the next time you’ve got some free time, pull up a pillow and grab some quick Z’s. If work or other daily obligations don’t allow for afternoon naps, be sure you get enough sleep every night. Experts recommend six-eight hours for adults, and encourage you to go to sleep and rise at the same time each day.

5. Eat a Mediterranean Diet. Studies continue to prove the many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet, which is centered on fruits and vegetables, fish, whole grains and lots of olive oil. Eating this way has been shown to significantly decrease blood pressure, blood sugar, obesity, heart disease and diabetes, so even if you don’t go full-on Mediterranean, try to add more of these nutritional powerhouses to your diet.

6. Drink in Moderation. To life! That’s what this article is about, so let’s all raise a glass – after all, moderate drinkers have lower incidences of heart disease than teetotalers. But don’t go overboard. The American Heart Association recommends no more than one drink per day for women, and one to two for men – more than that, and you risk weight gain, hypertension and many other health problems. And if you don’t drink, don’t start – there are other ways to protect your heart.

7. Lose the extra weight. If you’ve got a few pounds to lose, it’s likely you know that taking off that extra weight can not only make you look and feel better, it can also reduce your likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer and other potentially life-threatening conditions. But did you know that all weight isn’t created equal? If you’ve got a gut, slimming down is especially important – deep visceral belly fat has been linked to a host of metabolic and vascular diseases. Early studies show a possible link to Alzheimer’s disease. Which leads us to…

8. Exercise. Attention couch potatoes – we all make excuses for why we don’t exercise, but you can’t fool science, which continues to prove that people who move more live longer. While we probably don’t have

Healthy Living Tip

Healthy Lifestyle Tips for a Longer, Better Life (continued)

to tell you that regular exercise can cut your risk of disease, did you know it can also ease depression and keep your mind sharp as you age? And speaking of excuses, if you’re pressed for time, shorter spurts of activity can add up to better health – even moving for ten minutes is beneficial, as long as your weekly exercise total is at least three hours.

9. Sleep. Just like in the old fable Goldilocks and the Three Bears, getting the optimal amount of sleep is just right. Studies have shown that sleeping for less than five hours per night has been linked to a variety of ailments, such as obesity, heart disease, mood disorders and memory loss, but getting too much sleep can also negatively impact your health. So how much sleep is best? While experts have long recommended that adults shoot for six to eight hours of slumber per night, new research is showing that an even seven hours is the healthiest choice.

10. Get Married. Saying “I do” can impact more than just your marital status. Studies continue to prove that married (or cohabiting) people live longer than singletons, probably due to the emotional and financial support relationships provide. And the benefits can last even if the marriage doesn’t – divorced or widowed people tend to live longer than those who have never wed.

11. Let it go. Here’s another reason the hit song from “Frozen” resonates with young and old alike. While chronic anger has been linked to a host of health ailments, like increased blood pressure, heart disease and stroke, letting go of bitterness and resentment can lower your health risks, reduce anxiety and help you live longer. Even better, these effects multiply as you get older, so the next time you’re upset, take a deep breath and forgive.

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What’s your dream winter vacation? According to recent statistics, when temperatures plunge, the four most popular vacation choices, in order, are beach vacations, sightseeing tours, casinos and ski trips. But no matter whether you plan to pack your bathing suit, walking shoes, ski parka or lucky rabbit’s foot, there’s one thing that should always be part of your vacation planning – ensuring home protection while you’re away.

“You’ve done the research and planning to make sure your winter vacation goes off without a hitch, and it’s just as important to plan how to keep your home safe while you’re away,” says Michelle Lee-Moran, a Community Association Manager for FirstService Residential in Maryland. “By taking some basic preventative measures before you leave for vacation, you can avoid big problems, like frozen or bursting pipes, power surges, break-ins and more.”

So with that in mind, we’ve compiled five home protection tips to keep the home front safe while you’re away on winter vacation.

Home Living Tip

Leaving for Winter Vacation? Five Tips to Protect Your Home While You’re Away

Want more good ways to keep pipes from freezing – and possibly bursting – while you’re away having fun? Turn off the main water valve before you leave and run the faucet to make sure no water remains in the pipes. And here’s another – keep some heat on in your home during your trip. While it may be tempting to save on heating costs while no one’s there, a little bit of warmth can go a long way towards keeping your pipes happy – especially, if no one will be there to address problems as soon as they occur.

3. Pull the Plugs.

Electrical storms can cause power surges, which can damage your electrical appliances or worse, ignite a fire in your home. So before you leave, unplug your computers, TVs, coffee makers, toaster ovens, hair dryers and all other appliances around your home. In addition to preventing power surges, you’ll also save energy, since many appliances use electricity, even when not being used.

1. Enlist friends or neighbors to help.

An overflowing mailbox or newspapers and packages piling up at your door are dead giveaways that no one is home. One way to avoid that is to place a temporary hold on mail and newspaper delivery before you leave. If you can’t or don’t want to do that, give a key to a trusted friend or neighbor and ask them to stop by every day or two to retrieve your stuff, as well as to make sure everything looks okay.

On a related and very important note, while they’re checking up on things, make sure your friend or neighbor checks the condition of your pipes and plumbing – especially if you live in a colder climate and the weather dips below freezing while you’re away. Show or tell them the location of the water main shut-off in case a pipe breaks. Also ask your friend to try turning on all of the faucets – if no water flows or just a few drops dribble out, it’s a sign your pipes may be frozen. Leave instructions for your friend to call a plumber as soon as he or she suspects frozen pipes – and don’t forget to provide contact names and numbers.

2. Make sure your pipes are protected.

First things first – if you live in a colder climate where temperatures can dip below freezing, it’s critical to take precautions to prevent your pipes from freezing when the mercury goes south. Make sure the pipes in your home are properly insulated. Your community management staff will make sure all common area pipes are properly and effectively protected.

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4. Let the right people know.

It’s smart not to let everyone know you’ll be out of town – but it’s a very good idea to let the right people know. Many local police departments encourage residents to notify them that they’ll be away on vacation – that way, they can keep an eye out for suspicious activity while you’re gone. In addition, if you live in a managed community with roving security patrols, a guardhouse attendant or front desk staff, give them a heads up as well. But be discreet about whom you tell. Remember…

5. Don’t share future plans on social media.

It’s natural to be excited about your trip before you leave, so why not share advance details about your destination or itinerary with your social network or ask them for travel tips or advice? Well, you can, if you share the details directly with a trusted friend or relative. But it’s a giant no-no to discuss future travel

plans and dates via social media, such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Why? Because social media posts are easily shared, and even if you use privacy settings, your friends and connections can share your info with others – that means you won’t know who may be learning about your upcoming plans and how long you’ll be gone. The same goes for posting your travel photos while you’re still on vacation – that’s a sure tip-off you’re away from home, so hold off on sharing the sights and scenery until you return.

A winter vacation is all about sharing rewarding experiences and wonderful memories, no matter whether you prefer sun, snow, rambling, gambling, or any other memorable pursuit. So before you leave, follow these five guidelines to protect your home while you’re away – after all, coming home to no surprises will help extend that vacation feeling just a little bit longer.

Home Living Tip

Leaving for Winter Vacation? Five Tips to Protect Your Home While You’re Away (continued)i

Featured Recipe

Moroccan Chicken & Olive Tagine | Makes 4 Servings

This is a classic “set it in and forget it recipe,” which means all you have to do is set the ingredients in the slow cooker and the rest is culinary magic. The fragrant, Moroccan-inspired meal tastes labor intensive – that’s the spices at work – and it’s certain to impress your guests. Perfect for lunch or dinner, the dish can be served over couscous and garnished with chopped pistachios or almonds.

Ingredients

2 lbs Chicken Thighs boneless and skinless4 Carrots cut into 1-inch pieces1 Yellow Onion finely chopped1/3 cup Dried Prunes halved1/2 cup Green Olives pitted3 Garlic Cloves minced2 tbsps All Purpose Flour2 tsps Paprika

2 tsps Ground Cumin1 tsp Cinnamon2 tsps Ginger minced1 cup Low-Sodium Chicken Broth1 tsp Salt Pepper to taste Cilantro chopped, for serving Lemon Wedge for serving

Instructions

1. In a slow cooker, combine all of the listed ingredients. Stir contents.

2. Cook on low heat for 6 hours.

3. When ready to serve, sprinkle with fresh cilantro and serve with lemon wedges.

Looking for more delicious recipes you won’t believe came out of a slow cooker? Visit: https://www.theelementsofliving.com/delicious-recipes-wont-believe-came-slow-cooker/

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Get Focused

The best swap parties are fairly intimate affairs that limit the number of guests to about 20. This makes it easier to keep things orderly and friendly so your gathering feels fun instead of competitive. It’s also a good idea to choose a theme for your swap so the donated items are of interest to the group you invite — a pile of fancy handbags won’t really appeal to hardcore snow boarders looking to trade equipment. Consider these themes for swaps that will appeal to your friends and neighbors:

− Books, videos and music − Clothing, shoes and accessories − Home decor and furnishings − Housewares, tools and other useful items for the home − Toys and other kids’ gear

If you’d like to appeal to the widest possible range of participants, you can host a different theme every few months so that people can choose what they’d like to attend. You can always go for one big swap, but this will take some extra organization to make it a success. If you want everyone to come out at the same time to maximize the number of items to choose from, select a large venue and divide your swap party into different categories. This way attendees will know where to drop off their old things — and where to look for great new items.

Decide on the Rules

A very small swap party may not need rules, but if you have more than five people, it’s a good idea to decide on some basic guidelines so that everyone has a chance to “shop” for items they want. To make things fair, you may wish to hand out a token or coupon for each item someone donates; each ticket would then be exchanged for a new item at the swap. This easy tallying system ensures that no one leaves with twice as much as they brought to the table. (Of course, at the end of the night you may wish to open up the tables to encourage people to pick up those last few items!)

It’s also a good idea to come up with a system of taking turns so that your guests have an equal number of chances to claim items. You could draw numbers from a hat to assign a randomized shopping order and allow guests to choose one to three items on their turns. For the second round, consider going in the reverse order of your original assignments.

To keep things moving, schedule a browsing hour at the beginning of the swap so your guests can look around, take measurements and try things on. This will save time during the portion of the event when people are claiming items.

Finally, you’ll want to make it clear what will happen to the items when the swap party ends. Are guests responsible for taking home un-chosen items, or will the party organizers donate leftovers? The Salvation Army and Goodwill accept a wide range of gently used items, including clothing, furnishings and other household goods. You could also try to sell items on eBay or at an upcoming community yard sale and donate the profits to a local charity.

Community Living Tip

How To Throw A Community Swap PartyWhether it’s during spring cleaning or a back-to-school blitz, there comes a time when you realize that you have too much stuff. Your issue could be your designer shoe collection, old craft supplies gathering dust or perfectly good furniture that no longer suits your style. If you have items lying around your house that no longer “spark joy” or feel useful to you, it’s time to find them a new home.

One of the reasons people have trouble getting rid of their old belongings is that they feel guilty for getting rid of perfectly good things. When there’s no problem with an item other than that your tastes and interests have changed, it just feels wrong to throw it away — especially if you’re trying to live a more sustainable lifestyle But if you have great gear lying around your home, you can give it all a second life instead. Get your friends, neighbors or community together for a swap party and find a new owner for your idle items. It’s fun, easy and free — and you can even go home with something new and exciting for yourself! Here’s how to organize this type of event. If you want to plan the event for your community, be sure to work in close cooperation with your Association’s Manager and/or Lifestyle Director.

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Community Living Tip

How To Throw A Community Swap Party (continued)

Make it Fun

Don’t forget that a swap party is a party! You’ll get more people to come if you go the extra mile to make it a notable event. You can serve food and drinks to keep people happy. If you have an event budget for your neighborhood association already, you’ll be able to provide a range of snacks easily. If you’re looking to keep costs down, try making the “admission price” to your event a potluck dish to share. You could also have an online sign-up for things like cups, plates, drinks and snacks as part of your RSVP instructions.

If you’re thinking about hosting a large swap, you may need some additional supplies to help organize items. Think about asking for help with the following:

− Rolling clothes hangers or wardrobe carts

− Extra hangers

− Full-length mirrors

− Large folding tables

− Folding chairs or other seating

− Signage

− Labels, name tags and pens to claim items

− Coolers with ice for drinks

− Trash cans for the food area

− Takeout containers for sending home leftover food

− A sound system with a microphone for music and announcements

− Clothesline, clothes pins and sheets to create a changing area

Promote Your Event

Once you’ve completed all of your planning, it’s time to get the word out. If you are planning your party as a community event, check with your Association to see if you can place a short article in the next newsletter or have management include information on the event on the community website. These direct marketing outlets are perfect for getting attention on your swap, and they give you a way to explain how your event will work if it’s a new type of gathering in your area.

If you’re looking to target a large audience, consider making flyers to post around your community and to hand out to residents, either near the mailboxes, on cars, under doors — or whatever works where you live. Remember to work cooperatively with Association Management just to make sure that you’re not breaking any rules.

A community swap party is a great way to get neighbors together and to find new homes for your old stuff. Just add friends, food and fun, and soon you’ll say goodbye to your old items and hello to a great time.

Community SpotlightBear Brigade at Potomac Green, Ashburn, VA

At the request of her then 9-year old granddaughter, Charlotte Kircher started a project making teddy bears and donating them to children staying in hospitals. Over 23 years and tens of thousands of bears later, Ms. Kircher brought this to Potomac Green as a chartered club. They donate at least 160 bears per month!