http://www.boomercoffeehouse.com/index.php Strategies for living the next 50 years en michael@boomertake2.com Copyright 2008 2008-08-03T16:25:00-05:00 http://www.boomercoffeehouse.com/index.php/news/article/fermentation_gone_wild/ http://www.boomercoffeehouse.com/index.php/news/article/fermentation_gone_wild/#When:16:25:00Z Using the natural yeast floating around in the air, I’ve captured it and put it to good use.  The wild yeast has made its home in my mason jar wher I keep it fed.  It’s so happy there, that it creates the natural bubbles that I then turn into my own natural ginger ale - with real ginger and brown sugar. Cooking Organic 2008-08-03T16:25:00-05:00 http://www.boomercoffeehouse.com/index.php/news/article/west_sonoma_inn_spa_joins_eco_ring_and_is_one_of_thirty_green_certified_bus/ http://www.boomercoffeehouse.com/index.php/news/article/west_sonoma_inn_spa_joins_eco_ring_and_is_one_of_thirty_green_certified_bus/#When:21:14:00Z West Sonoma Inn & Spa is one of the thirty certified energy-conserving businesses who were presented with a green business certificate recognizing them for “environmental performance through conserving energy and water, preventing pollution and minimizing waste.” Living Green 2008-07-30T21:14:00-05:00 http://www.boomercoffeehouse.com/index.php/news/article/wine_lovers_retreat_offers_great_value_great_views_and_lots_of_green/ http://www.boomercoffeehouse.com/index.php/news/article/wine_lovers_retreat_offers_great_value_great_views_and_lots_of_green/#When:20:59:00Z Fantastic views of surrounding vineyards paired with heavenly spots to lay your head!  Green Certified by EcoRing; a community outreach program designed to educate and aid businesses, residents and visitors to act responsibly toward the environment, West Sonoma Inn & Spa helps pave the path for positive change. Living Green 2008-07-30T20:59:00-05:00 http://www.boomercoffeehouse.com/index.php/news/article/i_now_believe_dreaming/ http://www.boomercoffeehouse.com/index.php/news/article/i_now_believe_dreaming/#When:23:16:01Z I guess it was thirty years ago when I made the decision to become a nurse. I chose the field of operating room nursing, knowing it would be challenging both emotionally and physically. Most important, however, I also felt it would be rewarding personally and give me the solid income I would need as a single parent. Recently, I turned sixty, and saw retirement approaching. This meant the time constraints and financial responsibilities of raising a family were behind me, my children now grown and busy with their own lives. I realized that this was now a time to give back to myself some of the things I had put on hold all these years....The big question was, what would I change now that I was approaching this new phase in life? A Time for Self Expression It was now time for me to look to the future as a time to do something personally satisfying — a time for self expression you might say. This was not part of my present job. Although my present job offered many things, it was not a place where self expression was valued. Contrary to that, an operating room nurse is valued for following policies and procedures, the ability to juggle a hectic day’s work and put in the long hours when needed. To help me decide what I might like to do, I spent a considerable amount of time thinking about those things I valued most about my present work as an operating room nurse. There are many things...friendships, challenges, being part of a community, and of course a comfortable income. Those types of things would have to remain a piece of my future plan. Then I thought about what brings me happiness… Re-Invention, Life & Leisure 2008-07-23T23:16:01-05:00 http://www.boomercoffeehouse.com/index.php/news/article/central_bank_body_warns_of_great_depression/ http://www.boomercoffeehouse.com/index.php/news/article/central_bank_body_warns_of_great_depression/#When:23:03:00Z In its latest quarterly report, the body points out that the Great Depression of the 1930s was not foreseen and that commentators on the financial turmoil, instigated by the US sub-prime mortgage crisis, may not have grasped the level of exposure that lies at its heart. According to the BIS, complex credit instruments, a strong appetite for risk, rising levels of household debt and long-term imbalances in the world currency system, all form part of the loose monetarist policy that could result in another Great Depression. The report points out that between March and May of this year, interbank lending continued to show signs of extreme stress and that this could be set to continue well into the future. It also raises concerns about the Chinese economy and questions whether China may be repeating mistakes made by Japan, with its so-called bubble economy of the late 1980s. EDITORS NOTE: Quite a few comments have been made that there is no direct reference to the Great Depression in this month’s BIS report. While this is strictly true, BIS warned in June 2007 - just before the Credit Crunch really hit - that the global economy was vulnerable to a major economic set-back because of extraordinary exposure to collateralized credit. BIS directly made references to the 1930’s as an example of a similarly serious credit bubble, and this month’s BIS report describes the conditions of this being lived out. So, to be pedantic, the warning 1.)“BIS warns of Great Depression” is actually a year old already. What BIS discusses now is the fragility of existing conditions of the fall-out from a massive credit bubble bursting - which has already been made clear across their reports historically can be similarly referenced to the 1930’s, though stated in a typically conservative and non-alarmist language. Even what optimism BIS had about a weak recovery to the end of May 2008 have been dashed by extreme shorting of financial stocks across the US and UK - Lehman Brothers, HBOS, and property developers such as Barratts, have all taken extreme beatings in June 2008. So back to the headline - BIS have indeed already warned of repeat of conditions that could be as extreme as the Great Depression, and are now describing that process as we move through it. In the meantime, unemployment is already on the rise on both sides of the pond, and the analogy some people have concerns about I’m afraid is still salient. by Gill Montia Spotlight 2008-07-22T23:03:00-05:00 http://www.boomercoffeehouse.com/index.php/news/article/ginger_miel_and_ginger_fizz/ http://www.boomercoffeehouse.com/index.php/news/article/ginger_miel_and_ginger_fizz/#When:16:43:00Z I’m a ginger lover. I cook with it, infuse honey with it, drink it as tea, get it in ice-cream, eat it as candy. Ginger has digestive health benefits as well as being delicious and zingy. I also enjoy ginger ale and ginger beer from time to time, but like candied ginger, i tend to limit my use of them these days because of the high sugar content. Cooking Organic 2008-07-13T16:43:00-05:00 http://www.boomercoffeehouse.com/index.php/news/article/honoring_your_empty_nest_feelings/ http://www.boomercoffeehouse.com/index.php/news/article/honoring_your_empty_nest_feelings/#When:14:05:00Z Empty today. Sad, worried, lonely, achy, anxious, immobile.  Let just a little light in through the pain. Change always happens. In the center is the paradox of carrying hope and crying. Grieving is real. We just aren’t use to paradoxes. Words like, both are true, and this is also how I feel, aren’t communicated very often. We weren’t taught to have a range of feelings and to honor all of them as value.  All of the feelings build our heart muscles and add wonderment to life. Each experience, if you look back in your life, has added something for you to toss, re-evaluate, honor, and forgive. Oh how human we are! But we long for the peace and good times as a constant. But when have the world, weather, and people, ever been constant? Empty Nest 2008-07-13T14:05:00-05:00 http://www.boomercoffeehouse.com/index.php/news/article/are_your_priorities_keeping_you_from_what_really_matters/ http://www.boomercoffeehouse.com/index.php/news/article/are_your_priorities_keeping_you_from_what_really_matters/#When:19:41:00Z When do you realize when the people in your life hold the key to the truly priceless moments?  Summer is a great time to re-create the bonds with the people who really matter — your family and friends. Take a moment to read this article and see if your priorities are in order. Re-Invention 2008-06-29T19:41:00-05:00 http://www.boomercoffeehouse.com/index.php/news/article/gratitude_its_everywhere_when_you_know_where_to_look/ http://www.boomercoffeehouse.com/index.php/news/article/gratitude_its_everywhere_when_you_know_where_to_look/#When:19:28:00Z This is a packed month with celebrations for those graduates, fathers, new borns, weddings etc… There are all sorts of things to be thankful for. This is a time for gratitude. What are you thankful for? Re-Invention 2008-06-29T19:28:00-05:00 http://www.boomercoffeehouse.com/index.php/news/article/a_book_review_living_green_a_practical_guide_to_simple_sustainability/ http://www.boomercoffeehouse.com/index.php/news/article/a_book_review_living_green_a_practical_guide_to_simple_sustainability/#When:22:57:00Z An absolutely amazing book given to me at the Green Earth Expo in Orlando, FL, May 2008. Written by Greg Horn, “Living Green, A Practical Guide to Simple Sustainability” gives you the informational tools and resources you need to stay connected and engage in a more sustainable life. Living Green 2008-06-16T22:57:00-05:00