Facebook was never envisioned as a community for us older folks—perish the thought! But that’s what happened. A lot of Millennials, including my own kids, have little interest in it. After all, they have myriad social media options these days and they aren’t old enough to be nostalgic.
Those of us who’ve now lived a proverbial nine lives—childhood, college/post-grad, several jobs, a few moves, countless Continue reading
What could be more springy and inviting than the cheerful green color of peas? This quick and easy recipe uses fresh or frozen peas to capture the brightness of the season.
Ingredients
Directions
Optional garnishes:
Yield: approximately 4-6 servings
Did you know that by the time your pillow is two years old, half its weight may be comprised of dust mites and skin cells, along with mold or mildew? YUCK. That disgusting fact alerted me that it’s time to replace our pillows. You too? First, I decided to do a little research—and save you the trouble!
Pillows affect sleep quality and how well we rest/recharge. Experts warn that the wrong pillow may contribute to neck and lower back pain, sneezing, and arm or shoulder soreness. Here’s a quick way to see if yours is past its prime:
Do a fluff test. A fluffy pillow means that fresh air can travel through it, which provides better cushioning and support. Fold your pillow in half to see if it unfolds on its own within 30 seconds.
Mine are definitely sluggish. That seals the deal: it’s time to go shopping!
I asked my chiropractor, who treats my chronic neck and shoulder stiffness, what to consider. He explained that you want to sleep with your head in neutral alignment, i.e., not leaning too far forward or back. The key is matching your pillow to your sleep position, which may mean that you and your partner need different types:
Back Sleepers need medium support. If the pillow’s too thick it pushes your head too far forward. If it’s too soft, your head sinks down to the mattress. Extra thickness and firmness in the bottom third will cushion your neck, and a pillow you can smoosh around lets you find the right level of comfort.
Side Sleepers need a firm or super firm pillow to help support the neck. A thicker pillow provides an even sleeping surface to help keep your head, neck and shoulders in a horizontal line.
Stomach Sleepers may not even want a pillow. If you do, choose one that’s soft and fairly flat to keep your neck in line with your spine and prevent extreme turning to either side. Placing a pillow under your stomach may help avoid lower back pain.
Mixed Sleepers (that’s me): People who shift sleeping positions during the night do well with a medium-thick pillow you can move around. If you usually wind up on your stomach, go softer.
Confirm your preferred position:
Fill ‘er Up: There’s a seemingly endless variety of materials and terminology. Some experts suggest having a pillow “wardrobe” to meet different needs, but that can get awfully expensive. If you generally prefer a soft pillow but suffer from occasional neck pain, try using a travel or throw pillow to add extra support.
Down: Soft, lightweight and lofty, down—the inner plumage of ducks and geese—is the most luxurious of all fills and often the most expensive. “Loft” refers to the height of a pillow when it lies flat; i.e., low loft is thin and high is thick. “Firm” is industry-speak for compact while “plush” is pillow talk for cushier. If you want one that’s tall and squishy, for instance, pick “high loft, plush.” “Low loft, firm” will be thinner and more dense.
A natural insulator, down is resilient, breathable, can be moved around to give you support where you need it, and lasts longer than synthetic fills. The best pillows are supposed to last ten years. However, if you’re going to replace them after two years anyway, why spend a ton?
Fill power measures the volume of a single ounce of down, and more down equals more comfort and insulation. Look for fill power of at least 500. Below that level, the fill may contain a lot of feathers or small, damaged down clusters that won’t stay fluffy.
Feather vs. Down/Feather: Feather pillows aren’t as soft as down, and quills can poke through the fabric. A 50/50 mix is a better bet: it combines the softness of down with the firmness and springy support of feathers. Use pillow protectors to avoid getting jabbed!
Note: I’ve read that there’s no scientific evidence that down or feather pillows exacerbate allergies or asthma but there are lots of synthetic options if you don’t want to take a chance or have ethical concerns.
Down Alternative Fill is made of synthetic or natural fibers designed to mimic the luxurious feeling of down at a lower price. Brand names include Primaloft® and Down-Free™.
Like down alternative, synthetic fills such as polyester are hypoallergenic and machine washable.
Made from polyethylene and other chemicals, memory foam is a dense, sponge-like material that continually molds and adjusts to your head and neck. Pillows come in various shapes and offer good support, especially if you have issues with your neck, shoulder or spine.
New memory foam usually has a chemical odor, which may give you a headache. Before putting them on your bed, let the pillows air out for a few days in another room. Memory foam pillows don’t “breathe” and tend to retain heat. They’re best if you don’t move around a lot since they won’t adapt quickly to a different position.
Foam: Look for higher density to reduce breakdown and maintain support.
Latex pillows, made from the sap of rubber trees, are firm, elastic, resilient and come in different shapes. Latex resists mold and dust mites and may improve back and neck alignment, as pillows are often contoured for neck support. They stay cooler than memory foam but don’t have as much “give”, and they tend to be heavy as well as expensive.
Wool and cotton pillows aren’t susceptible to mold and dust mites so they’re another option for allergy sufferers. They’re generally quite firm—not the best choice if you’re a stomach sleeper or like a squooshy pillow.
Specialty pillows, designed for specific needs, may be helpful but research is inconclusive and they’re often costly. Caveat emptor!
A few things to keep in mind:
I’m dreaming of a good night’s sleep with some fresh, new pillowzzzzz!
For my last post about our recent trip to Portugal, I was inspired by the wonderful photography and stories of blogger The Insatiable Traveler and want to share some of my photos along with a few suggestions and observations.
DO pack hiking boots or sturdy shoes to manage the steep hills. I can’t say this enough!
DO eat a hearty breakfast. All our hotels included lavish buffets in the room rate, which set us up perfectly for a day of exploring.
DON’T be intimidated if you don’t speak Portuguese. Learn a few key phrases and politely ask someone if he or she speaks English. Most do, especially in the larger cities.
DON’T speak Spanish instead. There’s a long history of discord with Spain, and Portuguese is not a dialect but its own distinct language.
DO venture into grocery stores. I love seeing how local products are different from the brands I get at home, and people are friendly and helpful.
DO rent a car and tour the beautiful countryside.
DON’T expect world-class museums. If you’re used to the Louvre, Prado, British Museum, Met or Uffizi, you’ll find museums in Lisbon to be charming but not on the same level.
DON’T forget to look up, down and sideways. Many buildings still retain their original azulejos (tiles) and the cobbled streets often have intricate designs.
DON’T you wish your commute was this stunning? The São Bento train station in Porto is covered with tiles depicting festivals, transportation and historic scenes.
DO visit the port lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia and go wine tasting in the Douro Valley.
DO try vinho verde, the light, refreshing “green” wine that’s young and slightly effervescent.
DON’T expect high-end shopping. Instead, splurge on local crafts and designers.
DO bring home some hand-painted pottery. Prices are way lower than in the States and the quality is magnificent.
DO have lunch at Casa do Leão when you’re exploring the Castel São Jorge in Lisbon. The food is good and the view over the city is spectacular.
DO visit historic Coimbra, a short drive from Lisbon. It’s home to one of the world’s oldest universities — worth the trip for the ornate chapel and examination hall, medieval library (which maintains a bat colony to eat insects that could destroy the books) and academic prison, where misbehaving students served time. (Good thing this wasn’t my alma mater!)
DO try local specialties, such as porco à alentejana, an unlikely but delicious combination of chopped pork and tiny clams.
DO ride the tram (especially #28), an inexpensive way to tour Lisbon. However, DON’T bother with the pedi-cabs unless you negotiate a price; they can be more costly than a taxi.
DO visit the markets for the vast array of produce, snacks or lunch among the locals, and great people watching.
DO be aware that tips aren’t generally included in the bill. Leave 10%.
DON’T plan on eating dinner early, though it won’t be as late as in Spain. Most restaurants, even in hotels, open around 7:30 p.m.
DO have a fantastic trip and tell us all about it!
If, like me, your idea of vacation involves good food and booze, I recommend you spend a couple of days in Porto, Portugal, the beautiful port city famous for port wine (duh).
Technically, we were actually staying in Vila Nova de Gaia on the other side of the Douro River, where – happily – the major port tasting rooms happen to be. We pulled up to The Yeatman, a grand hotel that fairly screams (in a quiet, elegant way) British Colonial Privilege. With its stunning views over the old town and river, it’s described on Trip Advisor as “majestic”, “gorgeous”, “amazing” and “spectacular” with “excellent service”, and it did not disappoint. Having spent 3+ hours in the car driving from Lisbon, we were anxious to get out and explore (code for “drink”).
We strolled down the steep streets to the water’s edge (be warned, it’s a LONG hike back up, especially if you’ve indulged in some wine tasting) to get the party started. Here’s a highly simplified introduction to port, for those of us (a.k.a., me) who didn’t know much about it:
Port is a sweet, fortified wine that’s created when fermentation is interrupted by the addition of brandy, which maintains the residual sugar of the grapes. It’s produced exclusively in the Douro Valley and is regulated by the Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto. Portuguese winemakers blend a variety of grapes, each adding its own character and flavor, including Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), Tinta Barroca and Tinta Cão.
The primary families are white, tawny and ruby.
All should be served at a cool room temperature, about 60°F. Port’s inherent sweetness lends itself to pairings with many types of cheese; desserts with fruit, chocolate or caramel; nuts; even barbecue or other sweet/smoky foods. Check out more suggestions and info at Wine Folly’s excellent website.
We only stopped at three tasting rooms since there’s a limit to how much sweet wine either of us could drink in an afternoon, and trudged back up the hill to relax at The Yeatman’s indoor infinity pool with views of the river, plus a curious peacock out on the lawn who couldn’t figure out why he couldn’t peck his way into the spa.
We concluded Day One with dinner at the Yeatman’s Michelin-starred restaurant, which began with several chef’s “surprises” (below, four of the 13 courses)
I’m sorry to report that after eating such a rich meal, both my husband and I — “surprise!”– were hugging the toilet bowl a few hours later. But even though that was about $350 literally down the drain, I’d still rate it a memorable experience. Especially if your stomach is stronger than mine.
A few random travel tips for your next adventure:
Oh, and in case you’re wondering, I don’t get paid by any of the companies or products I mention; they’re just things I want to share with you. Bon voyage!
aka operasandcycling.com
Mit Wohnmobil und Kamera auf den Spuren der Natur
Tale of Net Cancer
The World of Hermes© Scarves. Interesting Facts, History, Photos and Shop. Carre de Paris© 2012-2022 All Rights reserved
Whatever That May Be
Author and Anti-Bullying Advocate
Travel and Lifestyle Blog
Traveling to experience places not just visit them!
Rachel McAlpine writes, blogs, draws and podcasts here
Ramblings of a retiree in France
A personal blog that shares writing & positivity
For when France seems too far away. Shop for inspiring images of France and discover travel tips, packing advice, recipes, book reviews and more.
Raku pottery, vases, and gifts
Where shall we go today?
Random musings on style and substance
Life in islamic point of view
Stay Ahead of the Curve with Cool Trendds: Empowering Your Health and Wellness Journey!
Reviewing beauty and DIY products..... :)
Live life with no excuses, travel with no regret.
olderfatterhappierdotcom 