Visiting Angels - March 2021

Visiting Angels - March 2021

March 2021

5274 Scotts Valley Dr., #102 Scotts Valley, CA 95066 831-430-0616 www.VisitingAngels.com/CentralCoast 229 Reindollar Ave., Suite E Marina, CA 93933 831-392-0876

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Vow to Do Something for Others This Spring Kindness Matters

A few years ago, I had just finished my Saturday morning chores and errands, and I decided to treat myself to the newest Starbucks that had opened in town. I pulled up to the drive-thru, ordered my breakfast sandwich and a nice latte, and approached the window, ready to pay. “Oh, no,” said the cashier. “The person in front of you already paid for your order.” I looked ahead, trying to see who this nice stranger was, when the cashier added, “The person in front of them did it for them, so they did it for you.”

wondered if that trend continued and how many people continued to pay for the people behind them. I recently learned that March 26 is Make Up Your Own Holiday Day, which is a little silly, but it got me thinking. I flashed back to that day in the line at Starbucks, and I knew immediately what kind of day I would want: Pay It Forward Day. Turns out, that holiday already exists! Pay It Forward Day is on April 28. What a great holiday! I did a little research, and I found that Pay It Forward Day isn’t affiliated with any group or organization. Instead, it’s just a day dedicated to encouraging people to do something kind for others or donate what they can to help those in need. Imagine how much better this world would be if we all did that on April 28 and beyond. I have a plaque hanging up in my house that reads, “Kindness changes everything.” It’s true. Kindness and consideration for our fellow humans can go a long way in changing our communities. And it can be so simple. When my daughters were young, they belonged to the Girl Scouts, and one year, their troop hosted a coat drive.

So, every girl asked their families and friends if they had coats to donate. We ended up giving away more than 100 coats to those in need, just by asking! It was really easy, and it taught the girls the value and ease of giving back. Paying it forward to someone else doesn’t have to look like organizing a coat drive or paying for someone’s meal. In fact, something as simple as asking someone how their day was, giving them a smile, genuinely meaning it, and listening can have a profound impact on a person’s day. It doesn’t have to cost a single dime. This past year, our caregivers have had to take extra precautions by masking up before entering an older adult’s home and staying as distant as possible. But that human-to-human connection — no matter how COVID-19 friendly it is — is still powerful. We see that every day at Visiting Angels, and my hope is that we can spread a little more kindness both big and small this spring. If you can, give back to those around you. You never know just how much it will mean to them.

“It was such a small action, but it had a profound impact on me, and I’m sure on others, too.”

I was instantly perked up, even without drinking an ounce of my latte. I decided to pay for the person behind me, and my whole day changed. I was happier; it really made my entire Saturday! It was such a small action, but it had a profound impact on me, and I’m sure on others, too. I always

Stay kind,

Cindy Saunders, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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Laugh More, Age Less Why Laughter Is Good for You

humor were more likely to live past 70 than those who didn’t laugh often.

we don’t mean that people will want to spend time with you if you have all the good jokes!) Throughout history, laughter has been an evolutionary sign of understanding. When there are language barriers, laughing together can create camaraderie and a tighter bond between people of different cultures. The dopamine release that comes with laughter aids in stress relief and creates powerful memories that can improve your mood and strengthen friendships. Of course, laughter has its downfalls, too. Laughing at someone else’s expense is detrimental to their health and can harm your relationships. So, stick to light jokes and actively seek shows, cartoons, or people who make you laugh. You’ll feel good, and your body will be pretty happy, too.

At a biological level, laughter can reduce tension in your muscles and activate a powerful stress-relief response from your brain by releasing dopamine. Just one chuckle may even improve your breathing and heart function! In fact, laughing can work wonders for the heart. One study showed that laughter therapy helped reduce the blood pressure and cholesterol levels of its participants. Their blood circulation improved, too. Studies have also found that regular laughter can help strengthen your immune system, and it has long-term benefits for those with respiratory conditions.

As we age, we’re told to wear sunscreen, eat more vegetables, take vitamins, and even walk more — all in hope that our internal clocks will slow down and we will age better. But something as simple as laughter could actually be one of the easiest ways to slow the ticking clock of aging. Scientists have long known that laughter can be therapeutic and help us live longer. It has been shown to reduce wear and tear on our bodies and improve our relationships. A Norwegian study found that those who prioritized

In addition to your body, laughter is also good for your social life. (And

Are Micro-Investing Apps a Good Way to Build Wealth? EXAMINING THE PROS AND CONS

Pros Most investing apps are incredibly user- friendly and require very little oversight. They offer tutorials on how to invest, give users some basic knowledge of financial markets, and make it easy to view your portfolio. The cost of the initial deposit is usually very affordable too, with Acorns starting at $5, Clink starting at $1, and Stash starting at just 1 cent. On top of that, the subscription fees are also very affordable, usually only costing users a few dollars every month. Cons As affordable as those monthly fees are, they can easily lead to a less-than- favorable expense ratio. For example, say you invested $100 in a mutual fund with a 1% expense ratio, which would amount to

To outside observers — and probably quite a few people within — the world of investing is overwhelming. Nevertheless, common wisdom dictates that building investments, whether as part of a retirement plan or for other reasons, is an indisputably good thing, but it’s hard to figure out where to begin. Could micro-investing apps be a good place to start? What is a micro-investing app? Micro-investing apps, such as Acorns and Stash, allow users to invest small amounts of money in the market. Many of these apps will round up purchases made with a debit or credit card to the nearest dollar amount, then invest the difference in your portfolio. Other apps, like Clink, will encourage users to invest $1 per day.

a dollar per year. If you invest with Acorns or Stash, you’re paying at least $12 per year because of the flat $1 per month fee. That’s a 12% expense ratio, which is not great. And at the end of the day, micro- investing might be easy, but the fees and minimal investment amounts lead to mere micro-gains. So, if you’re looking for a way to familiarize yourself with the market and figure out how it works, micro- investment apps might be a good place to start. However, if you want to retire on your investments one day, then it might be best to invest somewhere that will net higher returns.

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Why Is Isolation So Dangerous? 3 Californian Women Who Made History Later in Life

Californians often make history, but in honor of National Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, we wanted to feature three Californian women who left a lasting legacy on American history. The best part? These women made their marks as older adults.

it wasn’t her family’s legacy that lands Dr. Follansbee on this list. She was nearly 40 years old by the time she graduated medical school and became a doctor, coming to California to practice, and becoming the state’s first woman to be

admitted into the Los Angeles County Medical Association. Dr. Follansbee went on to teach at the University of Southern California and become the first woman to be a medical faculty member.

Mary Ellen Pleasant While the exact details of her birth aren’t known — she was born between 1814 and 1817 in either Georgia or Pennsylvania — Mary Ellen Pleasant’s legacy isn’t quite as murky. Pleasant was Black but often passed for white in California, and she used this to her advantage to help slaves escape through the Underground Railroad. Historians have dubbed her “The Harriet Tubman of California.” Pleasant later used her prowess to amass millions of dollars and help Black Americans find work in the years after slavery was abolished.

Clara Foltz Born Clarissa Shortridge in 1849, Clara Foltz’s family moved to San Jose, California, in 1872. After being abandoned by her husband in 1876, Foltz — who also had five children — started studying law. Determined to become a lawyer, Foltz drafted

legislation to change who could take the California Bar Exam from white males to any person. Foltz then became an attorney in 1878 and began adding to her long list of accolades. She was the first woman along the West Coast to become an attorney, the first woman to run for governor of California, and the first woman in the U.S. to become deputy attorney of the public defender’s office. Foltz is also credited as the creator of the public defender system.

Dr. Elizabeth Follansbee Dr. Elizabeth Follansbee was born on the East Coast in 1839 and is thought to be the great-granddaughter of Roger Sherman, who signed the Declaration of Independence. But

ASPARAGUS AND SMOKED MOZZARELLA PIZZETTES

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Directions 1. Preheat oven to 500 F and ensure there are two racks in your oven. 2. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, stretch each piece of dough into a 7-by-3-inch oval and arrange evenly on the pan. 3. On a second baking sheet, toss asparagus with oil and 1/4 tsp salt. 4. Place dough on top rack and asparagus on bottom and bake for 3 minutes. Ingredients • 1 lb prepared whole-wheat pizza dough, divided into 6 equal portions • 12 oz asparagus spears, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces • 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • 1/4 tsp salt

5. Remove both trays from the oven, sprinkle cheese over the dough, then top with asparagus and scallions. 6. Return pizzettes to oven and bake until the crusts’ edges are golden, about 8–10 minutes. 7. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with walnuts, mint, and orange zest before serving. • 1 cup shredded smoked mozzarella cheese • 1/3 cup scallions, thinly sliced • 2 tbsp walnuts, toasted and chopped • 1 sprig of fresh mint leaves, torn • Zest of 1 orange

Inspired by EatingWell.com

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Inside

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Change the World by Paying It Forward

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The Easiest Anti-Aging Tactic? Laughter The Pros and Cons of Micro-Investing

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3 Women Who Prove Age Really Is Just a Number Asparagus & Smoked Mozzarella Pizzettes

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3 Historical Places You Can Visit

Check Out These 3 Places This March Your Local History Lesson

More than 170 years ago, a large patch of land became the 31st state in the U.S. Before then and since, California has had a rich history. This spring, explore some of the most historic places right here in the Scotts Valley. Limestone Structures in Pogonip Where: 333 Golf Club Drive When: Sunrise to 4 p.m. through March; sunrise to 7 p.m. through October Website: CityOfSantaCruz.com Nestled in the treasure trove of historic redwoods and the plush, green plant life found in the Pogonip are little stone structures that date back to the mid-19th century and mark a time of progress in California. These small stone structures relied on the redwoods to fuel kilns, which

would turn limestone into lime. That was then used as mortar in the construction of many brick facades. Today, these stone structures still stand in the park, many overgrown by vines, moss, and nature — let’s call it a reclamation of sorts.

Perhaps the best part of this visit is the walk through the gorgeous gardens, which are filled with large trees and blooming flowers. Hinds House Where: Chestnut Street, Santa Cruz When: By reservation only Phone: 831-423-0423 While you may not be able to explore this beautiful home without a reservation for lodging, consider driving or walking past this landmark on your next historical tour! The Hinds House was built in 1888 by Alfred J. Hinds and his family. The house also became home to school teachers and students and eventually innkeepers. The Hinds House has served tourists and new Santa Cruz residents since the 1960s, making it a hub of excitement in town.

The Stevenson House Where: 530 Houston Street, Monterey

When: Call for details Phone: 831-649-7118

Many creators have called California home, and the author of “Treasure Island” and “Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” once called the French Hotel his home in the latter half of 1879. Robert Louis Stevenson is well-regarded for his mark on literary history, and today, visitors can see the place where he stayed.

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