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People are living longer than ever, but not always better. There’s a 13-year gap between lifespan and “healthspan,” the years we spend in good health. Closing that gap is one of the biggest opportunities of our time, especially since adults over 65 soon will outnumber those under 18. AARP CEO Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan recently outlined five lessons for aging well: recharge your mind daily, move your body, set new goals, think beyond retirement, and build community. Each one m

Makes 6 heaping cups   If you’re wracking your brain for a last-minute edible gift for a health-minded friend, bypass the cookies and fudge and whip up a batch of this low-sugar, high protein granola instead.  Dried cranberries, crystallized ginger, and fragrant warm spices give this blend a holiday vibe. But the basic formula can easily be customized with whatever nuts, seeds, and dried fruits you have on hand. Package in jars or small bags labeled and tied with ribbon. But

Anytime we think about gratitude, most people often put their health high on the list.   And not much boosts your health quite like healthy habits – including regularly exercising, eating right, sleeping well, and managing stress.   It’s always a good time to express gratitude. And here are a few more items to add to your gratitude list, all related to how fitness enriches our lives at any age. Can you think of any others?   You ’re never too old to start exercising and see

Hot, gooey artichoke dip is a reliable party-pleaser. This version, lightly adapted from Martha Stewart’s website, delivers just as much satisfaction without any guilt. Just whirl everything together in the food processor or blender and you’re good to go. Plain Greek yogurt — full-fat or no-fat — stands in for the mayo; the reserved marinade from the artichokes supplies seasonings and tang; a few anchovies (or anchovy paste) give it a boost of umami; and a generous handful of

Here’s a gentle reminder I could probably tape to my own forehead this time of year: Rest matters. A lot. I talk a lot about workouts, consistency, and “not losing momentum,” especially around the holidays. But here’s the part that doesn’t get nearly enough attention: the good stuff from your workouts actually happens after you’re done. Muscles rebuild when you rest. Energy comes back when you pause. Progress depends on recovery. And it’s not just about your body. December h

Refreshing as it is in the heat of summer, a pitcher of sangria fits right in with a holiday spread as well by adjusting the fruits and flavors to the season. This recipe shows how you can easily turn that concept into a healthy mocktail by swapping pomegranate juice for the red wine and supplementing with freshly brewed tea and cinnamon sticks. Vary the fruits to your desires: cranberries, grapes, pears, pineapple chunks. Cranberry juice could be used instead of pomegranate

I’ve always believed age is much more about outlook than the number on your birthday cake—but this weekend gave me the perfect reminder. On Saturday, my husband and I were supposed to go to an alt-rock concert together in Edmonton. Think loud, sweaty, political, and full of energy. The kind of show that makes your ears ring for two days. The crowd? Mainly 18–30-year-olds, a few dozen Millennials and a handful of Gen X'ers like me —a 58-year-old woman who still loves a good wa

The holiday season can be a tough time to stick to a healthy diet, especially if you’re vegetarian or vegan. This festive salad on the table ensures no one will feel deprived. Heart-healthy, antioxidant-rich wild rice provides an earthy, nutty-tasting base for a colorful mélange of cool-weather produce. Apples, pears, pomegranate arils, and any kind of nut could also make themselves at home here. Serves 4. – Susan Puckett Dressing: • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice • 1 tables

Every December, I hear the same thing: " I’ll get back on track in January.” "This month is just too busy.” “I’ll start fresh after the holidays.” If that sounds familiar, you’re definitely not alone. But here’s the truth I want to offer you today: December doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful. You don’t need a full workout plan or a meticulously prepped fridge to feel good this month. What matters most right now is momentum — even tiny bits of it. And I’ll be honest… I

Who’s your favourite superhero? Maybe it’s Wonder Woman, Thor, or Superman. But if you’re over 50 and working on your health, you’ve already earned the cape, even if you’ve never worn one. Real-life superheroes show up, day after day, and do the hard things. And in fitness, that means working out even when it’s uncomfortable or you’d rather be doing something else. Take Jerry, for example. He ran his first Spartan Race at age 75. He trained for months, modified movements to p

This rustic Turkish-inspired recipe is adapted from one in Christopher Kimball’s “Milk Street Shorts: Recipes That Pack a Punch.” It is a great example of how you can add flavor to simmered chicken with a couple of spices and pantry staples. The trick is to brown the tomato paste with the olive oil and garlic first to the point that it looks like it’s beginning to burn. A simple green salad and hunk of crusty bread complete the meal. Serves 4-6. – Susan Puckett Ingredients •

Have you ever noticed that sometimes the things that feel good in the moment don’t actually move you closer to feeling your best? That’s the difference between self-soothing and self-care . Self-soothing is about comfort right now. Think: Curling up with a blanket and Netflix A glass of wine at the end of a long day Treating yourself to dessert There’s nothing wrong with any of these. In fact, we all need ways to soothe ourselves in stressful moments. But here’s the catch:

Ingredients: ·         2 cups oat flour ·         1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips ·         1 tsp baking soda ·         2 tsp baking powder ·         1 1/4 tsp cinnamon ·         1/2 tsp salt ·         2/3 cup maple syrup ·         2 large eggs, room temperature ·         1/3 cup of oil or melted unsalted butter ·         1 cup unsweetened applesauce ·         1/2 cup of unsweetened milk Directions: • Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a muffin tin with liners; set aside. •

Ever flop on the couch at the end of the day—phone in hand, snack nearby—scrolling, watching, snacking… …but somehow you still wake up the next morning  exhausted ? You’re not alone. Most of us are really good at  checking out —but not so good at  resting . Here’s the thing: Numbing out  feels like rest in the moment… but it rarely leaves you feeling restored.  True rest  actually nourishes your body, mind, and nervous system—so you can show up for your life with more energy,

Giambotta is a rustic one-pot vegetable stew bursting with late-summer flavors that hails from Calabria, Italy. This version is lightly adapted from one in “Vegana Italiana: Traditional Italian the Plant-Based Way” by Tara Punzone. The key to success is in the layering of the veggies and herbs. Give the hearty aromatics a head start before adding the rest of the ingredients in the order given. You want to make sure each is cooked to desired tenderness without turning mushy. A

Here we are — November already. Only two months left in the year. And they're going to fly by - they always do! It’s easy to think, “I’ll just get through the holidays and start fresh in January. ” But let’s be honest — that “fresh start” gets a lot harder when we spend the last stretch of the year coasting. Every week you don’t move, plan, or fuel well now means a steeper climb in January. And if this pattern sounds familiar — easing up every November and December, then “st

Are you feeling SAD already this year? Maybe not. It’s probably too early for full-blown Seasonal Affective Disorder. But as days get shorter, nights get longer, and the holidays creep closer, it’s not too early to talk about exhaustion. We all get tired, but sometimes that fatigue runs deeper than a few late nights. Experts say there are three overlapping kinds of exhaustion that can sneak up on you. At this time of year, you might be feeling all three. 1. Everyday exhaustio

At 82 years old, retired physiotherapist Gary proves that age is no barrier to staying active and thriving. While visiting family in Saskatoon, Gary discovered ProActive Fitness. Frustrated with not finding a fitness program that met his needs back home in BC, he decided to give us a try. Fast forward a year, and Gary is still going strong with twice-weekly Zoom sessions led by trainer, Jessica. The full body, functional workouts have been the perfect fit for him — challengin

When it comes to resistance training, you don’t always need tons of equipment. Some powerful tools are small, simple, and easily...

When life feels busy and overwhelming, it’s easy to tell yourself: “I’ll start exercising when things slow down.” But here’s the...