Lifestyle

The Shores of Lake Phalen
vector illustration of people volunteering by painting, donating, and watering a giant heart

According to the AARP, Americans gave more than $471 billion to charity in 2020. Unfortunately, there are some people out there who are happy to take advantage of generous hearts, so you need to use your head when you decide to give. Learning how to avoid charity scams is vital if you want to be ...

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The Shores of Lake Phalen
clementines surrounded by lights, garland, and cranberries

“That’s the thing with handmade items. They still have the person’s mark on them, and when you hold them, you feel less alone.” This quote from author Aimee Bender captures the magic of a good homemade gift. Send your love to someone this holiday season with one of these homemade Christmas gift ideas. Homemade Christmas ...

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The Shores of Lake Phalen
Family on Christmas morning

Buying a gift for just one person can be difficult. Buying a gift for an entire family? Now that’s a real challenge. Luckily, these Christmas gift ideas for families are here to help. Christmas Gift Ideas for Families Christmas is the time of year when we show the people in our lives how much we ...

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The Shores of Lake Phalen
Smiling senior woman holding turkey surrounded by family

Why is gratitude important? Self-help author Melody Beattie presents an impassioned argument: “Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” Like others who appreciate it, she praises the feeling for its ability to expand and enrich life. It’s not simply a matter of perception. Research suggests that ...

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The Shores of Lake Phalen
Three houseplants on windowsill

“If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden.” This quote from Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden is also the secret of indoor gardening. If you widen your idea of what a garden can be, you’ll start seeing them everywhere you look. Here are some indoor gardening ...

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The Shores of Lake Phalen
Senior man and woman smiling at laptop screen

Are you looking for an activity that can help you make new friends and improve your mental health? No, it isn’t a new exercise fad. Volunteering is good for you and great for your community, and virtual volunteering opportunities let you participate from the comfort of your home. Virtual Volunteering Opportunities Seniors are known for ...

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The Shores of Lake Phalen
Smiling senior man

We all feel a little under the weather from time to time. Whether your gloomy mood was caused by a specific event or a vague feeling of discontent, there are innumerable things you can do to turn your day around. With a little initiative, you’ll be smiling in no time! Scroll down to check out ...

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The Shores of Lake Phalen
Senior woman laughing outside on bench, senior man in foreground blurry

Did you know that people who feel younger than their age tend to be healthier than people who don’t? Your mindset has more power to change your life than you might realize. If you miss your childhood, take some time to discover how to feel like a kid again in your golden years.  How to ...

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The Shores of Lake Phalen
Flower pot, shovel, hat, basket, gloves in garden

Spring has arrived! Slowly but surely, trees are budding, temperatures are rising, and flowers are blooming. Before you know it, you’ll be applying sunscreen and hunting for your sunglasses. But before that day comes, be sure to take a little time to appreciate the joys of this bountiful season. There are so many lovely ways ...

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The Shores of Lake Phalen
Senior woman writing in notebook

Have you ever dreamed of penning the Great American Novel or writing poetry on par with the poems produced by wordsmiths like Robert Frost and Emily Dickinson? One of the wonderful things about creative writing is that anyone can do it. Without any formal training, countless writers have written astonishing novels and poems. Does the ...

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