In This Issue · 2018-04-19 · Get your fishing fix at the region’s hottest spots Vehicle Profile: 2018 Honda Odyssey Honda delivers the ideal family vehicle with its recently

Volume Issue • April 2018

In This Issue:

Best Party Games for After the Kids Go to BedStart grown-up game night with these favorites

Assistance League Of Northern Virginia4 Places to Go Fishing in the Mid-AtlanticGet your fishing fix at the region’s hottest spots

Vehicle Profile: 2018 Honda OdysseyHonda delivers the ideal family vehicle with its recently redesigned Odyssey minivan

Vehicle Profile: 2018 Honda PilotPopular SUV offers power, versatility and fun

We Won't Be Beaten!Free Multi-Point InspectionMilitary Discount 15% OffFree VA State InspectionGenuine Honda Brake Pad ReplacementHonda Timing Belt & Water Pump SpecialNew Tire SpecialJoyce Koons Auto BodyEnd-of-Winter Maintenance ChecksTips to ensure a smooth ride into the spring

Overnight Breakfast RecipesA scrumptious way to start your morning

How to Get Your Home Buyer-ReadyMake your house feel like a potential buyer’s new home

Unique Ways to Commemorate Memorial Day10 ideas for honoring the military on May 28th

Exercises to Strengthen Your BrainWays to exercise your brain for better health

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Best Party Games for After the Kids Go to BedStart grown-up game night with these favorites

Whether you’re getting your closest friends together or having a competitive date night with yourpartner, these games are sure to challenge your mind, test your luck and entertain everyone duringthe child-free late evening hours.

Party for two

ApartmentTherapy.com writerTaryn Williford recommends Z-ManGames’ “Carcassonne” as a stellarchoice for an intimate game nightwith your partner. In this tile-layinggame, you and your partnerstrategically place your own roads,fields and cities on the game boardwhile attempting to prevent oneanother from achieving growth bystealing away followers. The gameis ultimately won by the player withthe best strategy and mostfollowers, but nobody loses if youadd this exciting board game toyour collection.

If you and your partner would ratherpool your strengths to conquer agame instead of competing against one another, Williford suggests Z-Man Games’ “Pandemic.”Together, you and your partner will work to curtail the outbreak of potentially world-ending diseases.With multiple available expansions and stand-alone spin-offs — including the popular “Pandemic:Reign of Cthulhu” — no two games will ever play alike, making it ideal for multiple evenings in.

Group game night

If you prefer to entertain those near and dear to you on game night — or to humiliate them with agood-natured, yet soul-crushing, defeat — you can get together with a larger group and indulge in arousing game of Imholding Games’ “Draw WHAT?!” Teams of two or more will race to be the first tothe end of the game board by drawing or acting out words and phrases on corresponding cards. Bewarned, however, that the words and phrases in “Draw WHAT?!” are not for those who blush easily.

If you fancy yourself a cat person, or if you are inordinately interested in “explosions and laser beamsand sometimes goats,” you’ll no doubt relish a game of “Exploding Kittens.” At one time the No. 1most-backed game ever on Kickstarter, this card game deftly mixes strategic gameplay and quirkyconcepts for what is sure to become a staple of many get-togethers to come.

For your friends who cannot part with their phones even for a millisecond, Uncommongoods’ “Game ofPhones” is genius. According to ApartmentTherapy.com writers Guerrin Gardner and Mat Sanders:“The premise is simple: everyone grabs their smartphones. One player picks a card and gets to judgethat round. The rest of the players have 60 seconds to respond to the card’s prompt with thefunniest/weirdest thing they can come up with on their phones.”

Another app-based game recommended by Garnder and Sanders that is sure to please a diversecrowd is “Heads Up!” You may have seen this game (available on Google Play and the App Store) on

“The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” Like the classic “Who Am I?” drinking game, “Heads Up!” requires aplayer to hold a smartphone against their forehead or above their head while other players give themclues about the word, name or phrase displayed on the screen.

When the kids are off to bed, you can unleash your inner child with your closest friends and family byplaying these and other games. Whether you prefer the challenge of competitive strategy or funword-association, options abound. Just make sure you keep the noise down somewhat while the littleones are sleeping.

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Assistance League Of Northern Virginia

We're proud to support the Assistance League Of Northern Virginia. Our donation will help supporttheir 2018-2019 Operation School Bell, the goal of which is to feed, clothe, and educate at riskchildren in the community. If you'd like more information, you can head over to their website fordetails.


4 Places to Go Fishing in the Mid-AtlanticGet your fishing fix at the region’s hottest spots

For all of the spring and summertime activities that it has to offer residents and visitors, theMid-Atlantic is perhaps most beloved for its rich fishing prospects. Whether you’re an experiencedangler looking to challenge yourself and set a new personal best or a beginner looking to get your linewet for the first time, the region has a fishing spot that can accommodate your skill level andaspirations.

Fletcher’s Cove (Washington,D.C.)

WTOP Digital Editor Hanna Choirecommends Fletcher’s Cove asone of the premier fishing spots inthe District of Columbia region,citing its popularity with visitors andresidents going back as far as themid-1800s. With convenient accessto the Potomac River, ChesapeakeBay and Ohio Canal, the Fletcher’sCove waters are home to Americanshad, river herring and stripedbass, making it as fine a spot forfishing as it is for sightseeing. TheFletcher’s Boathouse offers visitorseverything from licenses to tackle,so be sure to stop in before youembark on your journey.

Mossy Creek (Virginia)

If you’re talking about fly fishing in Virginia, anyone in the know will offer up two words: Mossy Creek.The state’s most revered fly-fishing locale for 40 years, the Virginia Department of Game and InlandFisheries writes that this limestone creek is “especially challenging to beginning fly anglers, and caneven frustrate experienced fishermen.” So long as you are willing to embrace the challenge, thereward can be great — Mossy Creek’s prized catch is brown trout, which can measure up to 25inches. Other potential catches include brook and rainbow trout, rock bass, sculpins and pearl dace.

Brandywine Creek (Delaware)

Tranquility and lush greenery abound in Wilmington’s Brandywine Creek, which was the setting forthe longest single-day battle in the American Revolution. While Brandywine Creek State Park isfavorable for hikers, bird watchers and general nature lovers alike, it is especially a treasure trove forthose who love to fish — its waters are abundant with smallmouth bass, bluegill and crappie, and thenearby Wilson Run is home to sizable trout.

Assateague Island National Seashore (Maryland)

The barrier island of Assateague is a destination that attracts countless visitors from across theMid-Atlantic every year with the promise of everything from hiking and camping to horseback ridingand shell collecting. Anglers looking for a different kind of challenge flock to Assateague IslandNational Seashore both for the opportunity to go surf fishing for flounder, sea trout and croaker andthe chance to try their hand at shellfishing and haul in fresh crabs and clams.

After the harshness of winter has passed, the return of springtime in the Mid-Atlantic is an invigoratingwakeup call that restores it and its denizens to a state of tranquility and warmth. For those who countfishing as one of their personal favorite pastimes, or for those looking to give the sport a try at longlast, spring and summer are particularly fruitful times; don’t wait any longer than you have to beforeyou break out your rod and tacklebox and put it to the test.



Vehicle Profile: 2018 Honda OdysseyHonda delivers the ideal family vehicle with its recently redesignedOdyssey minivan

Most modern families are selecting SUVs and crossovers as their family-haulers of choice. On thesurface, it might seem like the minivan segment is past its prime in many respects. However, the 2018Honda Odyssey is here to deliver a revitalized sense of style to the minivan world. The newlyredesigned Odyssey is advanced, comfortable and safe — everything a great family vehicle shouldbe.

Creating a comfortable cabin

Nobody wants to haul their kidsaround in a cramped,uncomfortable cabin. The 2018Honda Odyssey providespassengers with plenty of room andits cabin is filled with amenities thatplace great emphasis on keepingoccupants comfortable. TheOdyssey’s automatic climatecontrol comes with an air filtrationsystem, creating optimal climateconditions no matter what time ofthe year it is. Parents with messychildren will appreciate theavailable HondaVAC vacuumcleaner, a quick fix for anyin-vehicle messes.

An advanced Odyssey

Amenities featured within the 2018Honda Odyssey weren’t just designed to create comfort for your passengers. The Odyssey is alsoequipped with plenty of advanced entertainment systems and technologies to keep everyone happyduring even the longest of drives. The 2018 Odyssey comes standard with a color LCD screen andmulti-view rear camera, perfect for navigating through crowded parking lots, and the standard audiosystem comes with seven speakers, letting everybody in the vehicle enjoy their favorite songs.Upgrading to higher trims of the Odyssey will also upgrade the technology featured within the minivan,adding features like the Blu-Ray/DVD rear entertainment system.

Designed with safety in mind

Of course, Honda understands that the most important technology that a vehicle can provide familiesis safety technology. As such, the 2018 Honda Odyssey comes offered with an extensive lineup ofactive and passive safety functions. Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) with Traction Control is one ofthe Honda Odyssey’s standard safety systems, supplying stability to the Odyssey in worrisomeweather conditions. If an accident does occur, the Odyssey’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering™(ACE™) Body Structure can help cushion the blow. The Honda Odyssey’s best safety systems areincluded with the available Honda Sensing® safety suite and include the Collision Mitigation BrakingSystem™ (CMBS™), which works to prevent last-second collisions with vehicles in front of theOdyssey, and the Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), which assists drivers with staying in theirdesignated lane.

The minivan segment is making quite the comeback, and the 2018 Honda Odyssey is leading thecharge.



Vehicle Profile: 2018 Honda PilotPopular SUV offers power, versatility and fun

The 2018 Honda Pilot proves yet again that it is a dependable member of Honda’s lineup. Here’s whyit’s a smart choice for your family.

Mighty fine performance

The 2018 Honda Pilot is availablein five trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L,Touring, and Elite. Each version ofthe Pilot comes with a 3.5-liter V6engine that’s paired with asix-speed automatic transmission,which upgrades to a nine-speedautomatic with Paddle Shifters onthe Touring and Elite versions.With its direct fuel injection and EcoAssist™ systems, the 2018 Pilot’spowertrain manages to balancefuel efficiency — averaging 22 mpgcombined in two-wheel drive —and power, reaching 280horsepower at 6,000 RPM and 262lb-ft of torque at 4,700 RPM.*

Performance tools like Hill StartAssist and Intelligent TractionManagement help keep the 2018Pilot firmly under control on the road even in challenging conditions. Choose two-wheel drive orupgrade to all-wheel drive when customizing your Pilot to further enhance performance.

Features for the family

Capable of accommodating seven or eight passengers depending on the seating configuration, the2018 Pilot knows it’s important to keep your passengers comfortable and entertained.

The entry-level LX trim comes with the basics: 15 beverage holders, USB audio interface, 12-voltpower outlets and rear seat heater ducts. To really take advantage of what the 2018 Pilot offers,consider upgrading to a higher trim level. Available comfort features include tri-zone automatic climatecontrol system with humidity control, 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbarsupport, ventilated front seats and heated first- and second-row seating.

As for infotainment, families who take frequent road trips won’t be able to resist upgrading to the8-inch display audio with high-resolution WVGA electrostatic touchscreen, customizable featuresettings, Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ integration, SiriusXM® radio, Pandora® compatibility,Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ or the Blu-Ray rear entertainment system.

To see all the ways the 2018 Honda Pilot exceeds expectations, take a test drive with your family.

*Based on EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary dependingon driving conditions, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, battery-package/condition, and otherfactors.



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End-of-Winter Maintenance ChecksTips to ensure a smooth ride into the spring

Winter is over, and soon you’ll be able to roll down the windows, open the sunroof and bask in abright sunny day of driving. Now is the time to compile your end-of-winter to-do list and put togetheryour vehicle maintenance checklist. By repairing any damage your car suffered during winter andreadying it for a new season, you’ll sail through spring with far fewer automotive worries.

Battery

Cold weather doesn’t just sap yourenergy levels. It also drains yourcar’s battery, and it does so at analarming rate. Just because yourcar still starts as expected everymorning doesn’t mean that it didn’ttake a beating during winter.Because of the cold’s negativeeffects, spring is the ideal time toget your battery power levelevaluated. If necessary, it’simperative to invest in a newbattery as soon as possible,because being stranded with adead battery is unfortunateirrespective of the weather outside.

Writes Jon Linkov in an article inConsumer Reports, “You can havethe battery professionally tested ata service station, auto parts storeor repair shop. A tired battery may just need to be charged. But if it’s defective or just worn out, it’sbest to replace it before it goes completely dead.”

Tires

Ice, snow, slush, cracks and potholes — your tires have carried you through challenging winter terrainthanklessly and reliably, which means they might be more worn down than you think. According toCarCareNewsService.org, you need to evaluate the tread of your tires to determine how it stood up towinter, monitor the air pressure in each tire and seek out bald spots or bulges. If you notice unevenwear on your tires, it’s probably time for a wheel alignment, if not time for a brand new set altogether.

FMMotorParts.com recommends switching out your winter tires, if applicable, for all-season tires,which tend to be a better fit for driving in spring. Switching to seasonally-appropriate tires ensuresbetter performance and efficiency for the time of year ahead.

Wiper blades

Cutting through icy showers and falling snow will dull and damage your windshield wiper blades. AsLinkov notes, wiper blades typically carry a six-month lifespan, which makes the end of winter andstart of spring the perfect time to equip your car with a new pair.

Even if your wiper blades appear to be in decent condition, Linkov writes that “streaks or missedexpanses of glass are sure signs that the blades are ready for retirement.”

Exterior

If your car looks greyer, duller or less shiny than you remember before winter set in, bust out the waterbucket and soap for a thorough cleaning. Just make sure that any car washes include consideration forthe undercarriage. Road salt may have taken up residence in hard-to-reach nooks and crannies, and itcan cause corrosion and damage to vital components if left sitting for too long.

Fluids

Even if you’re diligent about oil changes, winter temperatures can cause oil to thicken, which Linkovsays can cause your engine work harder. He advises you to check your oil and change it along with your oil filter, if necessary, to protect your engine and to help it run as efficiently as possible.

While you’re under the hood, CarCareNewsService.org recommends checking coolant levels, as wellas your brake, power steering and transmission fluids. Also check if your windshield wiper solution isat the proper level and be sure to dilute it with water if you choose to fill it yourself.

Belts and hoses

Just like winter temperatures make your skin crack, your car’s heater and radiator hoses are at risk aswell. Linkov recommends assessing any signs of wear and tear and addressing them before theycreate more significant problems.

“The hoses should be firm yet pliable when you squeeze them. Scrap them if they feel brittle or overlysoft,” he writes.

With winter in the rearview, spring arriving at last and summer just over the horizon, now is the time toevaluate your car and all its working parts. Have a professional give your vehicle a thoroughinspection and address any potential issues before they cause bigger problems.



Overnight Breakfast RecipesA scrumptious way to start your morning

We all want a warm, savory breakfast in the morning, but most of us (particularly those of us whoaren’t morning people) don’t want to wake up early or exert the effort needed to prepare such a meal.Luckily, if you plan ahead, you can prepare the dish the night before so it bakes in the slow cookerand is ready to serve come sunrise.

Slow cooker French toastcasserole

This delightful dish from Meme ofLiving Well Kitchen takes only 10minutes to prep and can bakeovernight. Rip eight slices of breadinto chunks, then whisk them in abowl with six large eggs, 1 cupmilk, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1-1/2teaspoons cinnamon, 1 teaspoonvanilla extract and 1/4 teaspoonsalt. Once the bread is coated, let itsoak in the refrigerator for fourhours. When you’re ready to go tosleep, pour the mixture into agreased slow cooker and set it to“warm.” Eight hours later, whenyou wake up, you’ll havesumptuous French toast waiting foryou.

Slow cooker overnight breakfast casserole

If you crave a hearty breakfast, you can’t go wrong with Johnsonville®’s recipe for an overnightbreakfast casserole.

Begin by cooking two packages of maple-flavored breakfast sausage links (Johnsonville-brandVermont Maple, if you’re following the recipe exactly) and slice them into pieces. Combine 1 cupchopped green onions, 1 chopped red bell pepper, a 4-ounce can of diced green chilies, and 1/4 cupchopped cilantro in a bowl.

When you’re ready to bake, arrange the ingredients in three sets of layers in a greased slow cooker:1/3 package shredded hash browns, 1/3 of the sausage pieces, and 1/3 of the green onion mixture.After layering these three times in that order, cover them in a mixture of 12 eggs, 1 cup milk, andpinches of salt and pepper. After you let the slow cooker sit on low heat for eight hours, you’ll have adelectable breakfast to serve.

Slow cooker oatmeal

If you have a picky family or group of friends to serve at breakfast time, a warm oatmeal buffet allowsthem to customize their bowls with various toppings and provides something for everyone.

Stephanie O’Dea shared this recipe on her blog, A Year of Slow Cooking. You can either use rolledold-fashioned or steel-cut oats, and your choice of water or milk (cow, soy, almond, etc.). Dependingon how much you want to make, follow the 1:3 ratio — three parts liquid for every one part of oatmeal.

Fill the bottom of the slow cooker with 1 cup water, then place an oven-safe bowl into the bottom ofthe basin. Place the oatmeal mixture inside the greased bowl. If you set the slow-cooker on “low” forseven hours overnight, the water and heat should cook the oats by morning. Before you serve theoatmeal, mix in 1/2 cup of cream or milk.

If you want to speed up the process, you could add extra liquid to the mixture, use steel-cut oats, anddirectly cook it in the slow cooker’s basin for four hours.

Lay out a variety of toppings that people can drizzle on and mix into their bowls of oatmeal, such asmaple syrup, raisins, peanut butter, fresh-cut fruit, chocolate chips, coconut flakes or nuts.

Whatever food you prefer to eat in the morning, there’s a slow-cooker recipe out there that’s perfectfor you. After all, breakfast is the most important meal of the day.



How to Get Your Home Buyer-ReadyMake your house feel like a potential buyer’s new home

Putting your beloved home on the market can be somewhat stressful. It’s difficult to know whatpotential buyers are looking for as they search for their next home. Before you put your home up forsale, consider these preparation tips to start the process on the right foot.

Remove clutter

While it may sound obvious, this isa simple and important step: Pickup around the house. The flatsurfaces in your home should beas clear as possible. Put away littleknickknacks, kitchen appliancesthat go unused and décor thatstands out. Bedroom closets tendto gather clutter and excessclothing; be sure you have a solidorganization system in place. Themore empty space you have inyour closet, the bigger it will look topotential buyers.

Prepare for nosy buyers

There’s no doubt about it: Potentialbuyers will open cabinets anddrawers as they peruse your home. Do they need to see what’s inside your dresser? No, but manywill look anyway. Make sure to clean not only the surface of your home, but also the inside of yourfridge, cabinets and drawers.

De-personalize

Even though they may peek into your personal belongings, buyers don’t want to feel like they’rewalking through someone else’s house. They are on the hunt for their own home, so they are trying toimagine themselves under that same roof. Remove personal belongings such as family photos andpersonalized memorabilia. Your house should feel generic, as if anyone could be living there.

Deep clean

Another obvious step: Deep clean your home. Every little nook and cranny in your home should befree of dirt, dust and grime. You could have showings at any time, so be sure you are wiping down thecounters, mopping the floors, vacuuming the carpet and dusting on a more-than-regular basis. HGTVrecommends hiring professional window washers, too. Not only will washing your windows add thatextra touch of cleanliness to your home, but it will also allow more natural light into each room.

Update paint

It may not be necessary to repaint your entire home. However, it’s worth giving each room aonce-over to see if any areas need to be touched up. Sometimes smaller scuffs and marks can beremoved with touch-up paint or a stain-removing sponge. Check the door and window frames aroundyour house as well, just in case they are showing signs of wear and tear.

Lighten up

Any photographer or home stager will tell you that lighting is everything. Even with the most beautifulhome on the market, the wrong lighting can make a house feel dreary and unappealing. Be sure toreplace the burnt out light bulbs throughout your house and open all of your curtains and blinds for abit of natural light.

Selling your home isn’t always easy, but these are small steps you can take to make your house feellike a potential buyer’s new home.



Unique Ways to Commemorate Memorial Day10 ideas for honoring the military on May 28th

Whether or not you have a friend or relative who is serving in the military, Memorial Day is a somberholiday honoring those who put their lives on the line to protect the freedoms we enjoy every day inAmerica. Here are 10 thoughtful ways to pay tribute on this occasion, many of them suggested byUSMemorialDay.org.

Attend an event

Check out local Memorial Dayevents in your area. From festiveparades to 5K races, this holidayspurs many region-specificcelebrations in which you canparticipate.

Give financially

This date is a great occasion toraise funds for a military-focusednonprofit organization of yourchoice. Wingman Foundation, AirForce Aid Society and Children ofFallen Patriots are just a few of theworthy groups you can contributeto in honor of Memorial Day. Foradditional charities to support,check out this extensive list .

Corporate potluck

Gather your coworkers and organize a potluck to take place the week before Memorial Day.Encourage people to bring in grilled hot dogs and hamburgers as well as many of the trimmings andsides.

Write a letter

Show your appreciation for those currently serving in the military, as well as retired veterans, bywriting a letter and sending it via an organization such as Operation Gratitude. This site even hashelpful tips for crafting your letter, depending on whether you’re addressing it to a new recruit, a firstresponder, a deployed troop or a veteran.

Cemetery visitation

Research what veteran cemeteries are in your vicinity, then plan a trip to visit one of them. Bringflowers and/or U.S. flags to place on some of the graves as an additional expression of honor.

Send a care package

This is a great idea for workplace teams as well as families. Visit the Support Our Troops® website forrecommendations of which items to include in your package, as well as which products to avoidsending.

Random act of kindness

Former and current service members often sport their military attire on Memorial Day. If you find

Former and current service members often sport their military attire on Memorial Day. If you findyourself in line with a service member at a restaurant or coffee shop, offer to pay for their order as asmall “thank you” for their commitment to our country.

Cubicle décor

The week before Memorial Day, consider decorating your cubicle with patriotic décor. This could be inthe form of small U.S. flags, a red checkered tablecloth or a banner of red and blue paper stars at yourdesk, as depicted on Homedit.com.

Visit a local memorial

What better way to honor the day than by heading to a memorial in your area? If you’re not sure whichsites are near your place of residence, Military.com has done the work for you. Simply browse thewebsite and select your state to view memorials close by.

One minute of silence

Each Memorial Day at 3 p.m., U.S. residents across the nation pause for 60 seconds to rememberand ponder the sacrifices of the military, both in the past and in the present. Even if you have to workthrough the holiday, take just a moment out of your day to participate in this brief observation thatPresident Clinton initiated back in 2000.

While backyard barbecues are a common sight on Memorial Day, consider supplementing yourcelebration this year by incorporating any of these 10 ideas into your family’s festivities.



Exercises to Strengthen Your BrainWays to exercise your brain for better health

To maintain a nimble, healthy physique, you have to exercise. Whether you have a regular cardioroutine, like to take long walks, run regularly or lift weights at the gym, you know your muscles will getstronger by doing physical exercise. But how do you strengthen the most important muscle in yourbody: your brain?

Get physical

Exercising regularly will improvenot only your physical health,strength and endurance, it will alsostrengthen your mind.

“Research shows that physicalexercise enhances cognitivefunction,” explains Eva Selhub,M.D., on MindBodyGreen.com.“One reason might be becauseit increases levels of brain-derivedneurotrophic factor (BDNF), aprotein that improves learning,memory and higher thinking bystimulating growth of new neuronsand helping existing neurons stayalive.”

Selhub notes that brain-beneficialactivities include yoga, tai chi, aerobic exercise and walking outside on balance-challenging terrain.

Think for yourself

Smartphones, computers and other devices can deliver answers in mere seconds. This means that alot of the work your brain used to do, like math calculations, has disappeared, according toHuffingtonPost.com contributor Shawn Clark. In order to exercise your brain, he recommends takingadvantage of your old-school skills more in everyday tasks.

Alter your habits

You’ve probably got your morning routine down so well that you can go through the motions withouteven thinking. This may be good for getting out the door on time, but it’s not good for your brain.According to “Keep Your Brain Alive” authors Lawrence C. Katz, Ph.D., and Manning Rubin onReadersDigest.com, brain activity dwindles when routines become automatic.

In order to reawaken your brain, they suggest mixing up your morning habits: “Get dressed afterbreakfast, walk the dog on a new route or change your TV or news station.”

Target train your brain

Cognitive training exercises such as juggling or playing board games or chess will keep your brainnimble, according to Selhub.

“You can even do something simple like learn a new direction to drive to work, type or scroll with theopposite hand, or combine your senses by eating while listening to music with your eyes closed,” shewrites.

Expand your horizon

To keep your brain firing on all cylinders, learn something new.

“Learn a craft, a new language or take up a new hobby,” Clark writes. “Learning to do new things willkeep your mind active and stimulate areas of your mental functioning that may have been neglected.And keep in mind that variation is key.”

Put yourself out there

Connecting with others, making new friends and belonging to a community is good for your spirit andcan also help strengthen your brain, explain Katz and Rubin. Not being social can harm your “overallcognitive abilities.”

Pick the right fuel

Certain foods — namely sugar — have extremely negative effects on the body and the brain. Toprotect your brain’s health, Selhub strongly recommends avoiding the sweet stuff.

Katz and Rubin suggest incorporating foods that you don’t normally consume into your diet as a wayto wake up your senses.

“There’s a direct link to the emotional center of your brain, so new odors may evoke unexpectedfeelings and associations,” they explain.

By incorporating these exercises and activities into your life, you’ll help keep your cognitive abilitiessharp and your memory strong.



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In This Issue · 2018-04-19 · Get your fishing fix at the region’s hottest spots Vehicle Profile: 2018 Honda Odyssey Honda delivers the ideal family vehicle with its recently