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Clubs for the Age-Empowered
And why Julia Child was more dangerous than you think
Hello interesting and active seniors! In this issue:
Joining (or starting!) clubs for the age empowered
Cornbread Muffins with Honey and Fig Swirl
Julia Child was a secret agent
Must’ve been a good joke!
Clubs for the Age-Empowered
Clubs and groups are a great way for older adults to connect with like-minded people, expand their social circle, and enjoy new experiences. It’s all about celebrating life, learning, and leisurely pursuits!
Finding her happy path
As a child, Jessica Hirshhorn biked only to get from point A to point B. In medical school, she rode occasionally with Washington Women Outdoors. As an adult, she cycled alone on weekends. But when she was facing retirement as an orthopedic surgeon, Hirshhorn realized her social life at work was changing… and so should she.
So, on the day she retired, Hirshhorn joined five cycling clubs.
In time, she became empowered to conquer the elements and joined a winter competition called "Freezing Saddles.” She’s also taken her bike on rides that span the globe and hiked some spectacular trails along the way.
Now a fit, energetic, and youthful 72-year-old, Hirshhorn says, “Cycling became my fitness, endorphin source, mental health, social life, and joy. It has kept me young and is a great outlet for my bossiness since l plan, communicate, and lead the rides. And it fulfills my need for friendship.”
For more information on biking for seniors:
A recipe for friendship
For Helene Buttross, her homemade hummus, baba ganoush, kibbi, and grape leaves brought four close friends to the table. They wanted to see how she made her Lebanese treats and reveled in their day of learning and feasting.
“It was so enjoyable. We said we had to do this again… cook together. We really weren’t on a schedule, but we started getting together once a month,” Buttross said. “We had several people who wanted to join us, but we decided we couldn’t do that. The five of us have a history. Our energy is good together.”
That energy continues today; the get-togethers have evolved into elaborate themed affairs, complete with decorations, cocktails, appetizers, entrees, desserts, and wine.
The group wanted to involve more people, and social media was the way forward. Hence, the Natchez Cook Club was born. Buttross’s adult son helped them create a Facebook page where others could share recipes, thoughts, and ideas. Each week, new members are introduced to the community.
Buttross concluded, “When I started cooking (with the group), I felt more creative and alive. We have a community beyond food, sharing interest in each other's lives.”
Join (or start!) a club
Suggestions and a tip to enrich your experiences.
Find existing organizations, like the Red Hat Society for women looking to travel, find new interests, and participate in on- and offline communities.
Explore the possibilities. From volunteer organizations to fitness clubs, the Arbor Company offers a number of ideas to get you started.
Start one! Not much available in your area or you’re just more the type who likes to be in charge? Start a club of your own!
Tip:
In a book club? Here’s a way to spice up the meetings: Prepare a meal or snack that relates to the area or era the story took place in. Or, use recipes included by the author, like in Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame.
Want to try a new recipe today?
This one comes from the above-mentioned Natchez Cook Club!
Cornbread Muffins with Honey and Fig Swirl
Editor’s note: Add this heavenly mixture to your favorite boxed or from-scratch cornbread batter, and bake as directed.
Ingredients
7 oz fresh Mission figs (about 1-¼ cups), diced small; reserve ¼ cup for garnish
2-½ tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons orange juice or water
Pinch of salt
Grated zest of ½ lemon
Instructions
Prepare cornbread batter from your favorite box or recipe.
Grease muffin tin. Evenly divide cornbread batter into each cup.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, add 7 ounces of chopped figs, honey, orange juice, and salt. Let the figs cook down and become syrupy, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat and add the lemon zest. Set aside.
For each muffin, add a small spoonful of the figs and syrup to the batter. Gently swirl with a narrow knife so you can see a streak of the mixture.
Bake as directed. Once the muffins are cool, run a knife around the edge of the pan to release. To serve, garnish each muffin with a few of the remaining figs. Serve with a drizzle of honey.
Enjoy!
Today’s poll: Where do you find recipes?
Where do you find your recipes?Because we're hungry. |
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Today’s Fun Fact
You may remember Julia Child as the quintessential TV cook who started it all. But that was just her post-retirement career.
Photo courtesy the CIA (yes, really)
She joined America’s Intelligence services in World War II as a typist, working her way into the upper ranks.
When she was asked to solve the problem of too many American underwater explosives being set off by sharks, she experimented with cooking various concoctions as a shark repellent, which were sprinkled in the water near the explosives.
Still in use today, this is probably her most obscure (yet impactful) recipe!
She didn’t show up on TV until she was 50 and the rest is the history we know.
“Every woman should have a blowtorch.”
- Julia Child
Have a favorite recipe you wouldn’t mind sharing with the group? Reply and let us know!