If so, you undoubtedly remember all those commercials that peddled “Not Sold in Any Store!” record albums and cassette tapes by a singer you’d never heard of whose most distinguishing features were a pencil-thin mustache, outlandishly flared sideburns and a towering lacquered widow’s peak. He  warbled country ballads in a mellifluous high voice, occasionally breaking into a full-throttle yodel that put Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music to shame.

Slim Whitman was his name (off the stage he was Ottis Dewey Whitman Jr.), and the announcer proclaimed not only that “his heart-touching voice has captured America,” but also that he’d sold more records than Elvis and the Beatles combined, or something to that effect.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Whitman, who died on June 19 at age 90 in his native Tampa, Fla., wasn’t just some telemarketing hype. Discovered in 1948 by Elvis Presley’s future manager Col. Tom Parker, Whitman quickly rose to become one of the biggest stars in pop music in the early 1950s. He became a regular on The Louisiana Hayride, a popular country music radio show. Whitman had a modest hit in 1949 with “Casting My Lasso Toward the Sky,” which showcased his yodeling ability.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Whitman’s first really big hit was his 1951 cover of ”Indian Love Call,” a song that had been recorded in operetta style in 1936 by Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy and then reinterpreted as an instrumental by county guitarist Chet Atkins. But Whitman’s version, with its otherworldly, theremin-like wail, is the one everybody remembers. It became a million-seller.

Click here to view the embedded video.

In 1955, Whitman released a single, “Rose Marie,” which flopped in the United States but became a huge crossover hit in England, holding the top spot on the charts for 11 weeks straight. Its lavish, baroque arrangement and vocal pyrotechnics exemplified Whitman’s distinctively unorthodox style.

Click here to view the embedded video.

By then, the ascendance of rock-and-rollers such as Chuck Berry, Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis already had stamped an expiration date on Whitman’s stardom on the pop charts.  (In a BBC story, he recalled appearing on a concert bill with young Elvis in 1955: “He was just a guy on the show. And then he started wiggling and then he took over the show.”)

But as country music historian Richard Carlin notes, Whitman remained a star in England and Europe, where his fluttery, flowery singing and heavy reliance on pedal-steel guitar seemed to perfectly fit how overseas listeners expected an American country singer to sound. Here’s his song “I Remember You”:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Whitman’s virtuosity also inspired parodies, such as this 1980s SCTV skit, in which Joe Flaherty portrayed how Whitman might have sounded as a singer in a Bollywood musical.  

Click here to view the embedded video.

Also of Interest

• Bob Thompson: He Made Music to Sip Martinis By
• Esther Williams: Who Says Mermaids Aren’t Real?
• Join AARP: Savings, resources and news for your well-being

See the AARP home page for deals, savings tips, trivia and more

In the Washington Post this week, Editorial Page Editor Fred Hiatt writes about the need to “reform entitlements.”  Last week, AARP volunteers from every state in America came to Capitol Hill to ask their Democratic, Republican and Independent members of Congress to strengthen Social Security and Medicare by coming up with responsible solutions.

Those who create the messages around recent attempts to cut Social Security benefits have also called for “entitlement reform.”  With the meaning behind the two words “reform” and “entitlements” they’ve attempted to make Social Security and Medicare, two of the most successful programs in American history, into things that deserve punishment.

First, let’s examine the word “reform:” Social Security and Medicare need fixing.  No one disputes that.  But they don’t need get sent to a school for bad dogs or misbehaving children.  They need strengthening through bipartisan discussions.

In May the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office put out a report saying the deficit that the Simpson-Bowles Commission proposed to reduce through harmful cuts has in fact almost completely disappeared on its own in the face of an improving economy and higher revenue.  In the CBO report, projected Medicare spending has gone down by 15% since 2010, and Social Security remains separate from the deficit by law. The Post’s Hiatt rightly mentions this in his piece.

Now for the word “entitlements:” Americans pay for Social Security and Medicare through our payroll taxes.  We earn them.  So when anyone says the sky is falling as Mr. Hiatt implies, saying that the “rational…policy would be to support entitlement reform…” he misses his mark.

Economist Dean Baker takes this a step further arguing that “The problem is that people like Fred Hiatt want to rule out any other options in order to try to force cuts to Social Security and Medicare.”

The proposal to cut benefits called “Chained CPI” is irresponsible and it’s not a solution. It’s bad “reform.” Chained CPI would cut benefits that are already modest and add little to the Social Security Trust Fund, which currently has a $2.73 trillion surplus, up $54 billion from 2012.

The AARP volunteers who met with hundreds of Congressional offices last week brought concrete, responsible solutions and put them on the table, and often the desks of the members of Congress they visited.   The solutions included ideas to reduce prescription drug costs, improve care coordination, and crack down on waste and inefficiency.

We want to see Congress have a conversation about strengthening Social Security and Medicare.  We don’t want to see more false rhetoric about “entitlement reforms.

Photo Credit: Black and white picture of Senator Angus King (I-ME) with AARP staff, volunteers taken by Ian Cunningham for AARP

Color picture on left with (from left) AARP volunteer President Rob Romasco, AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMondand US Senator Mark Begich (D-AK)

Color picture on right with from left U.S. House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), Ohio AARP State Director Jane Taylor and AARP Ohio volunteer President Mike Barnhart of Centerville, OH.

Also of Interest

• How to Cut $200 Billion in Health Care Costs
• Social Security Expert: ‘We’re Playing With Fire’
• Join AARP: Savings, resources and news for your well-being

See the AARP home page for deals, savings tips, trivia and more

The reason why it is important to pay attention to our food intake is because as a community we have a propensity to acquire certain serious diseases such as diabetes and hypertension without even knowing it.

I recently read an article about how Hispanic mothers are having difficulty adapting to U.S. food culture. The article highlights that while trying to stay true to their Hispanic roots, most children’s eating habits are being heavily influenced in their schools, in the home of friends, and by what they see on TV, hear on the radio, or see on the internet. Why is this a matter of concern for Hispanic moms? Moms know that instilling good eating habits during childhood tends to follows them into adulthood.

While some people are quick to attribute most health issues to fast food places for the convenience and value offered at these restaurants, I wonder: Is this really what is causing the health risks?

Probably not. The reality is that several members within our households are sometimes working long hours to make ends meet. Trying to coordinate household schedules has become increasingly difficult, and planning a family dinner gets even more complicated as dinner time is not a set time nowadays. In between parent teacher conferences, our kid’s soccer games and after-school programs, and on top of all that, a full day’s work, we are at the point of exhaustion. Then, a fast food meal is usually a good way to go. Or so we want to think…

While the convenience factor plays a part, portion control is another important part of the equation. During Latino celebrations and festivities, home-style cooking almost always results in going for seconds. Culturally speaking, finishing off a hefty plate is considered a symbol of good health and appreciation for the cook. For Latinos, this mindset gives us permission to overindulge especially when it comes to authentic and traditional meals that are rich in carbs and fats.

Lucky for us, today we have access to many tools that can help us out in our battle with food. Celebrity chefs and mommy bloggers are sharing home-style cooking by offering up recipes with healthier ingredients, and cooking alternatives such as baked vs. fried.

At AARP, we are excited to be a part of the solution by offering recipes from our celebrity chefs for anyone who enjoys Latin cuisine. AARP en Español has launched a brand new YouTube channel, with our very own food expert, Denisse Oller. She will lead the lineup in her weekly series, Secretos de Cocina con Denisse, where she will be sharing all of her favorite cooking tips and recipes from her cocina latina available at www.aarp.org/denisse.

To get you started on cooking up healthier meal options in less than 30 minutes, I leave with you a couple of our delicious Latino recipes to savor:

Healthy Chicken Chimichangas

Instead of deep-frying, as it is traditional, these healthier chimichangas are brushed with some olive oil and baked.

INGREDIENTS:

1 can reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 large boneless, skinless chicken breast
3/4 cup salsa, plus more for garnish
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1 cup shredded light or reduced-fat Cheddar cheese
1/4 cup finely chopped scallions, plus more for garnish
6 flour tortillas (6 to 8 inches)
2 tbsp. olive oil
Reduced-fat or nonfat sour cream
Shredded lettuce

PREPARATION:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine broth and 1 can of water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add chicken, reduce to a simmer, and cook for 12 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool in poaching liquid for 15 to 30 minutes. Shred chicken using two forks.

2. Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a large bowl, combine chicken, salsa, cumin, oregano, cheese, and scallions. Divide the mixture into 6 portions. Place 1 portion filling in the center of a tortilla; fold left and right sides of tortilla over filling, then fold tops and bottoms over sides to form a square, securing with a toothpick if necessary. Repeat for remaining tortillas.

3. Place each chimichanga seam-side down on a baking sheet and brush with olive oil. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown. Garnish with scallions, salsa, sour cream and lettuce.

Quick Shrimp and Tomato Stew

This shrimp and tomato stew is great for a quick mid-week meal. It’s ready in less than 30 minutes and tastes great over white rice with a slice of avocado or tostones. For the canned stewed tomatoes below, I like to use the kind that is flavored with onions, celery, and green peppers.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 tablespoons sofrito
• 2 bay leaves
• 5 to 10 manzanilla olives (pimento stuffed)
• 1/4 pound smoked ham (diced)
• 1 packet sazón
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1 can (14 1/2 ounces) stewed tomatoes
• 1 pound raw shrimp (medium size, peeled and clean)
• salt to taste
• pepper to taste

Preparation:

1. 1.   In a soup pot, heat the olive oil. Add the sofrito, bay leaves, olives and ham. Sauté over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes.
2. 2.   Add the sazón, tomato sauce, and stewed tomatoes. Bring to a boil and them immediately reduce heat and simmer for about 5 minutes.
3. 3.   Add the shrimp and cook until it just turns pink – about 5 minutes.
4. 4.   Add the salt and pepper to taste and allow simmering for 1 more minute.
5. 5.   Serve hot.

Want to find more? AARP recommends that you check out 16 foods for a long and healthy life; and don’t forget to subscribe to our new YouTube channel!

See also: Tips for cheap summertime fun

As America’s Cheapest Man, I’m sometimes asked if I ever splurge and buy something. In fact, I’ve been asked the question often enough (the answer to which is a resounding “YES!”) that for one of my books I decided to poll hundreds of my fellow cheapskates about the issue. Their answer — a bit of a surprise even to me — was that virtually 100 percent of the frugal folks I polled said they splurge on things from time to time. It’s good to know that even cheapskates can celebrate National Splurge Day, a truly universal, nondiscriminatory holiday.

When cheapskate’s splurge, they do so selectively and deliberately, following these three golden rules of splurging cheapskate-style:

1. Splurge Guilt-Free:  “If I know I that I can’t afford it, how can I really enjoy it?” This is a common sentiment expressed by cheapskates, which is why even when they splurge they make sure that they can truly afford to pay for it before they pull the spending trigger. Sometimes they will set aside a special “mad money” account to fund their guilt-free indulgences. After all, where’s the joy in splurging on something you’ll be paying off on your charge cards for years to come?

2. Splurge without Regrets: Even though a splurge, by definition, is something you really don’t need but simply something you desperately want, that doesn’t mean it should be something that you’ll later regret. Check out these tips for preventing buyer’s remorse whether you’re shopping on National Splurge Day or any other day of the year.

3. Splurge on Experiences, NOT More Stuff:  In my cheapskate poll, by a margin of more than 10 to 1 respondents said that when they do splurge, they tend to splurge on experiences — like travel or celebrations with family — rather than on material objects. Social scientists agree that experiences, even ones that don’t cost a fortune, tend to result in greater happiness than simply acquiring more stuff.

Enjoy National Splurge Day, but remember to Stay Cheap!

Photo credit: londoninflames via Flickr. 

Nygel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy

Not that we would have guessed it, but Mary Murphy has spent part of this season’s “So You Think You Can Dance” audition period under a cloud of fear.  A survivor of thyroid cancer, the boisterous judge revealed to AARP.com that she has “had more health tests that were not looking good.  They thought I had ovarian cancer, and they thought the thyroid cancer had come back.”

She described coming in to work between medical appointments.  “It looked like for sure I had it after the first test.  They were saying you’re going to have an operation and blah-blah-blah,” she recalled.  “Then I got on the internet and read about it…and I thought, ‘What am I going to do with my bucket list?  I haven’t done everything I want to do.’”  Eventually, further tests showed that her ovarian cysts are not cancerous.  Now, a highly-relieved Murphy plans to be extremely good about keeping tabs on her condition, especially “because that’s how it started with my thyroid.  At first it was just a tumor that wasn’t cancerous, but years later it became malignant.  And I hadn’t been keeping a close eye on it because I was so busy.”  Her successful treatment included surgery in 2010.

As for keeping up her sunshiny front on the show these past weeks, the dance champion, choreographer and enthusiastic fan told us it wasn’t a front.   “One thing that’s amazing about dancing — it transforms you, it transports you to another world.  Just seeing that, I don’t care what kind of mood you’re in or what you’re doing.  When you see dancing, it’s uplifting.  With some of the things these kids come up with, you’d have to be a rock not to be moved.”  Those familiar with the outgoing, high-energy “Queen of Scream,” know she means it.   She is so excited about the selection of the Season 10 Top 20 finalists – being revealed on this Tuesday’s (6/18) two-hour episode – ”I get less and less sleep the closer we get.  I’m pretty revved up about it.”

If you’re not already into it, Top 20 night is a perfect time to begin watching the best talent competition show of the summer.  The wow factor of the dance numbers, in terms of creativity, execution and range of styles, continues to amaze.

“If anything, you get more excited because you know dancers push themselves more and more,” Murphy said.  “I feel like they’ve stepped up the game every year.  By now we’ve had several people tell us they were nine years old when they first saw the show, and decided right then and there that someday they were going to be on ‘So You Think You Can Dance.’”

Mistakes, inefficiencies and fraud in the two health care programs come at a steep price to both consumers and taxpayers, points out Joyce A. Rogers, senior vice president of government affairs for AARP, which has endorsed the bill.

“The PRIME Act is a strong first step toward reducing waste, fraud, and abuse in our public health programs,” she says. (PRIME is an acronym for “Preventing and Reducing Improper Medicare and Medicaid Expenditures.”)

While estimates of improper payments vary, Ariel Gonzales, director of health and family advocacy at AARP, says they may account for as much as 10 percent of Medicare spending. With Medicare expenditures at $600 billion a year (and Medicaid at $300 billion a year), that’s a lot of money down the drain.

Related: Medicaid’s Costly Revolving Door

Among other things, the PRIME Act would:

• Make it harder for criminals to steal the identities of physicians.

• Stiffen penalties for stealing the identification numbers of beneficiaries.

• More aggressively enlist older Americans in the fight against fraud, partly by offering better rewards for tips that lead to recoveries.

• Require the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to focus on preventing improper payments in the first place instead of trying to collect money after the fact (as credit-card and other financial services companies do).

• Penalize bill-paying companies that make errors and overpay Medicare and Medicaid service providers.

• Improve information sharing between the federal and state governments, which jointly operate Medicaid.

Rep. Peter Roskam (R-Ill.) said the bill “can help stop fraudsters in their tracks and make Medicare and Medicaid more financially stable for the long term.” He offered the bill with Rep. John Carney (D-Del.); Sens. Tom Carper of (D-Del.) and Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) are co-sponsors of identical legislation in the Senate.

The legislation has been proposed before and not passed, but this year it could become part of a larger health care bill and win approval, Gonzalez said.

Also of Interest

• What’s Congress Up To? How You Can Find Out
• Are Brand Name Drugs Driving Up Medicare Spending?
• Join AARP: Savings, resources and news for your well-being

See the AARP home page for deals, savings tips, trivia and more

We were lucky to grab Barbara so she could share everything she’s learned from the many experts she’s interviewed over the years. Now, she’s sharing that wisdom in the new AARP YouTube Channel series, The Best Of Everything After 50. Each week she’ll explore all the ways we can improve our health, fitness, style and just about everything else by making simple lifestyle changes.

The first few episodes have focused on running after 50 and the right way to do the Push-Up. Future segments will talk about eating the right foods to fight osteoporosis, pulling together the perfect outfit for date night, and what to wear to ace the job interview, plus lots of tips on getting your body back on track.

Take a look at the trailer:

Barbara will cover just about everything you want to know about living your best life after 50. But if you think she’s leaving something out, share your ideas about future segments in the comments section below. We’d love to hear from you!

Be sure to subscribe to the series by following the prompts at the end of the video.

It just so happens that saggy pants is a passion for one Virginia dad. Gil Knowles, a retired Army lieutenant colonel and father of one (Miami TV news reporter Summer Knowles), considers the fad an opportunity to mentor instead of criticize young men who choose to show their behinds.

His book: Help Them Pull Their Pants Up: How Mentors and Communities Can Empower Young African American Men.

See also: Filmmaker Helps Nurture, Care for Orphaned Children (video)

Although he didn’t have a close relationship with his own dad, Knowles says, he’s driven to forge ties with young men who aren’t kin to him. For more than 35 years he has mentored hundreds of young people of various races and ethnicities while working at St. Augustine College in Raleigh, N.C., informally in his church and community, and as CEO of a mentoring consulting business, Knowles What to Do.

His message: “We have to not tell them to pull their pants up but teach them,” says Knowles, 58, of Haymarket, Va. “They’re doing what they know.”

The Miami native with a booming voice and commanding presence says many of the tattooed wearers of low-riding pants are really good kids who are also fragile. So he takes the time to talk to them, get to personally know and encourage them, and build their self-esteem.

His motto: “Respect to connect then correct.”

And he’s seen how taking that time can make a difference. Many of his mentees are now responsible fathers and entrepreneurs.

“Although mentors are not biological fathers, they serve as fill-in dads for those that do not have their real fathers in their lives,” Knowles says.

Knowles has an ally in “General” Larry Platt, who appeared during the ninth season of “American Idol.”

Click here to view the embedded video.

Photo of saggy pants by Malingering via Flickr

Also of Interest

• Have You Had “The Talk”? New York Times Tackles a Thorny Issue
• Are Your Parents At Risk for Financial Fraud?
• Join AARP: Savings, resources and news for your well-being

See the AARP home page for deals, savings tips, trivia and more

Also of Interest

• Where’s Home Sweet Home? Probably Where You Are
• Public Transportation: A Lifeline for Older Adults in Rural America
• Join AARP: Savings, resources and news for your well-being

See the AARP home page for deals, savings tips, trivia and more

]]> http://blog.aarp.org/2013/06/13/retiring-boomers-behind-unprecedented-decrease-in-rural-population/feed/ 0 http://blog.aarp.org/2013/06/13/the-best-all-around-exercise-for-every-post-50-body/ http://blog.aarp.org/2013/06/13/the-best-all-around-exercise-for-every-post-50-body/#comments Thu, 13 Jun 2013 16:00:09 +0000 Barbara Hannah Grufferman http://blog.aarp.org/?p=33186 Beauty & Fashion | Personal Health | Your LifeRecently I introduced you to one of the best exercises anyone, of any age, can do to fight osteoporosis AND get those upper arms looking lean and mean. In case you missed it, click here to read the blog post and see the short video: “Fix the Flaw: How to Get Fit Arms After 50.”  For those of you who were inspired enough to get down and “do ten” (I hope that was all of you!) get ready, ’cause we’re ...

Recently I introduced you to one of the best exercises anyone, of any age, can do to fight osteoporosis AND get those upper arms looking lean and mean. In case you missed it, click here to read the blog post and see the short video: “Fix the Flaw: How to Get Fit Arms After 50.” 

For those of you who were inspired enough to get down and “do ten” (I hope that was all of you!) get ready, ’cause we’re just getting warmed up.

As promised, I’ll now introduce you to what is probably the #1 best all-around, full-body strengthening and toning exercise there is: the Plank. It works out your arms, legs, hips, core, back and tush — pretty much your entire body  — and it’s an exercise that benefits both men and women (like the push-up). But, like most things in life, it isn’t a magic bullet. You need to combine this with other things like eating well, moving your body every day (walking is great), and being committed. If you ‘re considering adding running to your fitness program, check out this article and video for run after 50 . . . for life: “Running After 50: You CAN Do It!”

Join the discussion: Do you exercise regularly?

For sure, it isn’t always easy to firm up our bodies as we get older. The good news? As I learned firsthand after I turned 50 a few years ago, it’s far from impossible, especially if you incorporate this incredibly efficient & effective exercise into your fitness program.

I did my first Plank while taking a mat Pilates class a few years ago. I thought it was incredibly hard, but almost Zen-like because you have to be totally and completely still for 60 seconds. (You may need to work up to that time, as did I.) It’s an amazing exercise that works your entire body.

After I turned 50 and was trying to figure out how to get my body back into shape, lose the postmenopausal 15 pounds I had packed on, and fight osteoporosis by strengthening my muscles, I interviewed many experts for my book who taught me how to do the Plank so it really works. Proper form is key, so be sure to read the instructions below and be sure to watch this video, which is part of the new “The Best of Everything” video series for the AARP YouTube Channel.  The last thing you want to do as you’re embarking on a new fitness program is do it incorrectly and get hurt.

 

Click here to view the embedded video.

Here’s what you’ll need:

•   yoga mat or rug
•   sneakers
•   formfitting workout clothes (so you can check on your form)
•   timer (most smartphones have one)

Here are the rules:

•   Get the green light from your doctor.
•   Do this every day.
•   Try to hold the pose for 60 seconds, but take your time building up to it. Try 30 seconds, then 45, until you hit your goal.
•   If you can take a 10-second “breather” and do another one, go for it!
•   Follow the exact directions for each move (details below).
•   Remember to breathe!
•   Stop doing the exercise if you feel any kind of pain. These should be a challenge, but not painful.

 How to do The Plank:

Hold your body in a “plank” position, simulating the “up” part of a push-up . . . but stay there, holding perfectly still for 30 to 60 seconds. Keep your abs tight and your back flat the entire time, with your elbows slightly bent. Try to lengthen your whole body, reaching back through your heels and forward through the top of your head. Never let your abs droop down. Visualize a string attached to your spine, pulling your belly button up toward the ceiling. In essence, every single part of your body should be tight, taut and still.

When you do the Plank properly, your heart will be pounding, your arms will be shaking, and you’ll be waiting for that little “ding” from your timer letting you know that the 60 seconds (or 30, or 45) have passed.

 (Note: If you have wrist problems, try doing a variation with your arms bent so that your forearms are on the floor facing forward and your shoulders are directly over your elbows, as shown in the video.)

Other things you can do to help with your overall fitness program:

• Try to do some kind of cardio exercise every day for at least 30 minutes: Walk, run, elliptical, swim, bike, Zumba, whatever you enjoy doing.
• Eat small, healthy meals throughout the day (every two to three hours) that include whole grains, dark leafy greens and no processed foods or sugar.
• Drink lots of water and green tea

Questions? I want to hear from you! Let me know how you’re doing with the exercises. For more tips on living your best life after 50 (or 60, or 70…) check out The Best of Everything After 50: The Experts’ Guide to Style, Sex, Health, Money and More and www.bestofeverythingafter50.com. Keep me posted on how you’re doing by subscribing to me on Facebook and “tweeting” me on Twitter at @BGrufferman.  Check out the full video series – The Best of Everything – on the AARP YouTube Channel. 

 

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