July is upon us. Know what happens in July? Heat, humidity, coupled with depressing economic times, a lazy feeling. The condition is known as the summer doldrums though economic conditions are not usually one of the causes (they are this year!). Do not think the FDA or CDC are investigating what is a common summer ailment. Do you have the symptoms? Read the rest of this entry »

At a time when threatened cuts in Medicare reimbursement rates could make it increasingly difficult for physicians to treat Medicare patients, many doctors are rethinking keeping Medicare patients as part of their practice. There is also a terrible scarcity of geriatricians (doctors that specialize in those over 65). Yet this is a population that deserves to remain active and independent. Read the rest of this entry »

In my usual first-Tuesday-of-the-month rush last week, I ended up creating a dish that had “single male” written all over it. Like my honey baked chicken, this one has just three ingredients and is incredibly easy.

After sitting in hot, sticky rush hour traffic for longer than expected on a Tuesday evening, I arrived home, stomach growling, to a relatively empty refrigerator. Luckily I had just bought a bag of frozen chicken breasts (I’m testing these and comparing them to buying fresh and freezing). Among the few items in my fridge: One lone nectarine ripening in the fruit bin and a 1/4 full jar of Newman’s Own Mango Salsa. My wheels started turning. In my opinion the salsa didn’t go all that well with chips, but perhaps it would compliment a chicken breast!

Tip: Don’t limit ingredients to what they’re “supposed” to be used for. Get creative!

Here’s what I came up with:

Recipe: Mango Salsa Chicken
Serves one

1 chicken breast, fresh or frozen
1 nectarine or peach, pitted and sliced
1/4 cup mango or peach-mango salsa, divided

If chicken is frozen, thaw it in a bowl of hot water. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Coat bottom of a small dutch oven with a thin layer oil, lay chicken in center, and cover with half of salsa. Flip chicken and cover other side. Arrange nectarine slices around chicken. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes. Check chicken with a knife after 30 minutes and bake until juice runs clear.

My box of fresh produce from Washington’s Green Grocer arrived yesterday! I got the small box, which looks like it’s going to be the perfect size and will last me two weeks until the next one arrives (I ordered bi-weekly delivery). Here’s what I got:

Two tomatoes, three ears of corn, two zucchini, two cucumbers … Read the rest of this entry »

Thanks to Kim O’Donnel’s “A Might Appetite” post last Friday and some conversation it sparked in the comments, I’m going to take on her Eat Local Challenge but add a twist: Eat local and single.

The Anne Arundel County challenge runs from July 19-27, so I will be posting dishes made with as many local ingredients as possible. Hopefully between planting my garden this week, getting my first delivery of local produce from Washington’s Green Grocer today (yay!), and shopping at the Annapolis farmer’s market on Sunday, I’ll be good to go.

Stay tuned for fresh photos and cool recipes! And join me if you want. Click here for the Buy Local Challenge website.

According to a recent survey done  by the Pew Institute, “Baby Boomers: The Gloomiest Generation”. Who knew? Pew states: Members of the large generation born from 1946 to 1964 are more downbeat about their lives than are adults who are younger or older. Read the rest of this entry »

No Sex Drive? Your Medications Might Be the Cause for the 65 Plus population, seniors, boomers and beyond

Use of certain drugs, including antidepressants, anticonvulsants, chemotherapy drugs, or even beta-blockers for high blood pressure can reduce your sex drive, as can excessive amounts of alcohol. Any medication that affects your nervous system might have some detrimental effects. See information at bottom of blog. Read the rest of this entry »

Humor in Heaven, Guess a Good Laugh was needed there: Dody Goodman and George Carlin

Dody Goodman, the comedian known for her television appearances on Jack Paar’s late-night talk show and as the mother on the show “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman,” died Sunday at 93. Do you remember Dody? I used to watch her on Jack Paar. She had a unique voice.

George Carlin, who had a history of heart trouble, also died Sunday evening after entering a California Hospital complaining of chest pains. Read the rest of this entry »

Putting Out the Big Secret: Dispelling the myths about sex and older adults

To get the print edition of this Consumer Health Education Newsletter or other copies of our monthly free newsletters, visit www.erichsonhealth.com

Myth: Older adults aren’t having sex.
Fact: The biggest fallacy is that it doesn’t happen. Yes, it does happen, and people are still interested. The interest is less. The activity is less. But it’s still there and shouldn’t be ignored. In fact, 25–55% of those 65-plus reported having sex in the past year.

Read the rest of this entry »

The fresh Greek feta I bought to make hummus didn’t crumble dryly in my hand. It was wet and rubbery and felt soft but dense against my tongue. It’s saltiness first stung my taste buds, then melted into my palate, smoky and smooth.

I roughly crumbled half of the white feta slab into my food processor, where I had already pureed a hummus base of chick peas, garlic, lemon juice, tahini, and olive oil. My kitchen smelled divinely Mediterranean. I pulsed the processor a few times to incorporate the cheese, then loaded in a handful or two of cheap, canned black olives.

Pulse, pulse, pulse. Taste.

Smoky, salty, velvety, and spiked with the zest of garlic and a hint of lemon. The olives and feta complimented each other and rounded out a more robust hummus than my usual attempts.

Read the rest of this entry »