By Linda Ballou, NABBW’s Adventure Travel Writer Since Covid hit our shores, travel insurance has become more important than ever. While it is true flight delays have lessened, flights are still a huge variable when you travel. Travel delays, as well as trip interruptions and cancellations, are not just frustrating and inevitable, they can be life altering. Which means that choosing to have travel insurance could not only protect your budget should you have to rebook at the last possible minute due to flight cancellations, but can also be lifesaving, should you have a health emergency out ..read more

By Linda Ballou, NABBW’s Adventure Travel Associate Mobility issues are a problem for many Boomers. I am no exception, so I have investigated ways of ensuring that I don’t take a fall that puts me out of commission.  If you, like me, find you need to be in nature and feel the cooling breeze caressing your skin while you walk, take heart. Don’t let a mobility issue stop you from doing what you need to feel happy and content. I had to acknowledge that I can’t do what I used to do in the same way. I would like to share some of the things that will help you keep Moving, and in shape for a glo ..read more

By Lorraine Miano, NABBW’s Holistic Menopause Health Associate My recent osteoporosis diagnosis felt like a sucker punch to the gut. It was totally unexpected and left me wondering how and why did this happen? As a health and menopause coach, I felt I was doing all the right things by exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, limiting alcohol and caffeine, and taking my supplements. I knew I might be at higher risk since I am post-menopausal, small-boned, and chose not to use hormone replacement therapy due to personal reasons.   However, I felt I was doing well, especially since ..read more

By Linda Ballou, NABBW’s Adventure Travel Associate Editor’s Note: This is Part Two of a three-part series exploring the many facets of Kauai, the Garden Isle of Hawai’i, written by NABBW’s Adventure Travel Associate Linda Ballou, who was fortunate to visit the island just weeks before the series of wildfires which broke out on Maui and the northwest part of the Big Island, in early August, 2023. As most people have now heard, the wind-driven fires prompted evacuations, caused widespread damage and killed over 100 people on Maui’s town of Lahaina. However, though a state of emergency in curre ..read more

By Linda Ballou, NABBW’s Adventure Travel Associate Editor’s Note: This is Part One of a three-part series exploring the many facets of Kauai, the Garden Isle of Hawai’i, written by NABBW’s Adventure Travel Associate Linda Ballou, who was fortunate to visit the island just weeks before the series of wildfires which broke out on Maui and the northwest part of the Big Island, in early August, 2023. As most people have now heard, the wind-driven fires prompted evacuations, caused widespread damage and killed over 100 people on Maui’s town of Lahaina. However, though a state of emergency in curre ..read more

By Tammy Hader for the NABBW: Tammy Hader I knew it was out there, stalking me from the shadows of time. Parent/child role reversal is nothing new. It was easy to ignore until it became the reality of my life. Pausing my thoughts, I swivel my head left then right just in case any other ordinary inevitabilities might be sneaking up on me. Other than a slight Midlife crisis, the coast is clear and I can return my focus to helping my mom cope with the problems of aging. “Mom and I are knee-deep in the inevitable swapping-of-roles segment of life, switching places as we reminisce about favorite ..read more

By Trina O’Quinn for the NABBW How does needlework and quilting bring me Joy? In several ways: Tactiley — the feel of the cloth and thread in my hand and fingers brings me a sense of calm. Audibly — the sound of the pop of the cloth as the needle pierces the material from the other side. Audibly –the sound of the swish of the thread as it is pulled through to the top side of the piece where the picture is being created. Visually — watching the different stitches build the picture. These small steps are a process of creation that brings me great joy. When I quiet my mind, I can feel and hear ..read more

 By Adriane Berg, NABBW’s Associate for Successful Aging Let’s face it. The sad fact is that your teeth will likely wear out before you do. That can mean a substantial financial outlay if you are a user of American health care, as dental work is not normally covered by Medicare or private insurance. When my husband, Stu, was faced with the cost of extensive dentistry, we actually opted for treatment in Mexico. While this might seem exotic and even exciting, it actually was somewhat routine. And that’s the way we like our dentistry—no surprises.  What came as a BIG surprise was the ex ..read more

By Linda Ballou, NABBW’s Adventure Travel Associate Linda’s shot of a couple of happy, young locals, or Ticos, as the Costa Rican natives call themselves. Costa Rica, the poster child of eco-tourism, has so many fun, outdoor adventures options it’s hard to choose. Twenty-five percent of the country is preserved habitat to ensure the continuation of the unique flora and fauna found in species-rich forests.  Multiple changes in altitude and temperature create many micro-climates that are responsible for Costa Rica’s diversity. Extending and gracious people, Ticos, as locals call themselve ..read more

By Adriane Berg, NABBW’s Associate for Successful Aging I am sitting in the Silvio Pettirossi International Airport in Asuncion, Paraguay, having a transformational moment. After having visited 90 countries, all 50 states and almost all of the major US national parks — many of these places more than once (London 22 times!) — I am tearing up my Bucket List. This is a big deal. I made my first bucket list at age six when I saw the Disney Jungle River Cruise on TV. As I recall, it went down seven rivers in 20 minutes and ended in a visit with Trader Sam, who sold shrunken heads. I’ve be ..read more