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Is there anything more refreshing than watermelon in the summer? Here’s an easy, fast, and healthy way to enjoy it in a protein-packed smoothie. Enjoy! Ingredients: 1 cup fresh watermelon (cut into 1-inch chunks) 1 cup frozen strawberries 1/2 banana (peeled & frozen, cut into chunks) 1/2 cup almond milk (or other non-dairy milk) 1/2 Medjool date, pitted (optional) 1 scoop vanilla protein powder Directions: Add all ingredients into a high-speed blender. Blend until smooth. Pou

Have you ever noticed that when you're tired, hungry, stressed, and haven't exercised in days… everything feels harder? You have less patience. You worry more. Little problems feel like big problems. You can't focus. And somehow the laundry becomes the final straw. It's tempting to think, "I just need to get my mindset right." But what if mindset isn't the place to start? I've been reading Brain Energy by psychiatrist Dr. Chris Palmer, and one of the things that struck me mos

The other night, a handful of our ProActive members and I went to see Bonnie Raitt in concert. As we made our way through the crowd, we kept bumping into other ProActive members. It was fun seeing so many familiar faces outside the gym, all of us enjoying a great night of music together. I expected a good concert because I've always liked Bonnie Raitt's music. What I got was much more than that. Her voice was incredible—honestly, if you closed your eyes, you could have believ

Swapping beef for turkey will save you calories and fat. In this recipe, adapted from “Jerusalem: A Cookbook,” grated zucchini adds fiber and keeps these patties nice and juicy. Fresh herbs, garlic, and a dose of cumin perk up the taste. Frying them in olive oil adds another layer of caramelized flavor, and a dollop of citrus-infused yogurt provides just the right tart, creamy contrast. Serves 4-6. – Susan Puckett Lemony Yogurt Sauce: • 2/3 cup plain Greek yogurt • 1 tablespo

For people over 50 who know they should exercise but don’t, it’s always one thing after another. They say they don’t have the time. Or the money. Or they’re too old... But none of that will keep you independent as you age. It won’t keep you strong enough to enjoy life on your own terms. And it won’t keep your weight down, regulate your blood pressure, or provide a key social outlet. Facts are: You have the time, money and motivation. What kills time, eats money, withers motiv

Three-bean salad is a staple for picnics, cookouts, and potlucks. It’s easy to make and tote and goes well with everything. This slight adaptation from a recipe on The Mediterranean Dish website is richer in protein, with chickpeas and cannellini beans joining the red kidney. Add crumbled feta and it’s a meal in itself. Save time and use bottled dressing. Serves 8. – Susan Puckett Vinaigrette: · 2 garlic cloves, minced · 1 ½ teaspoons Dijon mustard · 2

This easy one-pan meal is lightly adapted from one by Melissa Clark on the New York Times cooking app. Inspired by the vibrant Thai meat salad called larb, it starts with crumbled ground turkey and red onions that sizzle together until browned and crispy. It’s low in fat, high in protein and fiber, inexpensive, and lightning-fast to make. Serve it warm or room temperature with rice, Asian noodles, or flatbread. Or skip the carbs and scoop it up with crisp lettuce leaves. Se

Bone health might be one of the most important topics for anyone over 50. It is always a good time to take stock of where your bones stand and what you're doing to protect them. Here are the facts that matter most. 1. It's more common than most people realize. An estimated 2.5 million Canadians have osteoporosis and up to 54% of post-menopausal women have osteopenia (low bone density). It's a widespread condition that often goes undetected until something breaks. 2. Fractures

Smoked salmon instantly elevates an ordinary bagel with rich, smoky flavor plus high-quality protein and heart-healthy omega-3s. And it can work the same magic on a simple green salad. Here, crumbled goat cheese stands in for the traditional cream cheese schmear, and avocado chunks, cherry tomatoes, cukes, and red onion slices join forces to make a colorful, nutrient-packed meal in a bowl. Serves 4-6. – Susan Puckett Dressing · 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice or white

A handy recipe for the next time you need an irresistible appetizer. Ingredients: · 1 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed · ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese · ½ cup prepared fresh salsa · 4 8-inch whole-wheat tortillas · 2 teaspoons canola oil, divided · 1 ripe avocado, diced Directions: 1. Combine beans, cheese and ¼ cup salsa in a medium bowl. 2. Place tortillas on a work surface. 3. Spread ½ cup filling on

There’s something about this time of year that just feels right for a reset. Especially when it FINALLY feels like spring around here. I mean, it’s been—what—17 whole days since our last snowstorm in Saskatoon? Practically tropical. Windows are opening, people are reappearing outside, and there’s that collective sense of “Okay! We made it.” And yet, for some reason, we’ve all been conditioned to believe that January is the time to set big goals and reinvent ourselves. Which,

A few weeks ago, I revisited a book that I first read about two years ago, The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter, and it's been on my mind a lot lately. The premise is simple, but a bit uncomfortable (which is kind of the point): modern life has made things so easy, so convenient, so COMFORTABLE, that we’ve lost our ability—and sometimes even our willingness—to do hard things. And that becomes a problem. Especially as we get older. Because life doesn’t stop asking hard things

There’s a sneaky little shift that can happen as we get older, and if we’re not careful, it starts running the show. We look backward more than forward. We think about what we used to do.How we used to feel.How things used to be “easier.” And just like that, we start comparing our current selves to a past version, who, let’s be honest, had a completely different life, schedule, and set of responsibilities. Not exactly a fair fight. But here’s the thing: possibility doesn’t

Fried rice is great for turning leftovers and kitchen scraps into a quick meal that’s as delicious as it is frugal. Timing and organization are key. This recipe, slightly adapted from one in Atlanta Michelin-starred chef Ron Hsu’s new cookbook, “Down South +East: A Chinese American Cookbook,” written with Hugh Amano, is a prime example. Make sure you have all the ingredients prepped and ready to go near the stove before you start. Collards and kimchi (available ready-made in

When Kim’s new grandbaby comes to visit, she doesn’t think twice about carrying him up and down the stairs. Between visits, she carries a 15-pound weight on those same stairs — just to stay ready. That’s the kind of practical, purposeful thinking that defines her approach to fitness at 70. Since joining a gym with her husband, Rick, 74, last year, Kim has lost 25 pounds and dropped a clothing size. But those numbers aren’t really the point. “I’m more fit now than I was 10 yea

Healthy deviled eggs made with Greek yogurt (that’s right, no mayo!) get a Mediterranean twist in this easy to make holiday appetizer recipe. Prep Time: 10minutes mins Cook Time: 15minutes mins Total Time: 25minutes mins Gluten Free 12 servings Author: Suzy Karadsheh on https://www.themediterraneandish.com/healthy-deviled-eggs/ Ingredients - 6 large eggs - ¼ cup Greek yogurt - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard - Kosher Salt - ½ teaspoon garlic powder - Sweet or smoked Spanish paprika,

What if it goes badly? That’s the question most of us ask on autopilot. What if I fail? What if I look stupid? What if I can’t keep it up? What if this doesn’t work for me? And just like that, we’ve talked ourselves out of trying. Or we show up half-heartedly, already bracing for disappointment. But here’s a thought I’ve been coming back to lately: What if it goes right? What if this time you do follow through? What if your body responds better than you expect? What if you ac

Farro is a wholesome 20,000-year-old form of wheat that’s become a staple in many fitness-minded kitchens. It’s rich in fiber, protein, and antioxidants. And its mildly nutty flavor and chewy texture pairs well with all kinds of ingredients. Serve it as a side dish alongside any protein and veggie for one night, and reserve half for a hearty grain bowl the next. Here it’s joined by sauteed and well-seasoned shrimp, colorful quick-cooked vegetables, crumbled feta, and toasted

Karen Bridges had a moment of clarity that a lot of people over 50 will recognize. She was having trouble doing ordinary daily things, like working in the garden. Her balance was faltering. Her desk job kept her sedentary all day, and earlier years of being active "off and on" ended with the pandemic. "I hit a wall of reality," the 65-year-old says. "I realized that if I didn't change anything in my life, then nothing would change." That mindset shift made all the difference.