WOW!! I’m overwhelmed!! I’ve received so many positive responses from women (and men) all over the world who follow my Facebook posts, asking me to share my secrets to healthy living after revealing some of my latest photos. A photo is the most honest reflection of our health and vibrancy.

As I sat with my photographer (an amazingly talented local photographer/branding specialist, Gina Cinardo Studios), she turned to me and said, “Linda, you are a prime example of sexy after sixty!”

I took that as a great compliment!

To me, sexy means the same thing as alive and vibrant, attracting people with your energy. I attribute the sexiness to the fact that I take really good care of myself.  I had good training from my mother (94 and still fit) and three sisters. My father was a dentist, and understood the value of healthy lifestyle back in the 60s before it was trendy. Good role models are so important. I want to be a role model for my children and all the women who follow my blog, so I’m sharing some of my lifestyle secrets in hopes you find your sexy after 60, too!

My lifestyle secrets fall under the philosophy of The Art of Sensual Living:

1 – Healthy Eating

2 – Body Movement

3 – Self-Image Fitness

4 – Gardening & Outdoor Activities

5 – Inner State of Mind

6 -The Arts (Anything That Expands Your Consciousness)

7 – Life Balance

I’ve had this book in the making for quite a few years — just haven’t written it yet!  My life has had ups and downs, but throughout it all I’ve maintained a sense of curiosity and gratitude, and the understanding that without balance I would surely lose everything. So every day I work at balancing the inner and outer — the yin and yang — of my body, mind, and spirit.

I’ll start with the first two secrets, healthy eating and body movement, because they’re top of the list and easiest to describe.

Sensual Living Tip #1: Healthy Eating

It all starts here — how you treat yourself on the inside. As you know, you have to nourish your body in order to manifest health and wellness. It really is that simple. HOWEVER, I admit this is quite a challenge as I get older, busier, and healthy food gets more expensive. I’ve learned that I don’t need nearly as much food as I used to — my husband used to say I ate like a truck driver. Yes I did! But my metabolism has slowed down and I just can’t work out as hard as I used to. So I manage what I eat as best I can. Here’s a typical menu for a typical day:

Breakfast: A bowl of Quaker Oats (the whole oats), sprinkled with a couple tablespoons of ground flax seed, handful of walnuts (I keep all my nuts in the freezer because they do get stale quickly), 1/2 sliced banana (my dogs get the other half), tablespoon of barley malt for sweetness, and a little almond milk on top and a sprinkle of cinnamon. I cook my oatmeal with rice milk and almond milk — my husband and I are both lactose intolerant so we substitute cow’s milk with rice and almond. Two cups of coffee get me going!

Lunch: Either a turkey, avocado, lettuce, cucumber sandwich or leftover brown rice bowl stir fried with broccoli, kale, mushrooms, chicken, or whatever I have on hand. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and tamari sauce. Sometimes I have a huge bowl of lettuce with all sorts of raw veggies and chicken on top. I never eat bottled salad dressing because I make my own. Here’s a good mix: 4 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar or lemon juice, a tablespoon of Dijon mustard, tablespoon of real maple syrup, 4 tablespoons of olive oil (more or less to taste), salt & pepper. Mix up in a small jar. Water to drink. Lunch is becoming my big meal of the day. It takes me longer to digest my food now, so I eat very little for dinner.

Dinner: Nothing or a small salad or leftovers. My husband and I find this is the best way to control our weight by eating very little at dinner. I used to drink wine at night but that doesn’t even agree with me anymore, so once in a while I have a cold beer with dinner. If you’re entertaining or going out to meet friends or a date for dinner, go for it — eat, drink, and be merry!

Here are a couple favorite recipes:

Nut & Honey Cookies

Healthy Oat & Nut Butter Cookies (Living without sweets once in a while is downright boring!)

Ingredients:

  • 1 ¼ cups oats (quick or regular)
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour (see note)
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2 large egg whites
  • ½ cup honey
  • 1/3 cup nut butter (peanut, almond, sunflower seed, etc.)
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup mashed ripe banana (1 medium – see note)
  • 1 cup shredded apple (1 medium)
  • 1/3 cup dried fruit (chopped apricots, cranberries, raisins, etc.)
  • ¼ cup roasted and salted pepitas or almonds, pecans, etc.

Directions:

Preheat to 350. In medium bowl, whisk together oats, flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. In separate large bowl, whisk together egg whites, honey, nut butter and vanilla. Stir in banana. Gradually stir in flour mixture; stir just until combined. Fold in apple, dried fruit and pepitas.Line large baking sheet with parchment paper. Using 2 spoons (spray with coconut cooking spray) drop 1 heaping tablespoon mixture 2 inches apart; press down to flatten slightly.Bake cookies 12 minutes or until lightly browned. This makes soft cookies. Cook 14-15 minutes for crisper cookies.

Note:For crisper cookies, I changed the flour to all-purpose white, used ½ banana, and baked cookies 2-3 minutes longer.

Thug Kitchen Coconut Lime Mango Rice

Coconut-Lime Rice With Red Beans And Mango

The Thug Kitchen cookbook is a hoot! The language is a little crass, but it cracks me up. If you’re easily offended by swear words then don’t buy the cookbook. It’s a vegetarian cookbook, and filled with flavorful, nutritious recipes. Love their vegetarian lasagna! This particular recipe is wonderful if you happen to find a ripe mango. The creamy coconut milk, mango, and lime combination is a wonderful treat in the summer. This can be a side dish or your entire meal.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups short-grain brown rice
  • 2 teaspoons neutral-tasting oil (I use olive oil)
  • 1 cup diced shallots or onion
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoons minced fresh ginger (I use more like 4 tablespoons because I love ginger)
  • 1 cup canned coconut milk
  • 2 1/2 cups vegetable broth
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 mango
  • 1 1/2 cups cooked red beans (I use black beans or any canned beans I have around)
  • Grated zest and juice of 1 lime
  • Chopped cilantro or green onions (for garnish)

Directions:

  1. Rinse the rice under cool water. Heat oil over medium heat in a large soup pot. Add the shallots or onion and saute until they start to brown in some spots, about 3 minutes. Add the ginger and saute for 30 seconds until everything smells choice. Add the rice and keep stirring until the rice starts to smell slightly toasted, about 2 minutes. Add the coconut milk, broth, salt, and cayenne pepper and bring to a simmer. Give the pot a quick stir, cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer for about 40 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender. If your rice isn’t done by the time the liquid is absorbed, add a little more broth or water.
  2. While the rice is cooking, chop up the mango into bite-size pieces.
  3. When the rice is tender, fold in the beans, lime zest, lime juice, and mango. Let cook for another minute or so until everything is warm. Serve topped with cilantro or green onions.

Sensual Living Tip #2: Body Movement

My good friend, Cynthia Miller, once told me that she prefers the term “body movement” instead of “exercise.” I like it, too! It’s much less negatively charged. Ugh, I have to exercise now — versus, I feel like moving my body now!

Every day I try to move my body. I know what my doctor recommends — get my heart rate up for at least 20 minutes every day — but sometimes it’s just not going to happen. So I at least go for a long walk or walk around my property pulling weeds or planting or watering. Something to move my body and burn calories.

Calories In — Calories Out

Simple and sweet. That’s how it works! You have to burn the calories you take in, otherwise it turns to fat.

I’m a runner — sort of. My knees aren’t the best, but I love to run. It’s something I can do without any preparation or getting into my car to go to the gym. I run 2 miles almost every day with my dog, Rita. If I skip the run she reminds me before the sun goes down. It’s good to have a buddy! Gym workouts are fantastic. Lifting weights, Going to a yoga or dance class. Riding a stationary bike or biking on a trail. It’s all good. Whatever you like to do.

Here’s my advice: Choose a body movement activity that you can get addicted to. You know you’re addicted to moving your body when you skip it one day and you feel out of sorts — sort of depressed or moody. Body movement is a good addiction!

Another piece of advice: Take care of yourself first. There are always clothes to be washed, grandchildren to get picked up, meals to be cooked, businesses to run. Put yourself at the top of your list — especially after you’ve reached this wonderful age after fifty, you deserve to put yourself first now. You’ve done so much for so many others. Just do it!

Last piece of advice: Buy really cute athleisure wear — there are so many companies, like LuLuLemon, Athletica and LuLaRoe, making super cute tops and leggings. It will get you motivated to get out there and move your body when you’re wearing something expressive and sassy! Sure beats an oversized tee shirt and ripped shorts. Remember you’re a stylish woman!!

Stay tuned for the next series of The Art of Sensual Living Tips!