50+ Lifestyles

Want to Live a Healthy Lifestyle in 2018?

Get a jump start on that healthy lifestyle by participating in a Fresh Conversations discussion group created for people age 60 and older.

By Peggy Dykes
Community Relations Director
Milestone’s Area Agency on Aging

Embracing a healthy way of living can lead to increased energy and improved wellness. It starts with adding beneficial foods and being willing to change behaviors to improve your quality of life. Building a healthy relationship with food is more effective than dieting. Being active has a positive benefit on energy levels, quality of sleep, and overall mood. According to Iowa State University research, your food and lifestyle choices can impact your longevity more than genetics. Poor nutrition can age you 14 years faster.

Get a jump start on that healthy lifestyle by participating in a Fresh Conversations discussion group created for people age 60 and older. Once a month, for 30 minutes, the focus is on improving nutrition, wellness and independence. Free presentations are available at various Milestones’ senior meal centers in Davenport, Bettendorf, Camanche, Clinton, Eldridge and Muscatine.

You can expect lively conversation on current nutrition and health topics with a chance to taste healthy recipes, and discover new ways to stay active and independent. John, a meal center participant says, “Presenters make the learning fun. My wife and I enjoy coming for the fellowship and the food tasting. We’ve even made a few of the recipes. Sometimes we just come for the discussions and other times we stay for the meal service.”

Fresh Conversations is held around the noon meal time. Meals are available on a reservation and contribution basis to those age 60 years and better! New members and their friends are welcome anytime for either the discussion or the meal service or both. You can jump in anytime. Check your local meal center for the date, time and topic. If you are new to the senior meal program and live in Muscatine contact Teresa at (563) 260-9921; for other locations contact Joni at (563) 484-3108. They can tell you how to connect with a Fresh Conversations group or the regular noon meal service. Fresh Conversations is brought to you by Milestones Area Agency on Aging. Funded by USDA SNAP and Iowa Food Assistance Programs.”

Peggy Dykes is Community Relations Director at Milestones Area Agency on Aging. She can be reached at (563) 484-3147, ext. 212 or at pdykes@milestones aaa.org.