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The Shores of Lake Phalen
Salmon Steak with Salad

There’s nothing fishy about the benefits of eating fish. For years, many people shied away from fish, worried about its mercury content, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and other contaminants. But research has proven time and again that fish is a critical part of a nutritious diet, providing healthy omega-3 fats and nutrients like vitamin D and ...

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The Shores of Lake Phalen
Young Man Talking to Smiling Senior Man Over a Cup of Coffee

Even after years of knowing someone and frequently chatting with them, it can be surprising how little you truly know about their life. Too often, we focus on light conversation topics, like the weather, TV shows, and our day-to-day lives – never delving beneath the surface to deeper and more personal subjects. This is especially ...

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The Shores of Lake Phalen
Senior man on laptop, smiling, eating apple

Summer is filled with tempting sugary treats: ice cream sundaes, peach cobbler, cherry pie, pineapple upside-down cake, and on and on the list goes. Although it’s fine to indulge your sweet tooth every once in a while, you don’t want to feel as though you need a dessert after every meal – or in the middle of ...

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The Shores of Lake Phalen
Two recycling containers sitting in the grass, one filled with plastic

It’s easy to feel small when you consider the size of the Earth and the magnitude of humans’ impact on the environment. However, you should never let this stop you from trying to minimize the damage that you personally inflict on the environment. If we all take small steps forward, we can make a huge ...

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The Shores of Lake Phalen
Pitcher of water and two glasses of water with lemon and cucumber slices

It’s easy to roll your eyes when people emphasize the importance of drinking water. “Of course drinking water is important,” you might think. “When I’m thirsty, I have a drink. Isn’t that enough?” Generally, yes. Our bodies are pretty good at judging when we need to rehydrate, and that “8 glasses of water a day” rule lacks a ...

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The Shores of Lake Phalen
Senior woman at picnic table drinking water with lemon

There are many things to love about summer – longer days, warmer weather, swimming, barbecues – but the sweltering heat is not one of them. Unfortunately, older people have an increased risk of heat-related illnesses, so as the temperature soars, it’s important that you stay cool and hydrated to avoid heat stress, heatstroke, and dehydration. ...

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The Shores of Lake Phalen
Senior man and adult man laughing together

Never underestimate how wonderful it can be to make someone else smile. Whether it’s a friend, a family member, or a complete stranger, you have the power to improve someone’s day. Just think about the last time a waiter made you laugh, a friend gave you a compliment, or a random stranger smiled at you. ...

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The Shores of Lake Phalen
Teenage Granddaughter Helping Grandmother With Crossword Puzzle

You might think of a crossword puzzle as a fun way to pass the time on a lazy Sunday. They’re inexpensive (or even free with your newspaper), require only a pen and your brain, and can be played wherever you happen to be. You might be surprised, however, to learn that researchers have discovered that ...

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The Shores of Lake Phalen
senior woman with her arms around senior man in wheelchair

Caring for one person – yourself – can feel hard enough some days. Yet caregivers graciously spend much of their time looking after someone else as well. Caregiving can take many forms, but all types of caregiving require patience, attention, and empathy. Over time the responsibility of caregiving can leave the caregiver physically, emotionally, and ...

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The Shores of Lake Phalen
Close-up of Hands Tying Shoelaces, Foot Propped on Bench

If your doctor has recommended that you lose a few pounds, you’re certainly not alone. Losing weight is a very common goal amongst the young and old alike. Sometimes this goal can feel intimidating or insurmountable, and you might assume that you’ll need to totally revamp the way you eat and live your life. Luckily, ...

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