Tips, Transitions, and Future Plans: Living and Aging Artfully
Random, eclectic...and always evolving
No essay this week.
As December closes out another chapter, I’m taking time to share a few random things I’ve learned this past year—stuff that really stood out and might be helpful for you too.
Food and diet
Incorporate more fiber into your diet.
Dietary fiber has a significant impact on health and aging. Studies show that as fiber intake increases, the risk of disease and premature death decreases. In short, fiber is a vital part of healthy aging.—Nutrients Journal
What does this mean for you and me?
As we age, eating more fiber helps keep digestion running smoothly, regulates blood sugar levels, and supports heart health—all important as our bodies slow down.
Fiber can also reduce inflammation, which helps slow the progression of osteoarthritis.—National Institute of Health (of particular interest to me)
I tried following the usual nutritional advice—legumes, beans, fortified cereals, nuts, seeds, etc.—but found it too hard to track daily. So, I came up with a breakfast that packs in almost the entire daily fiber requirement to start the day off right.
My secret weapon
Fiber-enriched tortillas! These are versatile and can even double as snacks between meals. Just slather on some hummus, refried beans, avocado, or even melt some cheese and top with a little salsa.
Here’s how I build my fiber-packed breakfast:
One fiber-filled tortilla (10 grams of fiber)
Scoop of refried or black beans (5 grams of fiber)— cottage cheese (not a fiber source) can be used for texture
Avocado (13.5 grams of fiber)
Three eggs (3 whites, 1 yolk)
Garnish with fresh salsa, a sprinkle of cilantro, and a bit of chopped Serrano pepper for flavor.
You can get creative with the filling, but use the fiber-filled tortilla as a base.
Drink one or two cups of hot water daily
Warm water can do wonders for your body. It helps improve blood circulation, delivering oxygen and nutrients to the brain, which supports better overall brain function. It’s also known to reduce stress and anxiety, providing a calming effect on the nervous system.
Drinking warm water can aid digestion by relaxing the muscles of your digestive tract and helping food move more easily. It can also help flush out toxins, giving your metabolism a gentle boost. Plus, it supports cognitive function, memory, and concentration—all key to maintaining a healthy nervous system.
Here in Michigan, the weather is brutal for most of the year. I get cold on the inside—the kind of chill that seeps right into your bones. I used to take three or four hot baths a day just to stay comfortable.
A few months ago, I read that drinking hot water can help stave off cognitive diseases. Since I started drinking mostly hot water, the baths are no longer necessary, and my mind feels sharper. Plus, it keeps me hydrated, which isn’t easy in winter when not sweating.
Here’s a link that shares the benefits of drinking hot water.
Cultures around the world drink hot water for various reasons. Over the years, I worked with many Chinese co-workers, and one thing I learned from them was enjoying hot water while working.
Quick tip for an afternoon or evening energy boost: Eat oranges and drink green tea or hot water. It’s a fast pick-me-up, similar to eating a candy bar, but without the sugar rush—and the crash that comes after.
Exercise
I had to give up running and high-impact exercises after being diagnosed with osteoporosis—at least for now.
To stay active, I’ve made some adjustments. I put a rebounder in the living room, take short walks or bike rides for 15 minutes after meals, and still lift weights, though with lighter loads and more reps. In other words, I’ve had to compromise and find new ways to keep moving and maintain flexibility as I age. It really is true: if we don’t use it, we lose it.
The hardest part of this has been staying motivated. I’ve never thought of movement as “exercise.” Counting steps? Completely absurd. What has our American lifestyle come to, that we need step counters just to track how much we move?
The gym is no longer my playground; it’s now the place where I go for physical therapy.
That said, I’m learning to embrace these changes by focusing on what I can do rather than what I’ve had to give up. Staying motivated comes from reframing my mindset—I now see movement as a way to stay independent and enjoy life longer, rather than something I’m “supposed” to do.
In the future, I know I’ll need to keep adjusting. I might try water classes or Pilate’s-based exercises. Staying motivated, for me, will be about staying curious and open to new ways of moving—even when the options look different than they used to.
Of course, there’s one other option that’s constantly on my mind: moving to a different country to explore a lifestyle that isn’t so dependent on cars for everything.
This is all part of artfully aging.
Two exercises we should all incorporate into our routine.
Dead Bug
Dead Bug Benefits: The dead bug exercise is a safe and effective way to strengthen and stabilize your core, spine, and back muscles. This improves your posture and helps relieve and prevent low back pain. You'll also improve balance and coordination.
Bridge
Bridge benefits: Adequate hip extension strength is needed for the leg to push off the ground to move forward when walking, stepping up when climbing stairs, and standing up from a seated position. The bridge exercise improves leg stability by strengthening the hips and glutes. (Ever notice most of us over 50 have flat rear ends?)
What I’m listening to
The How To podcast focuses on building a better life, navigating relationships, and making positive changes. The Verywell Mind podcast discusses improving psychological well-being and building mental strength. The Huberman Lab podcast explores aging, biohacking, and strategies for aging in place.
Recommended Substacks
She’s a dynamo in online writing, sharing a wealth of valuable information. If you’re ever interested in starting your own writing career, she’s the person to connect with. She’s encouraged me to keep going to find my way, not easy for a beginning writer.
This duo is all about fun travel tips, awesome adventures around the world, and insider advice for getting out there. They’re super funny, and the photos are next-level. One of them’s a screenwriter, so the stories they share are always with a flair for crazy. If you have any urges to do traveling ‘outside of the box’ this is the place to find information and details not typically found in travel guides.
This wild, former nurse from Kentucky turned globe-trotter decided to shake things up by buying a finca farm and settling in rural Colombia. She’s blazing her own trail and looking at life through a microscopic lens—inviting her readers to do the same. For fun, she films YouTube videos while working the farm, machete in hand, which has become of an extension of her being. If you’re thinking about relocating to another country, outside of your comfort zone Sara is the one to inspire you. She has done this for me, though we are different as night and day.
Socializing
I’m more active now, but definitely more selective. This shift has helped me build confidence and connect with a tribe that energizes me instead of draining me. It’s opened doors to exploring new activities and stepping out of my comfort zone.
At one time, working in casinos was what fueled my social life. Every day, I met new people, kibitzed with coworkers, and enjoyed the hustle and bustle that defined my world. But living in rural Michigan, especially in an HOA, has made socializing more of a challenge. It’s forced me to rethink how I connect with others—and it’s been a good stretch in all the right ways.
In 2025, I’m taking things up a notch by entertaining at home. For those who know me, you’re aware our condo has been pretty bare for the past five years. Well, last week, I finally gave in and bought a leather sofa. We added two leather chairs and an end table. Here’s the kicker: I hate leather. But each piece won me over—comfort and condition took the lead. Everything came from consignment shops, and so far, no regrets. Of course there’s a lot more to be done, but at least moving forward I’ll no longer be embarrassed about people coming in and having to sit on the floor.
We’re still on track to move once Carl retires, as I’ve mentioned before. My thirst for adventure is pulling me toward a different part of the world. Colombia is at the top of our list—it’s easy to travel to and explore from where we live now. Eventually, we’ll choose another overseas destination, but that’s a decision for later, once we’ve made our final decision on Colombia.
If we decide to stay in the U.S., Michigan seems like the most cost-effective choice. However, I don’t want to base our future solely on cost-effectiveness.
Aging artfully is about much more than just money. It’s about living with joy and embracing the best version of life we can. Wherever we land, we’ll give it our all to make it work.
Great tips here, Patti. Thanks for sharing!
Being immunocompromised, I started drinking room-temperature lemon water in the morning for Vitamin C and other health benefits. After reading this, I will 'turn up the temperature.'
Thank you for the knowledge Patti! You should look into Roatan, Honduras too!