Cook noodles according to directions. When 3 minutes are left in cooking time, add broccoli. Drain all and rinse with cool water. Sprinkle with sesame oil. Mix in red pepper and scallions. In blender, combine all sauce ingredients and run at least 5 minutes on high, scraping sides often. Adjust water if needed. Add desired amount of sauce to noodles. Save leftovers for dipping or marinating. (Or make the spring rolls shown below.) So yummy!
I hope the video on Lower Crossed Syndrome motivated you to move – dancing to Momentum videos or cooking something healthy are both great ways to stay on your feet!
All the flavor and none of the cholesterol of beef or pork!
1 brick firm tofu, pressed and shredded
¼ cup tomato sauce
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp soy sauce
2 Tbsp hot sauce
1 Tbsp cumin
1 Tbsp paprika
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp honey
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp garlic powder
15 oz kidney or black beans, optional
Press, drain, and shred tofu. Spray cookie sheet with oil, place tofu on top and spray again. Bake at 425 for 20-25 minutes. Meanwhile, combine all sauce ingredients and simmer on low. When it reaches desired thickness, let cool then mix in tofu and beans if desired. Roll into tortillas with lettuce, guacamole and fresh pico de gallo. Or serve as a main course.
Soak fruit in tea overnight. Preheat oven to 350 and line a square pan with parchment paper. Mix honey, marmalade and spices into fruit. Whisk egg and then add. Fluff flour and oats to break up chunks and mix with fruit. Add optional nuts. Pour into pan and bake 40-45 minutes. Cool and cut into bites or shapes. See the video for a great gift idea!
Boil pasta according to package. Add broccoli for last 5 minutes. When finished, strain and reserve. Meanwhile, melt butter on medium heat. Add flour and spices; whisk briskly. Slowly pour in broth, whisking til thickened. Add milk in small batches, whisking to incorporate until smooth and creamy. Add yeast and mix well. Mix sauce with pasta and broccoli, stirring gently until combined. Season to taste! Creamy vegan comfort food!
CREATE 11-Mar Amazing Vegan Chili
MOVE 27-Mar Proper Neck Alignment
SING 2-Mar Chick Singer Night
20-Mar CD Release Party
EVENTS Upcoming gigs for spring and summer
Short month, big action. Check out the new EVENTS page on my site!
CREATE 17-Feb Pickled Cabbage
MOVE 6-Feb Heart Health Month - Atherosclerosis
SING 2-Feb Love Lies Bleeding performed by
Momentum at Dirigible Brewery
EVENTS 9-Feb New page added! Check it out!
CREATE 7-Jan Walnut Woods Soap - preorder now
Sweet Potato Hummus
MOVE 11-Jan Why Bend Knees While Exercising?
SING 4-Jan Lotta Love, recorded live
15-Jan Come Rock with Us!
Momentum at Dirigible Brewery
Wind down the summer with some great recipes. Or renew your commitment to get in shape and work online with me!
CREATE 16-Aug Roasted Tomato Dressing
24-Aug Roasted Melon Seeds
MOVE 13-Aug Take the MyPlate Quiz
17-Aug Online Classes and Training
SING 29-Aug Blue Bayou, solo
Find my music on Spotify, iTunes, etc. Work on your planks, or try a healthy new salad idea!
CREATE 20-Jun Seaweed Salad
27-Jun Summer Soap Sale
MOVE 9-Jun Plank Progression
SING 3-Jun Spring Fling Fun! (Heat Wave video)
5-Jun Carol Wing Music is Online!
Target heart rate, hearty recipes, new soaps, and the promise of springtime gigs!
CREATE 1-Feb Roasted Vegetable Soup
3-Feb New Soaps: Oat & Honey Scrub, Citrus Blossom
12-Feb Sweet Potato Hash
MOVE 1-Feb Seniors' Chair Workout
16-Feb Am I in the Zone?
SING 21-Feb Earth Day Concert announcement
CREATE 2-Nov 20 Minute Fleece Hat
7-Nov TVP Meatless Balls
MOVE 10-Nov Crunch It Crush It, 7 minute abs
21-Nov Every Day Stretch
SING 1-Nov You're No Good, performed 21_10_23
1-Nov My Favorite Mistake, performed 21_10_23
CREATE 3-Oct Indian Hummus
6-Oct Pink Roses soap
8-Oct Pumpkin Spice Brownies
14-Oct Custom Hats for sale
MOVE 20-Oct Trainer's Lament
SING 12-Oct Friends & Family Concert, Littleton
25-Oct Feel It Still, performed 21_10_23
Excellent advice for older adults who wish to stay safe. Note the focus on staying fit, being aware, and exercising caution!!!
ASK THE NURSE: Reducing fall risks among older adults
Published by Westford CAT December 12, 2025, written by Gail Johnson, BSN, RN, Public Health Nurse
The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), has launched a public health initiative focused on reducing fall risks among older adults. According to NACCHO, one in four adults age 65 and older experiences a fall each year.
Their data also projects that the U.S. population of older adults will grow significantly-from 58 million today to an estimated 82 million by 2050. In 2022 alone, falls among adults 65 and older resulted in approximately 41,000 deaths. On May 9, 2024, the CDC reported that falling can double your chances of falling again and about 319,000 older people are hospitalized each year after suffering a hip fracture.
The Healthy Aging Data Report 2025 from the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative notes that there are 1.6 million residents aged 60 and older living in Massachusetts. Here in Westford, as of 2025, there are about 3,260 residents aged 65 and older, making up roughly 13% of the town’s population of more than 24,000.
Definition of a fall
An older adult fall is when a person age 65 or older unintentionally ends up on the ground or lower level, not because of a medical event like a stroke, but because they lose their balance or slip.
What are the risk factors for falls
There are several factors that can increase an older adult’s risk of falling.
A history of previous falls, which can lead to depression, isolation, and fear of falling again.
Slower reaction time with increasing age.
Medications such as sleep aids, blood pressure medications, and diuretics.
Medical conditions including diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD, vertigo, incontinence, arthritis, mobility or gait problems, & Vitamin D deficiency.
Cognitive changes such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
Vision difficulties or impairments.
Hearing loss.
Fall Prevention Tips
Talk with your doctor
Review your medications and their potential side effects that may increase fall risk.
Share your history of falls and any other medical conditions, such as diabetes, vertigo, muscle or joint pain, shortness of breath, or gait disorders.
Use assistive devices like canes, walkers, grab bars in the shower, or shower seat, and handrails.
To help prevent orthostatic hypotension increase fluids and change position slowly.
Stay active and improve balance
Engage in regular physical activity and balance training to boost strength, coordination, and stability.
Wear proper, nonskid footwear-avoid slippers or loose-fitting shoes.
Make your home safe
Remove clutter and secure loose electrical cords.
Ensure furniture does not block walkways.
Secure rugs to the floor. (throw/scatter rugs)
Clean up spills immediately.
Be mindful of small pets and other obstacles.
Ensure you don’t get entangled in your bedspread, as that can be a tripping hazard when getting out of bed. Slippery fabric like satins can potentially increase the chances of sliding off the bed.
Protect your vision and awareness
Use adequate lighting, especially on stairs and in areas you walk frequently. Use a nightlight or keep a flashlight nearby.
Avoid walking in dark areas when possible.
Poor vision is a major risk factor for falls, like cataracts, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. Make sure to check your vision yearly, or more often as requested by your doctor.
Be careful when wearing progressive lenses as this might impair your depth perception, and blur peripheral vision.
These steps can help reduce the risk of falls and make your home a safer environment. By taking small, practical steps every day, older adults can significantly reduce their risk of falling and preserve their independence, confidence, and quality of life. Fall prevention begins with awareness and regular check-ins with your doctor, and with the right support, many falls can be prevented.
Fantastic on meats and chicken, in hummus and dips, or on roasted vegetables.
1 Tbsp sesame seeds
1 Tbsp cumin seeds
1 Tbsp coriander seeds
1 Tbsp thyme
1 Tbsp dried sumac (see Sumac Season post)
1 tsp kosher salt
Toast sesame, cumin, and coriander seeds 1-2 min on medium heat until fragrant and barely brown. Cool, then place in spice grinder with all other ingredients. Pulse to fine powder. Store in a covered glass jar.