Anne's Blog

When you were a kid, adults probably told you to drink lots of milk in order to grow up big and strong. Granted, it might not make you Superman or Wonder Woman, but the calcium found in milk and other products does help make your body stronger, specifically your bones.

No matter how old a person is, everyone needs calcium to build or maintain bone strength. However, many people dont get enough of the essential nutrient. Thats especially dangerous for older women, who are at higher risk for osteoporosis. A disease that makes bones weak and more likely to break, osteoporosis affects 1 in 4 women over the age of 65.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the following steps could help you get plenty of calcium and protect your bones:

Know How Much You Need
Most adults should get 1,000 mg of calcium every day, with that amount increasing to 1,200 mg daily for women over 50 and men over 70. Meanwhile, the recommended daily amount for kids aged 1 to 3 is 700 mg; 4 to 8 is 1,000 mg; and 9 to 18 is 1,300 mg.

Keep Calcium in Your Diet
The best way to get enough calcium is to eat foods with the nutrient in them every day. Calcium is in fat-free or low-fat dairy products; certain vegetables, including soybeans, collard greens, broccoli and turnip greens; and a host of food products fortified with calcium (i.e., with the nutrient added), including some orange juices, tofu, soymilk and breakfast cereals. If you dont eat enough foods with calcium, taking a calcium supplement daily might be beneficial.

Check Food Labels
The Daily Value (DV) on a food label tells you the amount of a nutrient thats in each serving. Foods that have at least 10 percent DV of calcium are good; ones with 20 percent DV are excellent. For example, a cup of fat-free milk has about 300 mg of calcium, or 30 percent DV.

Let Vitamin D Help
Vitamin D helps you absorb calcium. Although the human body makes vitamin D when out in the sun"and most people meet at least some of their vitamin D needs this way"its prudent to limit sun exposure to reduce the risk of skin cancer.

Therefore, try to include good sources of vitamin D in your diet. Salmon and tuna are among the best choices, but many of the same food products fortified with calcium also have the vitamin added in. In addition, daily vitamin D supplements are available.

Get Tested
If youre an older adult, especially a woman, ask your doctor if you should get a bone density test to check for osteoporosis. The test is like an X-ray or scan of your body. It doesnt hurt and should only take about 15 minutes.

Getting enough calcium can help keep your bones strong. Talk to your doctor about health concerns and before taking supplements or making changes in your diet.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

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Here are a few tips for designing the perfect space for learning at home.

Set Up for Success

A designated workspace with a desk, proper materials and good lighting will create a separate environment perfect for learning away from the rest of the house.

Recreate the Classroom

Try to create a learning environment that theyre accustomed to. Hanging up their assignments or mounting a chalkboard will make it feel more like school.

Include Different Areas

If you have the space, kids will benefit from a change of scenery and subjects throughout the day to avoid monotony.

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If you’re a first-time homeowner, the odds are good you will soon be ready for the fun and responsibility of owning your first dog.

If you’re looking for a pet that suits you and your lifestyle, the pooch experts at Petbreeds.com suggest breeds that are low maintenance, shed minimally, are easily trainable, and get along well with kids and other dogs:

Labrador retriever. There’s a reason these dogs are among the most popular breeds in the country. Known to be loyal, intelligent, obedient, and easy to train, they are deservedly a top choice, especially if you have, or plan to have children.German short-haired pointer. These favorites are also low maintenance dogs that are easy to train. However, they’re also very active and require a lot of exercise to stay healthy, so they’re a good choice for active owners.Intelligent and playful companions who like their exercise and don’t require a lot of grooming. If you enjoy long neighborhood walks, these dogs will make the perfect companion.Brittany spaniel. These loyal, intelligent pups are popular favorites among first-time pet owners because they’re loving, obedient, and great around children.Originally a Hungarian sporting dog, Vizslas are great exercise companions who are affectionate, friendly, and easy to train"and they don’t shed much.Like Vizslas, these sleek dogs are a loyal, low-maintenance, easy-to-train breed, but they tend to be shy around children and other dogs.Boston terrier. If you’re a couch potato, a Boston terrier may suit you well. These pups are friendly and loyal. They don’t require a lot of exercise, and they won’t shed much on your couch.Australian cattle dog. If you’re into cuddling, this breed will greet you with open arms at the end of a long day. They’re a wonderful first dog, easy to train, although they do enjoy regular exercise and require regular grooming.German Pinscher. These dogs are active but very obedient, and are especially adorable as puppies. They rarely shed and training them is usually easy and fun.These fluffy, adorable little dogs of the Bichon type are one of the most loving and sociable breeds. They may take a little more time to train, but their cheerful demeanor will turn first-time pet owners into dog owners for life.

Are you interested in learning more about real estate? Feel free to contact me directly.

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Are you looking to add spice to your home cooking, but not heat? Here are five interesting flavors to try, while sparing your mouth from fire.

Cumin. With a mild, earthy flavor, cumin goes great in curries without adding any heat, and has been known to aid digestion and improve your immune system.

Coriander. Did you know coriander seeds come from the cilantro plant? This spice has a nutty, mild flavor and is great for creating rubs, adding to homemade pickles or putting in a curry.

Smoked paprika. While paprika is derived from the pepper plant, it doesn’t pack the heat that its cousin cayenne does. And this smoky version can add depth to chilis and stews without firing up your mouth.

Turmeric. This bright root has a bold flavor, but no spicy zing, and is wonderful for treating inflammation. You can add it to smoothies, soups, stir-fry’s and more.

Sumac. Popular in middle-eastern cuisine, this spice has a bold lemony flavor. Use it to flavor rice, sprinkle on top of cooked vegetables or add to salad dressings.

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Reverse mortgages allow seniors to access their home equity to cover living expenses.

However, some seniors might later decide to move closer to family or need to go to a nursing home.

Selling your house with a reverse mortgage is similar to selling a home with a standard mortgage.

The money from a sale would need to pay off the loan balance, and any remaining money would be yours to keep.

Before listing your house, contact your lender to find out your payoff amount, and make sure selling in the current market would make financial sense.

A real estate agent can inform your decision and walk you through the process.

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