What is Your "Core?" Why it's important.

Something you hear a lot about in relation to health and fitness is your body's core. This is a complex series of muscles that include your abdominal muscles, lower back and much more. It's sometimes called your body's "central hub."

The core is especially important to seniors, and not just for building flashy abs (abdominal muscles).

A strong core stabilizes your entire body, giving you better balance and better posture. A strong core can even help prevent falls. ¹ Naturally, exercise is key to strong body core maintenance.

Walking is seen as a great way to build up your core. Also helpful are "plank" exercises and "chair" exercises (ask a fitness instructor about these).

1.Ben Kissam, "3 Perfect Core Exercises for Seniors," Warrior Made, https://www.warriormade.com/content/exercise/core-exercises-for-seniors/ (accessed June 4, 2021)

Remember that Medicare-covered "e-visits" allow you to talk to your doctor online without leaving your home.

Medicare covers Prostate Cancer Screenings

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men (other than skin cancer). Expectations for 2021 call for about 248,530 new cases of prostate cancer.

The good news is Medicare is doing its best to help fight this disease. Medicare covers a (prostate specific) digital antigen test and a rectal exam for men over 50 once a year.

You pay nothing for the digital test. You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for the rectal exam, the Part B deductible and a copayment in a hospital setting.

2. "Key Statistics for Prostate Cancer," American Cancer Society, https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/about/key-statistics.html (accessed June 4, 2021)

IMPORTANT: If you start collecting reduced Social Security benefits early, your payments will not automatically increase when you reach full retirement age. Contact me at American Senior Benefits for details.

Good Taste, Good Health

FOR YOUR GRILL: Chile-Lime Clams with Tomatoes and Grilled Bread

Enjoy this summer time dish, clams, cooked on a grill and skillet!

INGREDIENTS:

• 6 tbsp unsalted butter— cut into pieces and divided
• 2 chopped large shallots
• 4 garlic cloves thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 cup beer
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• One 15.5-oz can chickpeas — rinsed
• 2 tbsp (or more) sambal oelek
• 24 scrubbed littleneck clams
• 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 4 thick slices country-style bread
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Kosher salt
• ½ cup cilantro leaves with tender stems.
• Lime wedges (for serving).

DIRECTIONS:

Prepare a grill for medium indirect heat (for a gas grill, leave one or two burners off. For a charcoal grill, bank coals on one side of grill. Place a large cast-iron skillet on grill over direct heat (move it around to cooler part of grill as you cook if needed). Melt 4 tbsp butter in skillet. Add shallots and garlic and cook. Stir often, until soft. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring often, until paste darkens to rich brick-red color. Add beer/tomatoes. Bring to boil and cook until beer is reduced nearly by half. Stir in chickpeas and sambal oelek. Add clams. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until clams have opened (could take from 5–10 min depending on size of clams and heat level). Remove from heat. Discard clams that don't open. Stir in lime juice and remaining 2 tbsp butter. While the clams are cooking on the grill, drizzle bread with oil and season lightly with salt. Grill until golden brown and crisp.

Transfer toast to plates and spoon clam mixture over. Top with cilantro. Serve with lime wedges for squeezing over.

Fighting Memory Loss; Improving Brain Power

For seniors, age-related memory loss can be a top concern. Even if it's not particularly serious, it can be inconvenient and embarrassing.

But can you do anything to improve your memory and brain power? Some reports suggest you may be able to prompt some improvements. ^{(Seniors at Home)}

One idea is to play "thinking games" — crossword puzzles and chess are great examples. If you don't have anyone to play with, there are many games available to play online so you can socialize and keep your mind sharp at the same time!

Or learn a new skill, like woodworking, music or a new language. These activities are said to help keep your mind active and boost self-esteem.

ALL OF US AT AMERICAN SENIOR BENEFITS WISH YOU A GREAT SUMMER SEASON!

Senior Financial Glossary

A value added tax is placed on a product whenever value is added at each stage of the supply chain.

A corporate expense that changes in proportion to how much a company produces, or sells is a variable cost

The velocity of money is of the rate at which money is exchanged in an economy.

Vertical Markets are groups of companies focused on a specific niche.

SOURCE: Investopedia

Did you know this about July?

July 2, 1788, U.S. Constitution was ratified.

The fall of the Bastille and beginning of the French Revolution occurred July 14, 1789.

July 1, 1863, the Battle of Gettysburg began.

July 26, 1956, the Italian Luxury Liner, Andrea Doria, sank.

Birthdays ⁴: Kevin Hart, (July 6), Tom Hanks (9), Selena Gomez (22) Mick Jagger (26)

SOURCE: Famous Birthdays

Quote of the Month

"I'm not going to limit myself just because people won't accept the fact that I can do something else."
- Dolly Parton

5. BrainyQuote

For information about Medicare or Claiming Social Security, please visit [[SPONSOR_URL]]. Should you have any questions, please email me at [[SPONSOR_EMAIL]] or call [[SPONSOR_PHONE]].