DonnaJean Wilde, a 58-year-old retired educator, made headlines recently when she set a world record for abdominal planking by a woman. She received official recognition from the Guinness World Record folks for holding a plank for 4 hours, 30 minutes and 11 seconds in Magrath, a town in Alberta, Canada. That was 10 minutes longer than the previous record, set in 2019, Guinness says on its website. “The challenger’s forearms and toes must touch the ground at all times,” Guinness explains. “The remainder of the body must be lifted off the ground and be kept straight throughout.” Wilde says ..read more

If you’re a fan of coconut cream pie, you’ll love this genius make-ahead breakfast idea lightly adapted from a recipe in Kat Ashmore’s “Big Bites.” Thickened with tiny, antioxidant-rich chia seeds, these grab-and-go treats are creamy, filling, refreshing, and packed with nutrients and fiber. A sprinkling of toasted coconut adds crunch. Serves 4. Ingredients 1 cup full-fat coconut milk 2 cups unsweetened almond milk ¼ cup maple syrup 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 ½ cups old-fashioned oats 1/3 cup chia seeds ¼ teaspoon kosher salt 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon Optional toppings: toasted shredded ..read more

Branzino is a mild, flaky white fish from the Mediterranean Sea that’s traditionally served whole, roasted or grilled, with little more than a squeeze of lemon to accentuate its naturally sweet, delicate flesh. Due to overfishing, much of it nowadays is farm-raised, making it widely available throughout US markets. In this recipe, adapted from one in Olga Massov and Sanae Lemoine’s “Hot Sheet,” branzino is the centerpiece of a fast, low-carb, one-pan meal. Rainbow trout or snapper will work just as well. Serves 2-4. – Susan Puckett Ingredients 12 ounces asparagus, woody ends trimmed 2 bunches ..read more

Do you want to live to be 100? More people are reaching that mark nowadays than ever before, and the trend will skyrocket in the coming decades. The topic of longevity is having a moment, darn near approaching a cultural obsession. What can we do to live NOT JUST LONGER but also BETTER. What role does exercise play in all of this? Here’s just one example. Toni Stahl, at left in the photo above, lived an amazing life. As a young Navy wife, she was at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. She survived cancer. She farmed, enjoyed waterskiing, and worked into her 90s part-time at a hospital. She also ..read more

Peperonata is a rustic southern Italian dish of stewed sweet peppers, tomatoes, lots of garlic, and other savory ingredients. In this recipe, adapted from Ashley Rodriguez’s “Rooted Kitchen,” the mixture is a simmering sauce for boneless, skinless chicken thighs. But it would be just as delicious paired with shrimp, fish, white beans, or tofu for a low-carb, gluten-free meal. Serves 4-6. Ingredients 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs Kosher salt 1 recipe Peperonata (recipe follows) 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped Italian parsley, basil, or mint Polenta, pasta, rice, or crusty bread for servin ..read more

Stress is a killer, but we’re not helpless against it. ​ Regular physical exercise is one of the top defenses we have, no matter what age we are. ​ In our 20s and 30s, stress might be mostly related to finding a job or partner or raising kids. ​ But after 50 or so, we still have those concerns, plus maybe physical challenges, social isolation, changes in our bodies and brains, and the way we’re perceived by others. Older people are more likely to live alone, and alcohol abuse skyrocketed during the pandemic lockdown, partly because so many were struggling with the stress in isolation. ​ Every ..read more

This bold-flavored vegan entrée tastes like it’s been simmering for hours yet takes less than 30 minutes to prepare. It’s adapted from Kat Ashmore’s “Big Bites: Wholesome, Comforting Recipes That Are Big on Flavor, Nourishment, and Fun” and consists of inexpensive staples you already have. Canned chickpeas are the principal protein source, delivering vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Pair with greens and a whole grain such as brown rice. Serves 2-3. – Susan Puckett Ingredients 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 medium onion, diced 2 or 3 garlic cloves, minced 1 teaspoon ground turmeric ½ teaspoon curry p ..read more

Up to 80% of adults in Western countries have back pain at some point in their lives. It’s chronic for some and can be debilitating. It can be hard to figure out why it’s happening or how to feel better. And everybody wants a magic pill. But we know there’s a better way: movement. A fitness program that combines strength, flexibility, aerobic fitness is beneficial, the National Institutes of Health says. “Increasing core muscular strength can assist in supporting the lumbar spine. Improving the flexibility of the muscle-tendons and ligaments in the back increases ..read more

This version, lightly adapted from one in “Start Here: Instructions for Becoming a Better Cook” by Sohla El Waylly, pops with flavor and crunch supplied by grapes, toasted walnuts, and blue cheese. It’s a sturdy alternative to flimsy lettuce salads and a great way to use up a half-bunch of celery before it dies in the crisper. It easily accommodates leftover bits of rotisserie chicken, boiled shrimp, hard-boiled egg, or other proteins to make it a nutrition-packed meal in itself. Serves 4. – Susan Puckett Ingredients Dressing: 1/3 cup buttermilk 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon mild h ..read more

Try this this health-packed, one-bowl meal adapted from a recipe in Michelle Braxton’s “Supper with Love.” No fancy ingredients needed. The trick is to cook the vegetables and shrimp separately, but in a pan that’s just hot enough to turn the surface of a nice shade of golden. A dab of butter is added in the last minute when the shrimp are almost done, along with the garlic and tamari, bringing out the garlic’s aroma without burning it.  Squeeze citrus over the shrimp and you’re ready to assemble your bowl with the cooked veggies and grain of choice. Serves 3-4.   Ingredients 3 ..read more