Our lunch group continues to explore new culinary venues and this month enjoyed checking out Scordato's Pizzaria. We were joined by many new guests who shared our enthusiasm for good friends and good food. Check out our events section to find out where we will be next. Friends and family are always welcome.

• February 1st, Wednesday, 8:00 AM, Tohono Chul Park: TCC Mindful Meandering

The Heart is like a garden. It can grow compassion, or fear, resentment or love.  What seeds will you plant there? ~Buddha

• February 7th, Tuesday, 6:30 PM, Brandi Fenton Park Visitor's Center: Birthday Potluck Dinner Celebration - It’s Chef Ken’s birthday and he will be bringing his own birthday cake to share!

• February 15th, Wednesday, 8:00 AM, Sabino Canyon: TCC Mindful Meandering

• February 17th, Friday, 12:00 Noon, First Watch Restaurant at Williams Center: TCC Monthly Luncheon - First Watch is located at 5350 E Broadway Boulevard.

• May 5th to 7th, 2017, TCC Annual Retreat at the Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch in Phoenix - The cost is $475 for Members and $525 for Non-Members, and payments are made in installments. If you plan to attend but have not turned in your registration form or paid your deposit, or if you have any questions, please speak to Pam or Arlene. 

Click here to log into the Members Area to download the retreat registration form and pay your deposit through Paypal.

The garden is brimming with leafy greens and root vegetables that are tasty and easy to prepare such as beets. Click here for information on how to roast beets.

Beets contain a high percentage of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds which help reduce the risk of specific types of cancers, as well as promote eye and cardiovascular health. The tender green tops can be prepared like other leafy greens and are nutritional powerhouses loaded with minerals, vitamins and fiber. Click here to learn more about the health benefits of beets!

Stop on by the garden on Saturdays after Coffee Cafe and we'll send you home with some sprigs of fresh herbs to liven up your home cooked meals. Most weeks we are also at the garden on Tuesdays from 4:15 to 5:15 PM. If you're interested in helping out with the garden or have any gardening questions, contact Dawn at 520-975-4839 or timdawnmesser@gmail.com.

Saturday Coffee Café

Even if you don't come for exercise class, please join us at the TCC Coffee Café to share a snack, socialize and hear about all our upcoming activities! The Coffee Café happens after every Saturday morning right after exercise class at the Brandi Fenton Park Visitor's Center.

Please consider signing up to bring Coffee Café snacks one Saturday this year. You can always partner with another member to make it easier, and you can be sure we will appreciate whatever snacks you bring! Speak to Jenny Waters for more information.

When Less is More.
Book Review by Sarah Schulman

Our highlighted book for February is My Mother, Your Mother  by Dennis McCullough, M.D. This is a wonderful, compassionate guide by a family doctor and geriatrician to anticipating, preparing for, and supporting your aging loved ones.

Dr. McCullough shares his experience both with his patients and with his own mother that led him to embrace “slow medicine” as the best approach for helping “late-life elders.”  “Slow medicine,” in Dr. McCullough’s words, comes from “ the ancient Tibetan wisdom of  ‘making haste slowly’… with patience and a sense of shared humanity, forgiving one another for what cannot be changed, bending flexibly at times of need, and holding firmly to shared values and loyalties at other times.”  

For the younger caregiver, used to multitasking and efficiently getting things done, this may be challenging. Thus the book offers practical (and calming) advice about listening and understanding your elder loved one’s unique needs, recognizing newfound strengths that may come with age, working with medical and community resources, and ---best of all--- being part of helping them to live as well as possible in late life.  

Caring Baskets

TCC provides personalized items to members dealing with major life changes or challenges to offer inspiration, nurturing, and support. If you know a member who could use a little extra TLC, please click here to send an email to let us know.