We are all more than aware that as we blow off the candles on that birthday cake each year, aging quite insidiously creeps up on us. Theoretically, we understand that the organs and organ systems undergo significant changes with aging but the hardest part is coming to terms with aging. Aging should be a beautiful transition of body, mind and soul. In order to age in a better way, one must consider the following do’s and dont’s.
Let us take a quick look at what happens to the body with aging.
From a purely physical perspective, one of the immediate and observable outcomes of aging is the gradual reduction of height, with many people’s postures actually turning to a stoop. This decrease in height and erectness of the spine is caused by the erector muscles gradually becoming lax.
Coming to the physiological implications of the process of aging, we must realize that every organ and organ system and therefore, their functions gradually decelerate.
With aging, the cardiovascular functioning also tends to slow down. The various arteries and blood vessels also become stiffer with aging. This may, therefore, lead to hypertension and other cardiac complications. The ideal way to ensure optimum cardiac health even while aging is to ensure that we follow appropriate diet and lifestyle practices, being mindful of quantity and quality of food, of ensuring adequate daily exercise and trying to sleep for at least 6 to 8 hours a day. Aggravators of cardiac ill health include smoking, stress and poorly managed lifestyle habits.
With aging, the entire musculoskeletal system also undergoes a high degree of wear and tear, especially with regard to the weight-bearing joints. Depletion of calcium levels, aggravated by vitamin D deficiency may also cause brittleness of bones, thereby making even a small fall risky.
A gentle exercise routine that works all weight-bearing joints and muscle is necessary to counter the effects of aging on the joints. Make sure your diet consists food items that are rich in calcium to avoid any bone-related diseases.
Metabolism slows as we age, with indigestion and heartburn being common. It is recommended that we eat small, light and easily digestible meals as we age. Ideally, the last meal of the day must be finished at least 2 to 3 hours before retiring to bed. Eating a nutritive and fiber-rich meals are equally important to prevent constipation.
Prostrate issues are very common in men as a result of aging and can be prevented by ensuring timely urination, prevention of constipation and maintaining optimum body weight.
At a cognitive level also, aging causes the gradual decay of brain cells in different parts of the brain, especially in the region associated with memory and retention. An active lifestyle with good nutrition, stress management, regular exercise and adequate sleep are seen as essential in enhancing brain function.
Health experts (and moms) agree that breakfast is the most important meal of the day! However, what you choose to eat to begin your day also makes a big difference in your mood and energy levels. Consuming healthy and energizing breakfast options is essential to set you up for a productive, focused, and successful day. Here are some healthy ideas to boost your energy until lunchtime:
1. Chia breakfast pudding
Chia seeds are a superfood as they are packed with protein and antioxidants that are needed to keep energy levels high. Use dairy-free milk, like almond milk, that has added vitamins and minerals to ensure a healthy, protein and vitamin-packed breakfast to keep you running throughout your day
2. Oatmeal
High in fiber, oatmeal is a great breakfast food as it helps you stay full until lunchtime. This will increase productivity and keep your energy levels high throughout your morning. Try mixing in fresh berries or bananas to get a healthy addition of fruit and added antioxidants
3. Almond butter on whole grain toast
Almond butter is a great source of fiber and protein that helps to ward off morning hunger. Adding it on toast is a simple, yet healthy breakfast. Be sure to only use whole-wheat toast, as it contains more fiber and is a complex carb. White bread is a simple carb, with little fiber, and will counteract any benefits of almond butter as simple carbs crash your blood sugar and so, will cause an energy crash
4. Eggs
Eggs are a staple breakfast food because they are high in protein and low in sugar. This makes them an excellent choice for long mornings to ensure productivity and keep energy levels high. Try making an omelet with added vegetables like spinach or mushrooms to get added vitamins and minerals needed to boost health
5. Greek yogurt parfait
Greek yogurt is a great breakfast food because it is high in protein. However, stick to yogurts that are low in sugar, as lots of added sugar can potentially cause your energy to crash. To get some natural sweetness in your greek yogurt, try adding berries. They are a natural source of sugar, plus have the benefit of vitamins and antioxidants needed to maintain good health
6. Protein snack bars
If you are often in a rush and do not have time to cook breakfast, a protein snack bar is a good option. Protein helps keep you full, so a protein bar will not leave you hungry in a few hours. This will keep you productive and keep your energy levels high until lunchtime. Make sure to consume a protein bar that is low in sugar, as added sugars are unhealthy and may lead to a sugar crash that counteracts the benefits of a high-protein bar
While many of us can’t start the day without a coffee, remember a wholesome breakfast will make the difference in mood, energy, and alertness. So as you set your Colombian K Cup coffee to brew; also incorporate a few of the healthy morning meal options into your day.
There’s just something about a classic pick up truck. As far as stature and power, the following trucks led the way as far as impressive styling, engine power, hauling and off road capabilities that, no doubt, inspired the design of many pickups on the road today.
Here’s our list of the six most tried and true pickup trucks in history:
When I was a kid, all the cool teens had a Ford Bronco, but those with a limited edition Baja Bronco were king of the road. Why? As far as off-roading capabilities, the Baja offered a powerful 302-cid V8 paired with a C4 automatic, plus drivers got a impressive boost due to the high cut rear wheel wells and flares, which left ample room for huge tires. The Baja screamed daring adventure roll cage and special enhancements made to offer heavy-duty suspension.
Ford longed to take their classic F150 off-road, but it took until 2009 for them to create the Raptor, a pick up that offered smooth driving and handling and four-wheeling on even the most extreme desert terrain. Not to mention, this truck could haul an 8000-pound trailer. No problem! Offered in a SuperCrew cab and SuperCab configuration, the Raptor also featured a 4WD system based on the standard F-150, plus urethane bump stops and internal-bypass Fox Racing shocks, which allowed for smooth-riding suspension over the roughest roads and highest jumps.
More of a conversion kit than a model truck, Napco (otherwise known as the Northwest Auto Parts Company) made up for the fact that 1950s pickups didn’t come in 4WD (opposed from Dodge). So Napco designed a 4WD offered a conversion kit that let Chevy, Fords, and GMC owners get the 4WD power they longed for. By the year 1957, pick up manufacturers finally caught on and began installing Napco Power-Pak 4WD conversions on their assembly line pick ups.
While GM and Ford enthusiasts may have issue with this truck, one can hardly match the ruggedness of the Dodge Ram of the early 90’s with it’s Cummins diesel engine. In fact, you can still witness the impact of this redesigned Ram on many GM and Ford trucks to this day, with it’s “big rig” styling.
Prior to the Ford F-150, the Highboy was king of the Ford pick up empire. A tough-as-nails truck renowned for it’s ultra-rugged driving capabilities on any terrain, the Highboy was named for its sky-high frame and 35-inch tall tires that was inches taller than any Jeep, Dodge, or GM on the market. After 1977, the Highboy was considered a “Lowboy” as it was constructed at least 2-inches lower, which is why the original pre-1977 model is now considered a collector’s item.
When a celebrity race car driver pairs up with an auto manufacturer, sometimes the results can be disappointing, which was sort of the case when Rod Hall collaborated with Chrysler to birth the Rod Hall Signature Edition Dodge pick up truck. Only 33 of these beauties were made, and despite the Dodge Ram 150 base design, bed-mount light bar and driving lights, and slick pre-runner front and rear bumpers, for some reason Dodge plopped in a whimpy 318-cid V8 with only 170 hp. Despite the fact, this truck continues to be a collector’s item among pick up truck buffs.
The pickup truck is synonymous with America. It’s tough. It works hard. And it has no problem getting dirty to get the job done. This is likely why the pickup truck continues to be among the best selling vehicle in North America. Regardless of if you’re part of team Dodge, Ford, or Chevy, you know that owning a truck offers a truly unique driving experience compared to any sedan, small compact, or even an SUV.
Here are our top reasons to super-size your driving experience to a pickup truck:
If it’s room you desire, ignore any desires to buy a sleek, compact car and turn to a pickup instead. Seriously, a recent Chevy Silverado offers ample legroom and cargo space for a comfortable daily commute or road trip because who wants a leg cramp to start the work day. Passengers can literally stretch their legs out in a roomy four full pickup truck with ample room for tools and everything you need.
Perhaps power and hauling capabilities are your biggest concern when thinking about pickup truck ownership. However, believe it or not safety is a huge benefit of pickup truck ownership. positive! Think about the safety features built in to most full-size trucks—you get a caged cab, vehicle stability, safety seatbelt systems, side impact protection, and even trailer sway control already built into your vehicle.
Sure, if you own a pickup truck you kind of open yourself up to helping every single person you know move house. However, when it comes to hauling your own stuff, you can’t go wrong with a pickup truck. Take a truck like the Chevy Silverado for example, you can suddenly haul up to 12,000 pounds no problem thanks to the impressive torque and horsepower. Suddenly your vehicle can easily transition from work truck to off road camping vehicle of your dreams.
If it’s a boost you want, a pickup is your best bet when it comes to the best visibility on the road. The height of a standard pickup truck cabin permits a view over most other vehicles on the highway. Is that a traffic jam 6 blocks ahead? Luckily, you’ll be able to see it and take a quick detour if you drive a pickup. Not to mention, the cab of a pick up offers the driver and all passengers all-round visibility, front, back and side thanks to huge rear and side-view mirrors.
Leading us into the next reason why trucks are such great vehicles.
Putting aside all jokes about overcompensating, there is little doubt that many individuals choose to drive a pickup for the sheer power it offers. While Ford, Chevy, and GM differ as far as horses under the hood, most current trucks offer between 350- to 440-horsepower (hp) if you consider a Ford F-250 or a Dodge Ram.
Pickup trucks represent the American dream. And while car buyers have vered from SUV to sports coupe over the past few years, pickup truck buffs tend to harken to the past when it comes to sticking with their love of the classic pickup truck. Many of the following classic trucks in good condition sell for a pretty steep price among collectors.
Here are four of the most coveted collectible pickup trucks:
Considered neither a car nor a truck, the Bronco was unique as far a broaching the needs of both a car and a truck driver, which explains it’s motto “the best of both worlds”. This cube shaped truck debuted for 1966 in rudimentary form for a mere $2400 (base model). However, it was the impressively wide (at 92-inches) wheelbase that offered serious off roading, smooth highway driving, and extreme towing capabilities in a single vehicle. Touted literally as a sports car with 4-wheel drive, the Bronco was mounted on coil springs and outfitted with a V8 engine that could literally take drivers from camping to off roading while offering the style and comfort of a family wagon. Today, this year range of Ford Bronco retails for $25k plus.
Behold the inaugural Ford F-series pickup. Think of it as the crown of America’s trucking obsession. Considering this Ford series has ranked in the best-selling for decades, many pickup truck owners are still firmly planted in the Ford camp thanks to this very vehicle. If you’re lucky enough to find a 1948 Ford F1 for sale, you can expect to pay upwards of $30K depending on condition and customizations.
Looking at this truck, there’s little wonder that it was originally designed in the early 1940’s for military purposes. However, the Dodge Power Wagon caught on in the mainstream market due to its ability to travel virtually anywhere. The impressive 4×4 capabilities of this truck was so good that it there were no revisions until it was discontinued in 1968. If you spot one, expect to pay $45k or more!
It was called the “Super” for good reason. This high-option, everyday use pickup truck boosted unique interior design with a/c, tach dash, power brakes and steering, headliners, and tilt columns. Plus, the exterior could be costoumize with special paint and trim. Find one and expect to pay up to $30k for a model in good condition with lots of options.
