If your summers are loaded with BBQ’s, get-togethers, and a little over-indulging, you probably need to add more nutrition to your diet. Smoothies are a great way to start every day. They’re not only delicious, but also a quick and easy way to ensure you get the recommended daily fruit and veggies and are packed with extra vitamins, minerals, protein, and fiber.
This Peach Blueberry Smoothie Bowl is the perfect combo! It’s simple to make yet has a complex flavor and it includes local peaches!! Plus, it’s vegan, and allergy friendly. (If you have a nut allergy, simply remove the nut butter or substitute with your favorite nut-substitute option). This recipe is for one serving.
Ingredients
Servings
1 cup frozen blueberries
2 fresh peaches
2 tablespoons nut butter
1⁄4 cup coconut milk
1 banana
1⁄4 cup granola
Add ½ tsp of flax seed which may improve cardiovascular health, support digestive health, and support weight management
Instructions
Blend blueberries, 1/4 of the banana, nut butter, 1 peach, and coconut in a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth and well mixed.
Slice the remaining banana and dice extra peach.
Pour the smoothie into a bowl. Top with banana, peach, and granola.
Serve and enjoy!
Have a recipe you’d like to share?
NCRGEA is compiling a Digital Holiday Dessert collection of recipes for 2023! If you have a dessert recipe you’d like to share, Submit A Dessert here by September 30, 2023.
Sandy Hazelip and Ellie Hambry wanted to do something special to celebrate their 80th birthdays. When Sandy proposed a unique adventure for their milestones, her friend was immediately thrilled with the idea: to travel the world in 80 days for their 80th birthday.
The COVID-19 pandemic may have stalled the two friends’ whirlwind trip, but only briefly. After all, the two met in Zambia 23 years ago while on a medical mission and have been sharing journeys and adventures ever since.
Starting Their Journey
So, on January 11, 2023, at the age of 81 years old, the pair departed their Dallas, Texas homes and began their journey. First stop: Antarctica.
In a mere 80 days, their itinerary allowed the two to experience the northern lights of Lapland at the North Pole, a sleigh ride pulled by huskies in Finland, a hot air balloon ride in Egypt, camel rides in the deserts of Africa, the awesome ancient structures of Rome, a two-day ship ride across the treacherous Drake Passage, where 20-foot waves rocked their boat, and searching for wallabies in Australia.
The two documented their journey on their social media platforms and quickly gained thousands of affectionate and amazed followers. Many – including a fan in Rwanda and another in Colorado – invited them to visit them and stay at their homes. As the Rwandan wrote, “You 2 are amazing!”
Hazelip laughs when recalling her family’s reaction to their social media popularity. Her grandchildren would comment on her social media updates, “There’s my grandmother having fun!”
“We’re not wanting our comfort zone. We’re wanting an adventure,” Hamby explained. “We were together 80 days 24/7, and it’s just really made us even closer than we were.”
In fact, the two enjoyed their travels so much their even planning another! Hazelip revealed, “We are planning another trip! Something when we’re 82 in 2024. We’ve got some ideas about where we’re going and what we’re going to do, so you just need to stay tuned for the next adventure because it’s going to happen!”
Whether you plan on taking on an adventure and traveling the world or staying close to home, getting a Medical Air Services Association (MASA) plan is a smart idea. All too frequently, people are shocked when they receive huge bills for emergency medical transportation. MASA can protect you from catastrophic financial loss when emergencies arise at home or while traveling by covering your ambulance or airlift, regardless of your age or medical condition. Services are paid in full, with no deductibles, co-pays or dollar limits. MASA provides global coverage 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. NCRGEA and AMBA make getting a MASA plan easy. You can even sign up online. Learn more at www.AMBAmedtransport.com/NCRGEA or call 800-956-1228.
Getting older brings many things. Wisdom, memories, and experience are good examples. Unfortunately, getting older also brings increased risk of accidents and injuries, even in the supposed safety of our homes. Falling is a common cause of injury among older Americans, resulting in over 8 million trips to the emergency room for nonfatal injuries.
Recognizing and taking steps to identify areas that may pose a risk – such as sharp edges on furniture, slippery floors or rugs, or phone chargers that could cause a fall – is important can help keep you safe.
Preventing Everyday Accidents at Home
For starters, make sure that all areas of your home are well-lit. Poor visibility can lead to slips or falls on stairs, in hallways or on other items lying around which could be tripped over. Make sure all areas of the home have adequate lighting so potential hazards can be more easily seen.
Next, review if your stairs may have any uneven steps, railings, or even loose carpeting. Even though you may walk up and down the stairs multiple times a day, these tripping hazards are an accident waiting to happen.
Likewise, make sure rugs aren’t loose to prevent slipping or falling on Use double-sided tape to keep rugs in place.
Also be sure to clean all the clutter from the floor. Electrical cords, dangling phone chargers, or other wires are obvious examples, but so are items like shoes and bags. Make sure all items are kept neat and orderly.
And, just like you don’t want too many things on the floor, make sure your most used items aren’t too high. Keep these things items in a low, easy-to-reach place so you don’t have to use step stools as often.
In Case of Emergency
Even if you follow all these tips, accidents can happen. In the event of a fall or an injury, an emergency room visit might be necessary. Even if there’s no external injury, you want to be sure there’s no internal bleeding or trauma, especially if you’ve hit your head.
Protecting your health with simple, commonsense measures is important. So is protecting your savings. Getting a Medical Air Services Association (MASA) plan can prove to be one of the smartest things you ever do. If you require emergency medical transportation, an ambulance ride or air emergency transportation can cost thousands. With a MASA plan, you can focus on healing from your injury and not worry about the unexpected expense of your ride. MASA is available through NCRGEA and AMBA. Learn more by visiting www.ambamedtransport.com/NCRGEA or call 877-290-3170.
Governor Cooper Announces North Carolina Will Receive More Than $1.5 Billion in Federal Funding to Expand High-Speed Internet Access Across the State
Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) awarded North Carolina more than $1.5 billion to fund high-speed internet infrastructure under the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program.
Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) awarded North Carolina more than $1.5 billion to fund high-speed internet infrastructure under the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program.
“State and federal partnerships are critical to helping us close the digital divide and we are grateful to the Biden-Harris administration for this historic investment to expand high-speed Internet access in North Carolina,” said Governor Cooper. “Through this program, we will continue to make tremendous progress in making sure every household and business in our state is connected.”
The N.C. Department of Information Technology’s (NCDIT’s) Division of Broadband and Digital Equity has developed a draft five-year plan outlining how the agency will invest BEAD funding across North Carolina. The draft plan has been posted online and is available for public comment via email to NCDITpartnerfeedback@nc.gov until Monday, July 17 at 5 p.m. The division will submit the five-year plan to NTIA by July 29 as part of the process for North Carolina to access its allocated BEAD funding.
“We continue to work tirelessly to achieve the best return on our investment as we allocate federal resources to address unserved and underserved locations across North Carolina,” said NCDIT Secretary and State Chief Information Officer Jim Weaver. “We appreciate the strong partnerships that have helped us identify needs throughout the state so that we can take strategic steps to reach every North Carolinian.”
The broadband division recently announced that its challenges to the Federal Communications Commission’s National Broadband Map aided in surfacing 115,000 additional North Carolina homes and businesses that do not have access to high-speed internet, adding more new unserved locations to the map through this process than any other state. These additions increased North Carolina’s funding allocation from the BEAD program.
The BEAD program received funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Internet For All initiative. More information about the initiative and the state’s other Internet For All funding can be found on this fact sheet.
To learn more about the NCDIT Division of Broadband and Digital Equity and Governor Cooper’s plan to close the digital divide in North Carolina, please visit www.ncbroadband.gov.
NCRGEA Executive Director Tim O’Connell was invited to speak and share information on the Consolidated Judicial Retirement System at the NC Superior Court Judges Conference in Asheville this week. Thanks for the invite and the opportunity to share information on NC retirees of local and state government!
The General Assembly meets biennially and all members are elected for two-year terms. The House consists of 120 members and the Senate has 50 members. It meets in the North Carolina Legislative Building, shown here, located at 16 West Jones St., in Raleigh.
Congratulations! You are a member of the largest association of retired government professionals in the United States. Now more than a half century old, we were then, and are today, the primary voice and advocate for North Carolina’s local and state governmental retired public servants.
As you may well remember, when we founded in 1972, our country was headed into troublesome times. Gas prices and inflation were gearing up for history making highs, we were fiercely engaged in the Cold War, and societal unease was tense across the country. Yet we remained focused on our purpose: you.
Fast forward to today, and while the past may be prologue, our focus remains the same: you.
What does that mean for you? In addition to our life impacting benefits, we have a daily presence at the North Carolina General Assembly, boards of trustees overseeing our retirement systems, and other bodies relevant to retiree matters. Our bipartisan, four member lobbyist team and NCRGEA executive leadership work with elected and appointed officials, fighting to protect the quality of life that you rightfully earned.
As our purpose is you, you are what matters most to our elected officials. You are the constituent, the fellow church member, the neighbor our elected officials are charged to serve. You are also the women and men who are the girders of a safe, well educated, prosperous, and clean North Carolina. You kept our roads maintained, educated our children, put the bad guys away, helped people in perilous times, and made our environment safe. You are, truly, the backbone of what is today one of the most desirous states to live, work, and play.
With the NCRGEA, you have a family of almost 67,000 fellow retired public servants. We are mighty in scope and in size, and can have a unified, bellowing voice with our elected officials. We look forward to continuing to serve you and fight for your quality of life.
Our elected officials need to know you. Here is how you can better engage in the legislative process as a retiree advocate; click below to download or enlarge the infographic:
NCRGEA continues its work to advance, promote, and protect the benefits, interests, and well-being of North Carolina’s retired state and local public servants in the Lake Case. Click the video at left to hear a report from ABC11 News in Raleigh.
As Executive Director Tim O’Connell explains in this video: “To take care of them in the retirement years, based upon a contractual promise, is being a good steward for North Carolina.”
Ever feel a strange numbness, tingling, burning, or pain in your hand? Or experience occasional shock-like sensations that radiate to your thumb and index, middle, and ring fingers? These are potential symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. The pain can be extreme and persistent. The condition occurs when the ligament that runs across the top of your wrist swells and presses on the nerves. The symptoms can be mild at first but can progress to become increasingly more severe and painful.
What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
The most common cause of carpal tunnel syndrome is repetitive movements for extended periods of time, such as typing or writing or navigating your tablet or smartphone. Other activities involving repeated wrist motion that can cause the condition include using a hand tool consistently and/or for long periods of time, playing an instrument, and even cooking and using kitchen utensils often and without proper rest breaks. Other risk factors include any sort of trauma to the hands or wrists like a fracture or break. Health conditions like obesity, arthritis, diabetes, and thyroid issues are also linked to the condition.
Carpal tunnel syndrome can become increasingly painful and debilitating. The tingling sensation often felt in the fingers can range from mild to severe. The nerve damage can cause weak grip strength due to muscle wasting. Additionally, the condition can lead to difficulty performing fine motor skills such as writing or typing due to loss of coordination and dexterity in your hands and wrists.
Treatments
The first step in treating the condition is simple rest. Reducing or, if possible, ceasing the repetitive movement that caused the condition could decrease the inflammation and damage. If you do need to continue performing your tasks, be sure to take regular breaks and gives your hands and wrists throughout the day.
Anti-inflammatory medications are often prescribed to reduce pain and swelling associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. These medications include ibuprofen and naproxen. Your doctor may also prescribe more potent anti-inflammatory drugs like corticosteroids which have stronger effects but should only be used short term due to their side effects. Always consult with your physician before taking any medication.
If the pain and swelling persist, a wrist splint can help keep your wrist in a neutral position. Splints come either ready-made from medical supply stores or they can be custom fitted by an orthotics specialist.
Prevention
Preventing carpal tunnel syndrome starts with avoiding or limiting activities that involve high-impact movements. If you must perform these activities, be sure to take frequent breaks to give your hands and wrists a rest. Stretching your arms and fingers can also help to reduce tension in the wrists and hands, allowing them to stay flexible and limber.
If typing on a keyboard is the cause of your pain, ergonomically designed keyboards and desks can reduce strain on your muscles and joints. Likewise, using wrist supports while doing activities such as playing an instrument that involves long-term wrist movement can also help prevent pain by reducing the pressure placed upon the median nerve within our wrists.
Diabetes has been linked to a higher rate of carpal tunnel syndrome. This could be due to blood supply issues which may cause damage along its length leading towards the hands and fingers. Thyroid issues have also been found to be one of many potential contributing factors. Obesity is another common risk factor for this disorder. Excess weight can lead to inflammation and extra pressure on certain nerves including those inside the wrists.
If diabetes, thyroid issues, or obesity is one of the causes of your carpal tunnel syndrome, it’s just one more good reason to explore ways to improve your health. These conditions affect your health in many adverse ways, and not just physically. Many people have been turned down for Life Insurance because of their health or lifestyle issues. Obesity, diabetes, and thyroid issues don’t just affect your health. The conditions can also affect people’s ability to qualify for Life Insurance. The Whole Life policy from NCRGEA and AMBA is different. No health exam, no questions, no problem. You can get a Whole Life policy right now by signing up online. It even includes a no-obligation 60-day return policy. Learn more about a Whole Life Policy through NCRGEA and AMBA at www.AMBAlifeinsurance.com/NCRGEAor call 877-290-3173.
Our NCRGEA Community Outreach Coordinator, Jo Lanier, has held 16 community events and had over 250 total attendees across the state this spring and summer. If you have not had a chance to attend, and you want to meet up with other retirees, join Jo on this last summer outreach event Wednesday, June 21 at 10am in Hillsborough NC.
Thanks to our partners and our members for making this event a success! We look forward to seeing you more in the fall! Be sure to keep your email updated with us so we can provide you with notifications on upcoming fun events!
One of his biggest hits is “Tougher Than the Rest”, and Bruce Springsteen proved his resilience on stage on May 25, 2023.
During a concert with The E Street Band at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam, the 73-old rocker took a tumble while climbing a flight of stairs as the band launched into the hit song “Ghosts.” Bruce Springsteen falls to the stage. The singer and his guitar crashed to the ground, and he lay prone on the stage for several seconds as band members and the audience gasped in shock.
The Boss Laughs Off His Fall
Fortunately, crew members helped the singer back to his feet. He smiled to the audience with a mix of relief and embarrassment, shouted, “Good night, everybody!” and the concert joyously resumed.
The accident turned out to be no big deal, but it’s one more example of how a fall can happen to anyone at any time. Falling is a common cause of injury among older Americans, resulting in over 8 million trips to the emergency room for nonfatal injuries.
In the event of a fall or an injury, an emergency room visit might be necessary. Even if there’s no external injury, you want to be sure there’s no internal bleeding or trauma, especially if you’ve hit your head.
But you weren’t – pardon the pun – born to run up an expensive bill for emergency medical transportation. Getting a Medical Air Services Association (MASA) plan can prove to be one of the smartest things you ever do. If you require emergency medical transportation, an ambulance ride or air emergency transportation can cost thousands. With a MASA plan, you can focus on healing from your injury and not worry about the unexpected expense of your ride. MASA is available through NCRGEA and AMBA. Learn more by visiting www.AMBAmedtransport.com/NCRGEA or call 877-290-3170.
