A woman wearing a protective mask walks past the New York Stock Exchange on March 12, 2020. in New York City.

Pablo Monsalve | VIEWpress | Corbis via Getty Images

The recent market volatility may have you wondering just what to do with your retirement account.

You may be thinking of heading for the exit or perhaps you want to buy some stocks on sale.

While stocks rallied the third straight day on Thursday, they have yet to make up the steep losses from the coronavirus sell-off. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500 and Nasdaq all entered Thursday's session down at least 24.9% from their respective all-time highs set last month.

Financial advisor Mitch Goldberg, president of ClientFirst Strategy in Melville, New York, said the last few days of reprieve have given investors time to think.

"When you are bombarded by a ton of information, it's difficult to make a decision," he said.

"It's only after you have time to contemplate what you've learned and how it relates to your own situation that you can really make a smart decision."

However, remember that it is normal to feel anxiety amid the market volatility. The key is not to immediately act on those emotions.

Before you make a move, you should take several factors into consideration.

Your retirement date should determine how you are invested. Younger investors should be much more aggressive because they can withstand market swings. However, if you are less than five years away from retirement, you should be more conservative with your investments.

Make sure you check on your allocations, as your original target for example, 60% stocks and 40% bonds may have shifted. If you are young, you may consider adjusting future purchases toward a higher percentage of stocks to take advantage of the market drop.

If you are older, you may want to consider moving some stock funds that have overperformed and buying more fixed-income investments, which are considered safer.

If you want to up your contributions to your 401(k) to take advantage of low stock prices, only do so if you are financially sound. That means you are secure in your job and income, no credit card debt and a solid emergency fund.

If you have little or no cash cushion, consider reducing your contributions and directing that money into a high-yield savings account. However, you should continue to contribute enough money to your 401(k) to get your employer's matching contribution.

If you are strapped for cash, you can take a loan from your 401(k).

The stimulus bill passed by Congress Friday relaxes the rules around retirement-plan loans, allowing you to borrow up to $100,000 from your 401(k). That's double the amount you can normally take.

Experts tend to suggest this as a last resort, since any cash you take out will not be earning money for you as an investment.

However, it is an option to help pay bills and have money on hand in the event of an emergency.

In this time of crisis, you'll also be allowed to take a hardship distribution of up to $100,000 from your 401(k), 403(b) or individual retirement account at any age without a withdrawal penalty, according to the stimulus package. It passed both the Senate and the House is now headed to President Donald Trump's desk for signing.

Normally, if you take a withdrawal from your 401(k) or IRA before age 59 , you are subject to a 10% penalty.

You also have to pay income tax on the amount taken. However, the bill gives you the opportunity to pay the taxes over the course of three years. You also have the option of repaying the amount you pulled from your account over that time.

"The biggest consequence of withdrawing money from your retirement plan is that you are losing out on that money compounding for years and years and years and you are going to have to put away even more money in the future to make up for that loss," Goldberg said.

Be sure to check that your workplace's plan allows hardship distributions it isn't required to do so. Even if it does permit them, check in with your human resources department or plan administrator before you proceed.

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5 ways to ensure the coronavirus outbreak doesn't cripple your retirement savings - CNBC

In Summary California physicians and nurses groups say they will heed the call, but are eager for more specifics on how it will work. Almost 600 people with the coronavirus are in intensive care, three times more than a few days ago.

As the number of people hospitalized in California with the coronavirus doubled in just four days, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday sent out an urgent call seeking help from the states 37,000 retired and part-time health care professionals.

Newsom issued an executive order that will temporarily allow retired doctors and nurses to return to work, broaden the duties that some nurses may perform and bring medical school and nursing students who are close to graduating into the workforce almost immediately.

Statewide, 1,432 people have been hospitalized with the virus, up from 746 four days earlier, Newsom said. Of those, 42% or 597 were in intensive care, compared with about 200 four days earlier.

Newsom, making the announcement on National Doctors Day, said he hoped that his appeal for the new California Health Corps would generate thousands and thousands of additional medical workers to respond to the pandemic.

We are very, very hopeful with this effort that we will see a surge of individuals, he said, urging qualified people to sign up for the program at healthcorps.ca.gov.

Newsoms order allows the state to waive licensing and certification requirements for certain medical professionals through June 30th.

It gives the state the flexibility to allow doctors and nurses who have retired in the last five years, students who have nearly graduated from medical and nursing schools and others who are in the process of obtaining a license or getting relicensed to treat patients. The new workers would be paid and covered by malpractice insurance.

Health care advocates and experts say the governors order is vague so they are eager for details about what exactly will be allowed under the executive order. They said while it admirably aims to expand the workforce, it simply authorizes state agencies and licensing boards to make the final decision on what licensing and scope of practice regulations will be relaxed or waived for the time being.

Its opaque, said Joanne Spetz, associate director of research at the Healthforce Center at UCSF. Most of us who have been watching this expected there to be more clarity today about what is going to be allowed.

Until the agencies provide that specificity for the workforce its unclear what is going to be permitted, Spetz said. Workers are going to need that guidance from a practical standpoint.

The executive order leaves a lot of questions unanswered, said Scott Casanover, vice president of government affairs for West Coast University, a private nursing school with three campuses in Southern California.

Nursing students have to complete a certain number of hands-on clinical hours with patients to graduate. All of those hours were cut short in the last month as host organizations like hospitals began shutting down their programs or the schools pulled their students after the sheltering in place orders were issued.

Im glad that the governor turned his attention to the issue but he really didnt make any decision in todays order, Casanover said. He repeatedly says every second counts, every minute counts, but here we have the governor kicking the can down the road to the state agencies.

The California Medical Association, which represents more than 50,000 physicians, supports the move by the governor, said Anthony York, spokesman for the organization.

We understand that we all have to get out of our bunkers a little bit, York said.

Sandra Hernandez, president and CEO of the California Health Care Foundation, praised the order, calling it a thoughtful step that the governor and his team is putting in place.

The point here is to mobilize all available workforce in California, and I fully expect these agencies are ready to act and take the appropriate steps to deploy as many of our workforce as possible, Hernandez said. Ive got to believe that all agencies will be playing their part.

Hernandez said calling on the mature health care workforce will garner a large response, and including young near-graduates is equally important.

They are very freshly trained and this is a younger workforce. Their training has been the most immediate and I think it was wise to deploy that workforce quickly into their respective professions as possible, Hernandez said.

Newsom said the groups involved put aside their differences to agree to the program.

The expansion of the role of nurses has been particularly controversial in California in recent years. Nurse practitioners have been fighting to persuade the California Legislature to permit them full scope authority, which would allow them to evaluate and treat patients independently without direct physician oversight.

Under current law a doctor can oversee four nurse practitioners. York said the Dept. of Consumer Affairs, which licenses professions, said on a conference call Monday that it will allow for a higher number per doctor as needed by hospitals and clinics, which will have to apply for the waiver.

However, the medical association, he said, is still opposed to legislation intended to give nurse practitioners the ability to practice independently.

Californias attention had been on stockpiling protective gear such as masks, gloves and ventilators, and greatly expanding the number of hospital beds for patients with the virus as well as other health problems.

The Naval hospital ship Mercy, moored at the Port of Los Angeles, has begun to care for patients who are not infected with the coronavirus, and numerous field hospitals are being erected in parking lots and sports arenas.

But now staffing the burgeoning medical facilities has taken primacy as the number of people hospitalized, particularly in intensive care units, has surged.

Newsom said the state would need to quickly increase its hospital capacity by two-thirds to handle the anticipated rush of cases.

While the rate of infections is rising, officials are more concerned at the much faster pace of patients requiring hospitalization.

Mark Ghaly, secretary of the state Health and Human Services Agency, said current models project the need for an additional 50,000 hospital beds by the middle of May. Thats in addition to Californias current inventory of 75,000 licensed beds.

Who better than those folks who are really close to being done to bring into the workforce now to essentially continue their clinical training with the help of experienced nurses or other health professionals, Ghaly said.

Building the workforce is critical, but so is their protection. As more workers are brought to the front line, the state has to ensure that they are provided adequate personal protective gear, which has been a struggle, said Stephanie Roberson, government relations director at California Nurses Association.

We cant talk about workforce and how we prepare for a surge if our nurses and other health care workers are not protected at the bedside, said Roberson.

Calling for almost-ready student nurses can ease the burden at hospitals, Roberson said, as long as they work under the direct supervision of experienced registered nurses.

We absolutely can use our student nurses judiciously in this situation, she said. And at the same time they can still gain the clinical experience they need for graduation, that can happen right now.

Nurses have regularly protested outside hospitals demanding more N95 respirators and other gear. An increase of medical staff will require that much more supplies, which the state is still sourcing.

Newsom said the state had distributed 32.6 million N95 masks, part of an estimated 100 million gloves, gowns, and other pieces of protective equipment officials are trying to procure, including as many as 10,000 ventilators.

He said the statewide social distancing edict has been successful, but when asked if the mandate that Caliornians stay at home was working to flatten the curve epidemiologists holy grail of decreasing the rate of infections he demurred.

The policy alone may not end the epidemic, Newsom said, But we know what does work, and thats physical distancing.

Newsom would not specify the cost of the program, but said some if it would be borne by the federal government.

Some other states have already allowed for retirees and students to begin treating patients and allowed some nurses to perform tasks usually reserved for physicians.

At least 33 states have amended licensing requirements for health care workers, according to the National Council of State Legislatures.

For instance, Washington has allowed volunteer doctors and practitioners from other states to practice as long as they are in good standing in their home state. Florida is allowing licensed health care workers from elsewhere to temporarily provide care without a state license. Iowa is allowing doctors, nurses and physician assistants with inactive or lapsed licenses to practice.

Originally posted here:
California starts recruiting retired and student doctors, nurses to handle surge in severely sick people - CALmatters

WINCHESTER Legislation introduced by Rep. Jennifer Wexton, D-10th, to safeguard Americans retirement savings in the midst of the financial crisis brought on by the coronavirus was incorporated into the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, signed by President Trump on Friday.

The $2 trillion CARES Act, approved by the Senate on Wednesday and the House on Friday, includes a provision to suspend for the current year the required minimum distribution (RMD) for defined contribution retirement plans, including 401(k)s, thrift savings plans (TSPs), and Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). Before the CARES Act was passed, individuals with these plans were required to begin withdrawing a percentage of their tax-deferred retirement plan when they turn 72 or face a penalty of 50% of the amount that should have been distributed.

The economic fallout of this pandemic has taken a devastating toll on the retirement savings of millions across America, said Wexton in a news release. The provisions that I fought for will suspend the required minimum distribution, allowing retirees to leave their money in tax-deferred accounts without facing a penalty and give time for the markets to recover. This will help protect the financial security of every American household that has planned their future around hard-earned retirement savings.

Wexton notes in the release that as the financial markets face a historic downturn due to COVID-19, tax-deferred retirement plans have faced a significant drop in value, meaning that individuals who are made to withdraw funds at this time will take serious losses on their investment.

No one whose retirement savings has lost value due to the pandemic should be forced to withdraw funds and take losses on their investments while the market is down, Wexton said in a statement to The Star. This is just a small piece of our overall relief program, but its a common-sense, bipartisan step my colleagues can take to protect the retirement savings of all Americans. Im working hard to get help to my constituents as fast as possible and in every way possible.

Wextons retirement legislation will become effective immediately and remain in effect until the end of 2020.

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Wexton bill to protect retirement savings included in coronavirus stimulus package - The Winchester Star

Connie Ottmann, a high school English teacher from Maine, had always wanted to live in New York City. And last summer, when she was 66, seemed the right time to do it.

Retired for several years, she had been rereading the works of the mythologist Joseph Campbell, who really affirmed living life as an adventure.

Once she made the decision, things fell into place. A friend who is a real estate agent offered to help rent her house in Hallowell, near Augusta, then quickly found a couple who signed a yearlong lease. Her sister in Irvington, N.Y., was going through some life changes and was happy to have her as a houseguest for several months, so Ms. Ottmann was able to conduct her apartment hunt from a place near the city.

It seems invisible hands carried me here, Ms. Ottmann said. I couldnt afford to rent an apartment alone so I thought, Ill rent a room.

She was confident that finding an apartment share would also go smoothly. Many friends and family members were not equally confident. People werent too optimistic, she said.

Her brother, who owns a house in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, didnt think she would be able to find a place. A college friend who lived in the city was equally discouraging about securing a room share: She said, Eh, thats mostly young people.

But her son and his girlfriend, who rent an apartment in her brothers house, were encouraging. So, undeterred, Ms. Ottmann started looking for Brooklyn room shares on Listings Project, a weekly email with real estate listings, and Roomi, an app.

She did experience a twinge of concern after noticing that most Listings Project users seemed to be between 28 and 40; Roomi also skewed younger.

Several responses she wrote to ads went unanswered, including one she sent to a pair of comedians. Id thought it might provide them with new material for their acts, she said.

I got a little discouraged at first, but then I started hearing back from people, Ms. Ottmann said.

A nice young man who got in touch had just rented an unfurnished apartment and was looking for someone to split the brokers fee, which wasnt ideal for Ms. Ottmann, who was planning to stay for only a year.

She met a pleasant couple looking to rent the second bedroom in their apartment, but the place was small and she thought living with a couple might not be the best option. A third apartment was run-down and smelled like cat urine.

And then she found a seemingly perfect situation: two rooms a bedroom plus a separate room for a studio in a Bedford-Stuyvesant three-bedroom shared with one roommate. It was a furnished sublet of at least six months and the rent, including utilities, was $1,200 a month.

Ms. Ottmann, who paints and writes a blog, had hoped for a space to work in other than her bedroom, but had dismissed the idea as unrealistic. And yet, here it was.

$2,400 | Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn

Occupation: Ms. Ottmann is a retired high school English teacher; Ms. Calvo is an archivist at the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. Dividing a three-bedroom: Ms. Ottmann gets two bedrooms, but Ms. Calvos room is about the size of the other two rooms combined, so they pay the same amount of rent. Dealing with the coronavirus: I knew there would be risks, uncertainties and trials along the way, Ms. Ottmann said, but this was not one she planned for.

When she saw it in person, Ms. Ottmann immediately liked the space. I found the apartment quite spacious, and I liked how they set it up, she said. The departing tenant, a woman in her 30s, interviewed her and offered Ms. Ottmann the two rooms before she met the roommate, Christine Calvo, 32.

Ms. Calvo, an archivist at the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, grew up in a household of four women in Los Angeles, so she wasnt concerned about getting along with Ms. Ottmann. After living in New York for 12 years, Ive had so many different types of roommates, she said. Ive lived with friends and friends of friends. Sometimes it worked out, sometimes it didnt. You never know what its going to be like. She fit all the criteria.

I would have wanted to meet me! said Ms. Ottmann, who moved in this December.

Connie is definitely one of the more laid-back roommates Ive had and respectful, Ms. Calvo said. Ive had some wild ones: I lived in one apartment without a door; one roommate started a fire, another misplaced the rent. Its been easy with Connie.

Were both introverts, Ms. Ottmann said of their rapport.

As for New York, I like it, she said. I mean, I love it.

Until recently, when she, like most New Yorkers, started spending all of her time at home, Ms. Ottmann could be found traveling on the subway, going to museums and lectures. She saw the Agnes Denes show at the Shed and David Byrnes American Utopia musical.

I want to meet people and take advantage of being here as much as I can, she said. And I want to know my way around really well. Maine is a beautiful place, but winters are hard and spring is even worse. And you have to drive everywhere. Theres a theater I love, but its a half-hour away.

She has also been able to spend more time with her son and his girlfriend, as well as her brother, whose wife died several years ago, and his 15-year-old twins. She was lucky, she reflected, that moving to New York has been an adventure and a chance to spend quality time like this with two of my siblings in our later years.

A few things have surprised her: how open-minded potential roommates were about her age, how helpful and nice New Yorkers are in general and how quiet the apartment is.

On one of her first nights alone there, she noticed a neighbor making some noise. She couldnt have been more delighted.

It was an opera singer practicing her scales, Ms. Ottmann said. I was, like, Oh my gosh Im in New York. I heard it and I thought, This is lovely.

More here:
Retiring to New York City and Getting a Roommate - The New York Times

Just over half of all Americans owned stocks in 2019, according to a Gallup poll. Unfortunately, 35% of Americans don't have any equities and thus have no exposure to the market.

With the stock market experiencing major ups and downs in recent weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it may seem odd to read an article that laments the fact more Americans aren't invested. But even in times of economic uncertainty, and even when the market falls, investing in stocks is still your best bet if you want to build wealth.

In fact, it is very difficult (and perhaps impossible) for the average person to build a big enough nest egg without putting a substantial amount of money into the stock market.

Image source: Getty Images.

While there are times when the market goes down, including in recent weeks, historically it has performed better than most other types of investments.

In fact, in a stock-heavy investment portfolio, you can reliably expect around a 7% annual return over timeafter accounting for inflation.This doesn't necessarily mean you'll make 7% in a particular year. Some years you may lose money, and in others you'll make more. But over the long term, expecting a 7% average annual return is reasonable given past market performance.

If you opt out of investing in stocks, though, or you invest only a small percentage of your portfolio in them, your projected returns are likely to be much lower. That means you have to save a whole lot more.

In fact, the table below shows how much more you'd have to invest per year to save $1 million by age 65, assuming you started at age 30.

Annual Return

Amount You Need to Save Annually

2%

$20,050

3%

$16,575

4%

$13,600

5%

$11,075

6%

$8,975

7%

$7,250

Table calculations: Author.

For most people, even saving $7,250 a year is a challenge, and putting aside more than $20,000 is downright impossible. To ensure you can build the necessary nest egg while saving an affordable sum, you simply have to put your money to work for you. That means investing in the market and earning a reasonable rate of return.

While you need money invested, you don't want too much -- you must balance risk with reward. A diversified portfolio that includes stocks and other investments is the best way to ensure you'll have enough in your later years.

The level of risk you should be exposed to varies depending on how soon you need the money. If you're retiring soon, you don't have time to wait out market downturns, so you'll want less money in stocks. If you're retiring decades from now, you'll want to invest more money in the market since you have a longer timeline for your investments to grow.

One good technique for deciding what percentage to put into the market is to subtract your age from 110. If you're 20, you should have 90% of your portfolio in the market; if you're 80, you should have just 30% in stocks.

Maintain this asset allocation even during volatile times and keep investing (and holding solid investments) even during market downturns. By buying and holding over the long term, you maximize your chances of earning or exceeding a 7% average annual return.

If you're among the minority of Americans with no money in the stock market, you should change that. And if you have some funds invested, but not enough, you may also want to consider re-allocating your assets. You don't need to wait until the market stabilizes or hits bottom, since there's no reliable way of timing it.

While it can be scary, and there is a risk associated with investing, there's also a downside to keeping your money out of the market. It may be safe, but it's unlikely to grow enough to give you the nest egg you need.

Don't pass up the chance for a secure future as a senior because of your fear of investing, even during these scary times.

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Why You Need to Invest to Save Enough for a Secure Retirement - The Motley Fool

Q. I have annuities in my retirement accounts. I hope to use the interest earned as spending money when I retire, which will be after I reach the age of 59 1/2. Will the interest be taxable in the state of New Jersey?

Counting it down

A. As with many tax issues, It depends.

Were going to assume that when you say annuities in retirement accounts, you mean youre holding an annuity purchased inside your IRA. This is called a qualified annuity.

The key is the source of the funds in the IRA annuity, said Howard Hook, a certified financial planner and certified public accountant with EKS Associates in Princeton.

He said if the funds in the IRA came from a rollover from a 401(k) plan, then the interest would be taxable for both federal and New Jersey purposes, Hook said.

That is because the contributions originally made into the 401(k) plan were tax deductible for both federal and New Jersey purposes so all the distributions are taxable, Hook said.

Interestingly enough, certain contributions to retirement plans are not tax deductible for New Jersey purposes, he said.

For example, if the funds were a rollover from a 403(b) plan, then a portion of the distribution would not be taxable because New Jersey does not allow a tax deduction for contributions into a 403(b).

Same goes if the original contributions were IRA contributions. New Jersey does not allow a tax deduction for those either, Hook said.

If the annuities are not IRA, the answer is different. These would be called non-qualified annuities.

If you indeed withdraw just the interest from the annuity, then you would only pay tax on the interest, Hook said. The interest would be subject to both federal and New Jersey income tax.

Email your questions to Ask@NJMoneyHelp.com.

Karin Price Mueller writes the Bamboozled column for NJ Advance Media and is the founder of NJMoneyHelp.com. Follow NJMoneyHelp on Twitter @NJMoneyHelp. Find NJMoneyHelp on Facebook. Sign up for NJMoneyHelp.coms weekly e-newsletter.

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How will my annuities be taxed by N.J. after I retire? - lehighvalleylive.com

Sound therapist and meditation teacher Sara Auster. Courtesy Sara Auster

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Sound therapist and meditation teacher Sara Auster has worked in mindfulness for more than 10 years, leading yoga and meditation sessions and sound baths. Sound baths are therapeutic experiences that use sound to restore and nurture the mind and bodythink soothing, resonant, and gentle sounds that lull participants into a meditative state.

Auster, 41, is one of the preeminent voices on sound baths as the author of Sound Bath: Meditate, Heal and Connect Through Listening. She has held one-on-one sound baths as well as sessions for groups of as many as 10,000 people in venues such as Madison Square Garden and at events like SXSW and the Sundance Film Festival.

At a time when people are more homebound than ever during the Covid-19 pandemic, Auster is offering free sound baths three times a week on Instagram Live.

As the awareness and desire for sound baths grows, I continue to explore ways to engage with people beyond in-person events and recordings, Auster says. In a time of crisis, my first thought is usually, How can I help? The answer to that question in this particular moment inspired me to start a live virtual offering.

Auster, who is based in New York, says she has been moved by the response from participants who tune in from all over the world, including from Japan, France, Australia, and more. Auster says several corporations have also requested private virtual sound baths to help their teams de-stress.

We are in an unprecedented state of anxiety and unknowns. Ive long seen the effect that sound baths can have on people to calm the mind, release stress, and invite in compassion and connection, she says. Sound is a way to connect with joy and happiness and also pain and suffering, vulnerability, and uncertainty. In getting quiet together, and listening, we forge a connection, no matter where we are.

Auster shared some of the things that make her happy, and what shes doing to cope with the stress of the pandemic.

The perfect meal at home is anything made by my husband, Alex [Falk, who is also a sound therapist]. Hes an amazing chef.

If I were to buy a piece of art, it would be... Dissolve by James Turrell.

The best book Ive read in the last year is... The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker.

A passion of mine that few people know about is... collecting vinyl.

The thing that gets me up in the morning is... my work [and] my husband.

A person who inspired me to do what I do is my parents.

If I could have a drink with anybody, anywhere, it would be... I dont drink [but] if I dida scotch with [Zen philosopher and author] Alan Watts.

The one thing Im doing more of to help me get through this difficult time is adding an additional hour to my daily meditation practice.

Read more here:
Worldwise: Sound Therapist Sara Austers Favorite Things - Barron's

Praise for Wendy De Rosa & the Intuitive Healer Training Program

Past students RAVE about the Intuitive Healer Training Program. This is the most in-depth, evolutionary, supportive, and powerful training and certification course of its kind. But you dont have to take our word for it

Im weaving the tools into my therapeutic work with my clients.The tools Im learning within the program are helping to heal me at such deep levels. And, Im weaving them throughout my therapeutic work with clients. I appreciate your work and your teachings! Meryl Fields, MFT, California

A commitment to my intuitive knowledge.As a result of taking the Intuitive Healer Training Program, I see the importance of connecting to Divine source throughout the day. I seal myself (energetically) when I am about to spend time around draining people or in negative situations. I take care of myself and remove myself as a way of getting what I need. I have much gratitude for my gifts, commitment to my intuitive knowledge. I have gotten to know my body energetically and have a deeper appreciation for the support I can feel and sense in the universe Beth DeGennaro

Im connected to the Divine and to my light.I feel like I am a better, healthier, kinder, more gentle and compassionate person having gone through the training program. I am connected to the Divine, to grace, to my light. Wendy, I have so much gratitude for you. You are such a light! Such a gift and I feel so deeply blessed and honored to have you in my life. Meryl, Connecticut

I own my emotions, energy and power, now.I feel so peaceful in my skin compared to what I used to be. I own my emotions now. I can feel extreme anger and within a few minutes, let it go. I also own my power. I used to avoid challenging and difficult conversations. I also own my energy and I can tell what is not mine. Yvette Herbert

I have the tools now to establish energetic boundaries.Im owning my voice much more. Though my family of origin canand doesstill trigger me, Ive now got tools to help me establish energetic boundaries.. Im owning my power to choose how much to give to others.. I have acknowledged, cried, and worked to release past wounds that got completely overlooked in the pasteven though Ive done decades of therapy. My intuitive sense can be harnessed, instead, as a gift and I can learn how to protect my energy. Anonymous

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The Intuitive Healer Training Program | Wendy De Rosa's ...

Dozing off on a plane and waking up in France or Spain is a treat when we can make it happen, but sometimes there are circumstances when vacation travel isnt feasible. In times of stress and uncertainty (like now), when you need to unravel that knot of tension in your shoulders and destress, home is often the best place to be. Though a forced staycation may not be what you dreamed of right now, its more important than ever to practice social distancing and do your part to contain the coronavirus pandemic. These eight ideas will help you make the most of your time at home by turning it into a restful and luxurious vegan staycation.

1. Create indulgent dinnersPart of the pleasures of a real vacation is planning it. Now that you have more time at home than usual, try spending it planning extravagant or time-consuming dishes you wouldnt typically make. Take time to browse your favorite vegan cookbooks and pull out all the things youve been meaning to trylike that truffle mac and vegan cheese or porcini ravioli recipe youve had earmarked forever. Turn on your favorite music, pour yourself a bevvie, and start chopping. Not only will the process calm your worries, but youll be left with a comforting, home-cooked meal to keep you satisfied and energized. (Be sure to make enough so you have leftovers to carry you through the week.)

2. Learn a new skillHave you always wanted to learn a new language or improve your guitar skills? Besides relieving stress and anxiety, there are many benefits to incorporating a creative hobby into your life right now. Choose a hobby or new skill that gets you out of your comfort zone and find the necessary resources online. Set a game plan and stick to it. Youll feel accomplished and proud of yourself by the end. Plus, youll have something to show off when you go out into the world again.

3. Browse a museum from homeSome of the most iconic museums around the world offer free virtual tours, which means you can browse them from the comforts of your own home. Google Arts and Cultures partnership with world-class art institutions gives you access to more than 1,200 museums through your web browser or a free-to-download app. Famous works featured at the Muse dOrsay in Paris, Uffizi Gallery in Florence, National Museum in New Delhi, the Tate in London, and Rijks Museum in Amsterdam are just a few clicks away.

4. Treat yourself to room serviceOne of the best things about going on vacation is treating yourself to room service at your hotel. It might be expensive, but the luxury of having someone serve you a tray of vegan waffles, fresh berries, and a steaming pot of coffee is basically the best thing ever. If youre stuck inside with a partner or roommate, consider taking turns cooking and serving breakfast or brunch to each other (weve got a few brunch recipes youll love). When its your turn to be served, stretch out in bed, cuddle with your cats, and enjoy the smell of tofu scramble and toast (cooked by someone else) wafting up from the kitchen.

5. Turn your days into travel themesFor an epic staycation, turn each day into a themed travel adventure. Head to Paris by planning a meal of vegan French crpes, mushroom bourguignon, or brioche bread, and binging on classic romance films such as Midnight in Paris or Amelie or even a collection of stories such as Paris, Je Taime. Or take in the beauty of India with a meal of vegan tikka masala with refreshing mango lassis and cuddle on the couch while watching Bollywood films such as the feel-good film Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara or romantic drama Jodhaa Akbar. You can explore most of these international films on Nextflix. The best part: You dont have to spend hours on a plane to experience other countries.

6. Pamper yourselfRather than rushing to get a manicure in between meetings, your at-home staycation is an opportunity to enjoy pseudo spa living. Set aside an evening to focus on yourself: order a few luxurious vegan spa products, sign up for a beauty subscription box, or attempt a new beauty hack you came across online. Create a relaxing atmosphere in your bathroom by pouring yourself a bubble bath, lighting a candle, putting on soothing music, and imagine youre spending the night at an upscale spa you wouldnt typically indulge in.

7. Reconnect with family and friendsA coronavirus quarantine isnt exactly the best way to cater to humans need for social interaction. But dont let this time of social distancing be your excuse for letting your relationships fizzle. Stay connected with friends and family virtually by reaching out to three or four people each day: Share a toast with a friend through a virtual happy hour; be extra neighborly by reaching out to your street friends and leaving a homemade lasagna on their doorstep; swap stories with an online community; or meet up for an almost-in-person meal with friends from afar. Better still, make some fun future plans with pals so you have something to look forward to when its all over.

8. Discover new online workoutsFor fitness buffs, not being allowed to go to the gym can be mentally and physically difficult. Instead, consider buying an online exercise class youve always wanted to try but you typically cant afford or dont have time for on a regular basis. From calming yoga to sweat-inducing kickboxing, it can be fun to switch up your regular exercise routine while still staying active. For something equally fun (and free), crank your favorite tunes and have a dance party in your living room.

Nicole Axworthy is the News Editor of VegNews and author of DIY Vegan who is currently cooking up more meals than she can eat.

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How to Have the Best Vegan Staycation (When You're Forced to Stay at Home) - VegNews

Considering a lot of the grocery stores are missing meat on the shelves, now might be the time to try being vegan. And Cara Carin Cifellis book, Vegan Buddha Bowls is here to get you started.

Carin Cifelli, the creator of Caras Kitchen, is also a holistic health coach and podcaster of Love Your Bod Pod.

The recipes are divided into six chapters: Beautiful, Bountiful Buddha Bowls; Vibrant, Nourishing Salad Bowls; Comforting, Veggie-Rich Pasta Bowl; Easy Plant-Powered Soups; Energizing Breakfast Bowls and Simply Delicious Sides.

Beautiful, Bountiful Buddha Bowls features recipes for Tropical Poke Bowls, Southern Comfort Bowl and Loaded Baked Potato Bowl.

Vibrant, Nourishing Salad Bowls include recipes for Energizing Sweet Potato and Greens Salad, Spring Vegetable Panzanella and Ginger Soba Noodle Salad.

Comforting, Veggie-Rich Pasta Bowls offer Nacho Libre Mac & Cheese, Al Fresco Pasta and The Lemony Veg Pasta.

Easy Plant-Powered Soup include Vibrant Tumeric Vegetable Noodle Soup, Creamy Broccoli Soup and Farro & Vegetable Soup.

Energizing Breakfast Bowls have recipes for Caramelized Banana Smoothie Bowl, Mint Chip Smoothie Bowl and Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie Bowl.

Simply Delicious Sides rounds everything up with dishes like Chilantro-Tahini Broccoli, Basil Pesto Brussels Sprouts and Marinated Basil Tomatoes.

Back when it was still a bit cooler, I made Pea & Corn Chowder one evening. This is a very simple recipe of cauliflower, peas, corn, vegetable broth and some seasonings. It also allowed me to use my immersion blender, which is always fun.

All in all, I thought the dish was pretty good, and though not everyone at home wanted to try it, Those that did agreed that it was pretty good. So it was a success. And you can try it out yourself at home with the recipe that follows.

Vegan Buddha Bowls is published by Page Street Publishing. It is $21.99.

***

Reprinted with permission from Vegan Buddha Bowls by Cara Carin Cifelli, Page Street Publishing Co. 2020.

Pea & Corn

Chowder

One of my favorite things to do is chef at womens retreats. Because of the large group of people, I have to get creative in the kitchen, coming up with recipes that meet everyones dietary requirements. This is a fun take on a classic chowder that uses cauliflower instead of potatoes to make it nightshade-free, and it is delicious. After partial blending it has a lovely thick texture, and the corn and peas add a beautiful sweetness that is tied together perfectly with the thyme and rosemary. You will love this!

1 tbsp (14 g) coconut oil

1 large yellow onion

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 large head cauliflower, chopped into small pieces (see Note)

2 tbsp (5 g) fresh thyme leaves

1 tbsp (2 g) chopped fresh rosemary

4 cups (946 ml) vegetable broth

1 lb (455 g) frozen sweet peas

1 lb (455 g) frozen corn kernels

Serves 4

In a large soup pot, melt the coconut oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the onion and season with salt and pepper. Saute for 5 minutes, then add the garlic, cauliflower, thyme and rosemary. Season again with salt and pepper to taste and mix well. Cook for 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the vegetable broth and bring to a boil, then add the peas and corn. Lower the heat to a simmer and cook, stirring, for another 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer half of the mixture to a high-speed blender and puree until smooth.

Transfer the puree back to the soup pot and stir to combine. Taste the soup and see whether you would like to add any more salt and pepper, then serve.

Note: Chop the florets into small pieces, only a little bigger than the size of the peas and corn.

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Contact Amy Phelps at aphelps@newsandsentinel.com

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Try out the vegan life with Buddha Bowls - Parkersburg News