Author: HairWeavings Editorial Team

Eating at home can be better and more fun than dining out every day. In this article I share seven ways to make home food preparation interesting.

For many years, it was my responsibility to feed our family of seven, three healthy meals a day. I decided to approach meal preparation as a hobby to keep myself engaged. Now, my years of others relying on me for meals are gone.

However, eating out presents some challenges to maintaining the healthy approach to life my husband and I are intent on following. A focus on nutrition, some food allergies and our slowing metabolism that seems to accompany the accumulation of birthdays, makes regular eating out a challenge.

Cooking for fewer people has required some adjustments, but I am finding that cooking at home for most of our meals is not only better for us, but it can be fun and gives us some new shared interests.

Here are some ways we keep meal prep from becoming boring.

Find New Recipes

Cooking shows on television can inspire new recipes. Themes, slants, approaches, points of view… any time of day on multiple channels, there are cooking shows to inspire.

Websites can be of much help! For instance, Pinterest.com is a great source of recipe inspiration. Have coconut milk in your cabinet and need inspiration to use it? You can find a multitude of options there. Want to make gluten-free, vegan brownies? There will be a number of recipes to choose from.

Want a new take on meatloaf or spaghetti? Or need to know how to use that mystery ingredient that your gardening neighbor bestowed? Find it online.

My daughter has almost replaced me with AllRecipes.com. She has found family favorites there that were handed down to me, hand-written on 3×5 index cards.

We subscribe to at least one food related magazine at all times. When it comes, I sit and peruse all possibilities and tear out the pages with foods we might like to try. If we try it and like it, it gets filed. If it is forgettable, out it goes.

Try New Foods

When I say we like to try ‘new’ foods, I don’t necessarily mean ‘weird’ – unless weird sounds good!

Growing up, our vegetable choices consisted of pretty much green beans, peas, corn or carrots. I remember broccoli showing up when I was in my 20s as a ‘new’ veggie. Zucchini came a little after that.

Now, with improved refrigeration, shipping and preservation methods, you can get all sorts of foods that were unknown to you even a few years ago.

Try something new! You might like it!

Explore Different Cuisines

When we moved to the small-ish ‘micro-urban’ community we live in, more years ago that I can believe, there were three restaurants in town, not counting the common fast food places.

One was a chain family restaurant, one was locally owned and had good burgers and sodas and soups, and the third was a more-upscale Italian-ish place.

Now, same town, we can choose from a long list of places to eat different cuisines. Thai, Indian (from different regions), Mexican (both authentic and Tex-Mex), Chinese (buffet, sit-down, carry-out), Korean (especially if we are willing to brave the campus area) – and others, of which I am sure I am not currently aware.

So many options for so much fun and exploration!

Buy Unusual (to You) Ingredients

My husband is an avid runner. As he has had more birthdays, he has gotten more interested in the mechanics and technology of long distance running. Several of the books he has ordered in the past few years have opened us up to new ingredients.

We now store several types of miso in our refrigerator. Seaweed. Tahini. Quinoa. Agave syrup. Chia seeds. Various types of ‘milk’. And we are learning how to use them successfully.

Turmeric is a new spice to us. We now have garam masala and cumin on the spice shelf. I discovered ginger juice that I use regularly, and the oil and vinegar stores know me by name. Wild mushroom and sage olive oil is my favorite, while balsamic fig vinegar is all I need on a salad.

Learn New Techniques

Back to television, watching competitive cooking shows has taught me a lot. PBS has great cooking shows for techniques, as do other broadcast channels.

Even simpler television cooking shows have introduced me to smashing garlic gloves with the side of a knife to easily remove the skins and having a ‘discard bowl’ nearby to save time when chopping and preparing.

Googling recipes for gluten-free bread has given me information I needed to have a measure of success in baking yeast bread with flours that are not made from wheat – which required me to buy and learn to use unusual ingredients.

A simple technique I ran across online made my bread go from flat to raised, actually resembling the wheat bread I made for years.

Remember Old Favorites

Don’t forget those old family favorites. I remember once, when I was on a roll to make meals interesting to our children, that my husband requested spaghetti – at least once a year. I had gotten so into meal prep that for one whole year, I never repeated a recipe.

Variety being the spice of life and all that, he just wanted an occasional ‘comfort’ meal, even though he did assure me he enjoyed my creative efforts.

Now, with me being gluten-free and us both watching our caloric intake, we can substitute wheat spaghetti for squash ones and add a favorite sauce. Chili is easily accomplished in the crockpot. He has perfected nachos that are healthy and tasty. Sometimes, the old favorites hit the spot.

Divorce Yourself from Perfection

Food prep and dining at home should be fun and nutritional, not perfect. When you are trying new ingredients, or preparing new recipes or learning new techniques, sometimes it comes out less than what it looked like on television or online.

No worries! If it is edible, then that is success. If it is not – which will happen rarely, I promise! – then, don’t eat it. It’s as simple as that.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Do you enjoy cooking at home? What have you found to be successful for at-home meal preparation? What new ingredients have you tried? What will you never try again? Please share your experiences and insights below!

As the holiday season approaches, I often think about those who are Suddenly Single – and have recently experienced life-altering events such as divorce, widowhood, or separation. Especially during the holidays, overwhelming feelings of loneliness and isolation can be tough to fight off. The cheerful festivities that are meant to foster togetherness can magnify the sense of being alone.

How can we help ourselves or others who find themselves suddenly single during the holidays? Here are some tips from women who have experienced it first-hand.

A Change of Scenery

Get out of the house. It’s normal to feel especially sad or frustrated after losing a spouse, particularly around the time of special occasions. You may have been bogged down with paperwork and phone calls trying to move forward with this new life. Or maybe you feel like you’re spinning your wheels since so many updates seem to take you into “hurry up and wait” mode.

One widow recently lamented that she feels stuck in a rut from it all. “I need to get back out there!” is what she decided. So maybe a change of scenery would help. Consider attending some events you used to go to or try something you have never done.

Focusing on others can also help. There are often many volunteer opportunities this time of year. Helping others can combat loneliness and provide a sense of fulfillment. Or start a new tradition. Instead of Turkey Day or Christmas Eve at your house, for example, perhaps another location becomes the new tradition or a rotating cycle begins.

A New Focus… on You

Put yourself first for a change. Your new life should focus on including self-care. I reminded a woman who lost her husband earlier this year to move herself to the front burner, instead of the back burner.

She recognized a long-ignored need to address her knee pain. I never knew she had knee pain since she kept it to herself, ignored it long enough to forget about it for a while, and likely wasn’t walking enough to notice it since she was busy caring for her husband. We are so good at loving others, but now is the time to shine the spotlight on yourself.

Finding Your Circle of Support

Reach out to support systems. Lean on friends and family. Share your feelings and seek their support. I’ve heard some women consider a support group or counseling as a sign of weakness. Others are not comfortable in a group setting or sharing with others they don’t know. Everyone is different, and that’s okay too. Support and connection can come in many forms. But going it all alone is rarely the most helpful.

I know women who have attended GriefShare or DivorceCare as one option for support. Some attended the series multiple times. It’s like watching a movie or reading a book more than once since you get something different out of it each time because you are in a different place each time.

One divorced woman I know volunteered to facilitate the class as another way to continue helping herself and others at the same time. There are virtual options, too. The Modern Widows Club, for example, has both virtual and in-person support options.

Conversely, one widow told me she attended GriefShare only to find herself reliving the difficult emotions she thought she had moved through already, so she stopped going. Everyone experiences loss differently, so not every form of support is the best fit for every person.

More Resources

Many challenges come with loss. In my line of work, I most often see the financial side. This is why I developed a “Suddenly Single Money Bundle” and/or free financial planning calendar ацhere. It can help to have tools to use that allow you to keep up with life’s changes and keep you moving through stressful times.

Remember, it’s okay to have a range of feelings during the holidays. With self-compassion and support, you can navigate this season with resilience. Wishing you much understanding, healing, and the strength to embrace the next chapter of your life this season and forever forward!

You may also enjoy A WIDOW’S DECISION: BETTER OR BITTER?

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What are your plans for the holiday season? Any words of advice to share with others in your shoes? How can we support women alone at this or any time of year? Let’s have a conversation!

Originally posted at: Venita Aspen’s Black Embellished Tweed Jacket

As we enter their 60s, we often find ourselves with more free time and fewer responsibilities than we had during our younger years.

While this newfound freedom can be liberating, it can also be challenging to fill the extra hours with meaningful and enjoyable activities.

In my case, I turned to writing while also exploring more of my comedic talents via acting and public speaking.

You certainly don’t have to be a writer or actor to access more of your creativity after 60. What you do need is an open mind and a willingness to allow your inner child a safe space to play and create without limits as she once did.

In the fifth and final article and video of this five-part series for Sixty and Me readers on “The Healing Power of Laughter,” you will learn new, playful ways to activate your creative side through laughter.

Overcome Challenges to Creativity

Creativity knows no age limit. All of us are born with an unlimited supply of creativity, which means you can engage in creative pursuits well beyond 60.

There are, however, certain challenges we all face when it comes to being more creative. Whatever your personal challenge may be, to overcome it you must first acknowledge the story behind the perceived challenge.

By bringing the story out of the dark recesses of your mind and into the light of your awareness, you can see the limiting beliefs that frame it. This means you can see the truth of that story, making it easier to no longer allow it to define you.

To help you identify your challenges, here are four common obstacles women face when wanting to be more creative after 60.

1. Confidence & Self-Expression
2. Imposter Syndrome
3. Limited Time & Energy
4. Perceived Lack of Relevance

I share more insights on each of these in the accompanying video you can find above the article.

An important part of redefining yourself after 60 is to recognize and honor how these challenges have affected your beliefs about your creativity. For as much as these challenges can be difficult, they can also liberate you from limiting beliefs.

Where does laughter come into all of this? And how does laughter help you activate your creative side?

Laughing Your Way to Creativity

Laughter is a sure-fire approach to overcome a lack of belief in your creative expressions. It releases the stress associated with self-imposed limitations, making it easier and a lot more fun to tap into your creativity.

From journal prompts and fun-filled exercises to creative brainstorming and collaborating with others, laughter can provide a safe space and pave a stress-free avenue for self-expression, introspection, and creative exploration.

Here are seven joy-filled ideas to help you foster your creativity through laughter:

Funny Moments Journal

Set aside a dedicated journal to jot down funny and amusing moments from your day-to-day life. Reflect on humorous incidents, amusing conversations, or anything that made you laugh. Writing down the details makes it easier to relive the experience and spark creative ideas.

Comic Collage

Collect comic strips, cartoons, online memes, or funny illustrations from different sources. Create a comic collage by cutting out your favorite images and arranging them in a unique and creative way. This visual representation of humor can evoke laughter and inspire your own creative ideas.

Lighthearted Poetry

Explore the world of lighthearted poetry by writing humorous verses or limericks. Play with words, rhyme schemes, and unexpected twists. Let your childhood imagination run wild as you experiment with different forms of poetry to express funny anecdotes, observations, or witty thoughts.

Silly Storytelling

Gather a group of friends or join a local community group and engage in a silly storytelling session. Take turns sharing funny and imaginative stories, building upon each other’s ideas. This collaborative activity encourages creativity, laughter, and promotes the joy of storytelling.

Laughter Yoga

Laughter yoga combines deep breathing techniques with playful exercises and laughter, without relying on jokes or humor. The contagious nature of laughter will boost your mood, relieve stress, and ignite your creative spirit.

Laughter & Art

Paint or draw whimsical and comical scenes, experiment with vibrant colors, and let your childhood imagination guide you. The process of creating art, with laughter as your muse, is enjoyable and inspiring.

Improvisation

Engage in improvisational activities, such as improv theater or improv games with friends. These exercises encourage quick thinking and spontaneity, and activates your creativity.

Embrace Laughter

These ideas and exercises can serve as a starting point to activate your creative side. Feel free to adapt and personalize them to suit your preferences and interests.

The key to all of this is embracing a playful growth mindset. Doing so allows you to let go of inhibitions, limiting beliefs, and immerse yourself in the joy of laughter and creative expression.

Above all else, embrace laughter, embrace creativity, and have more fun!

I invite you to join me in the video as I share additional insights on overcoming challenges to being more creative after 60. I will also share how you can integrate what you’re learning through journaling.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

How does laughter help you to be more creative? What strategies have you used to incorporate more laughter into your life?

Originally posted at: Dorit Kemsley’s Glasses