Dating After Fifty- A Fifty Plus Community

The percentage of single baby has been rising rapidly in the past few years. According to a recent AARP survey, fifty six percent of baby boomers are separated or divorced from a spouse. Baby boomers are comprised of those born between 1946-64. Approximately 70 percent of formerly married singles in their fifties have been single for at least five years!

As of 2006 there are more than 79 million baby boomers. Estimated population in 1946 was 141.1 million. Today's population stands at 297.7! According to the American College of Sports Medicine, by the year 2030 more than 70 million Americans will be 65 years of age or older, and those 85 years of age and older will be the fastest-growing age group.

Average annual expenditures on health care in 2004 for people ages 45 to 54 the age group that is the heart of the baby boom generation. Number of baby boomers living in 2030, according to projections; 54.9 percent would be female.

Sex and dating do not end after fifty! It may not be the same as when you were twenty, but it is still just as important!

Our bodies do go through physiological changes that will alter one's sexual experiences. This is natural and happens to everyone. Everyone ages at a different pace but the outcome is pretty much the same for everyone.

Testosterone for men and estrogen for women decrease during the aging process. The decrease in these for both sexes can both slow down the desire for intimacy and change the intensity. It can both discouraging and embarrassing to talk about.

These issues should be discussed openly with one's partner and also possibly with a physician. Sometimes medication such as testosterone will be given to women to increase their libido.

After menopause, women often lose partially if not all of their sex drive. They become embarrassed to talk about it and often it keeps them from enjoying intimacy. If you experience this a gynecologist can prescribe small doses of testosterone to increase sex drive.

For men, there is a gradual loss of sex drive that will occur after 50 but, a rapid loss usually means that there is a problem. It could be endocrine related or from depression. It is important to discuss any serious issues with your doctor.

I write articles on a daily basis and one of the topics that I really haven't covered yet is what to do when you are suddenly single again due to a death or breakup. It can be overwhelming and sometimes disastrous. Understanding that it takes time to heal is very important.

Whether someone is recently single after a long term relationship due to divorce or sudden death of a loved one, normally that individual is not ready for a commitment. Many times there is such a feeling of loneliness that there is an impulse to become involved too quickly.

This can result in either choosing the wrong person or hurting someone when you realize that you were really not ready. There should be no rush to jump into a relationship. You should take your time to learn more about the person you have become and what you really want out of a partner.

Suddenly, after years of marriage and raising kids you are single again. It can be very difficult to accept the reality that you are now alone with not too many friends. Many people fear they will never find love again at their age.

There are literally millions of single people in their 50's. Many couples realize after their children are raised that they no longer have anything in common and decide to go their separate ways.

We are biologically engineered to fall in love and being alone is not natural for most of us. So, we are faced with the search once more for love and companionship.

At first, you may not know what you are looking for. Mostly, when just out of a marriage, people are looking for companionship. They may not be thinking long term. If you were married for a long time, you may need time to really get to know your self again and decide what you really want and what is not acceptable to you any longer.

Behavior that you may have tolerated previously may suddenly not seem so appealing. Now that you are free to choose again, take your time to meet new people and get in touch with the "new you".

Probably one of the easiest ways to meet singles is through a free dating service .

After the age of 50, normally the makeup we used in our 40's and they way we apply it doesn't work the same.As we age our skin texture changes.I recommend you follow a few simple tips that will make you look younger.

1. Don't use shimmer makeup. It accentuates your
fine lines and wrinkles.

2. Never apply matte products since they look pasty
and dry.

3. When wearing lip liner, apply it on your lips and
not outside your natural lip line.

4. Use mascara and liner on your upper lashes only!

5. Only use foundation where really needed and to
hide red spots. Under your eyes, use a light
concealer and mix with moisturizer. Your eye area
is delicate and dry and adding foundation will
leave your eye area looking dry and accentuate
the fine lines

6. When applying blush, smile first and blend into
the apples of your cheeks.

There are a few quality online dating sites for seniors such as Seniordatefinder.com and Seniormatch.com. They do charge a monthly fee and this may not be for everyone. The good news is that seniors have more choices than ever in online dating.

For those seniors that don't wish to pay for a dating site Allsinglesmeet.com is a great choice in free online dating. They are a fairly new free dating site however, they are very selective about membership and promote themselves as spam and scam free. They should become a major player on the free online dating market in the near future.

There are so many fun things that you can do on a date. If you are new to the single's life, you might feel stumped. Don't feel that way!! Below are some great ideas that you might find that will make a fun date and very likely lead to another!

1. Take a cooking class. Check and see if there are any cooking classes in your area. This could be really interesting and most of all lots of fun! It is something that you can do to really interact with your date as well as find out more about their personality!
2. A motorcycle ride is another way to share the open road with someone and get a little "close" and cozy with that person as well. It might kick up the chemistry a bit. If you don't have a motorcycle you might be able to rent a scooter in your area.
3. Bike rides are a healthy way to enjoy your date as well as see some nice scenery by using a nature trail.
4. Local zoos are fun and most people enjoy them.
5. A museum is a great place to spend the afternoon if your date likes history or science.
6. Picnics are relaxing and women love them! Especially if a man prepares for it himself!
7. Art Galleries are normally very interesting to most people. People over 50 normally do have at least some appreciation of art.
8. Comedy Clubs are a way to laugh and enjoy an evening without getting to serious in conversation.Great way to see what type of sense of humor your date has as well!
9. Movies are always a no brainer when all other ideas are exhausted.

Planning fun activities for your first date will definitely increase your odds of getting a second one!

I am compiling a selection of easy and yummy appetizers that can be whipped up from start to finish within 30 minutes! If you have any that you would like to add please send them to me!



Stuffed Shrimp with Clams

1 pound large shrimp, uncooked
3/4 cup soda cracker crumbs (about 18 crackers)
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 (6-ounce) can minced clams
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley leaves
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper
1/3 cup sherry (dry or sweet)
Parsley sprigs for garnish
Lemon wedges for garnish

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Peel and devein the shrimp, leaving tails on. Using a sharp knife, butterfly shrimp by cutting along the inner curve or underbelly about halfway (almost completely through), leaving the tails firmly attached. Press the shrimp down flat like a butterfly.

In a medium bowl, combine the cracker crumbs, butter, clams (including liquid), parsley, garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste. Stuff each of the shrimp with the clam mixture. Arrange the stuffed shrimp in a large baking dish; pour sherry around the shrimp.

Bake approximately 10 to 15 minutes or until shrimp are opaque in center (cut to test). Remove from oven. To serve, arrange shrimp on a serving platter. Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon wedges. Serve warm.

Makes 4 servings.

Wine Country Brie

This recipe takes less than 30 minutes unless you count the refridgeration time!

Serve this almond-coated cheese wheel with your favorite crackers, or on a platter with fresh fruits.

Ingredients:

* 8 oz. pkg. Brie
* 1/2 cup Sauterne
* 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
* 1/3 cup finely chopped toasted blanched almonds
* crackers
* grapes and sliced pears or apples

Method

Cut cheese in 1/2" pieces; place in small deep bowl. Pour sauterne over cheese. Cover and refrigerate 4 hrs or overnight Drain cheese, discarding sauterne. Cream together cheese and butter until smooth. If too soft to shape in a ball, refrigerate a few minutes. When more firm, shape into ball. Flatten ball to about 4" diameter, making a wheel. Coat entire wheel with almonds. Serve as a spread for crackers or on a tray with grapes, pears or apples.

Warm Scallion Dip with Salt and Pepper Potato Chips


Yield: 4 servings
Serving Size: 0.500 cup

1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Zest of 1 lime
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (from 2 limes)
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
4 bunches scallions, cut into 1-inch pieces, both green and white parts
1 red or green jalapeno pepper, thinly sliced (optional)
Salt and pepper potato chips, for serving
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 cups sour cream

Directions:
Serve the dip with good quality potato chips; if you can't find salt and pepper potato chips, just sprinkle some on regular chips.

1. In a large saute pan, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over a medium-low flame. Add the scallions and cook until soft, about 7 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic and continue cooking 1 minute more. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly in the saute pan.

2. Stir in the lime zest and juice, sour cream, salt and pepper. Serve warm with potato chips.

Guacamole Deviled Eggs


Prep & Cooking Time:
Yield: 6 servings
Serving Size: 1.000 egg
1 to 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
6 large eggs
Pepper to taste
Salt to taste
1/2 avocado, peeled pitted and cut into small pieces
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
Cilantro leaves for garnish
1 small garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon minced jalapeno (optional)

Directions:

This is a healthy substitute for traditional deviled eggs. Yogurt replaces mayonnaise and guacamole adds the the mix!

1. Place the eggs in a medium saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, uncovered. When the water begins to boil, remove the pan from the heat and cover for 8 minutes. Remove the eggs from the pan and place in ice water; peel as soon as they are cool. Cut the peeled eggs in half lengthwise. Scoop out the yolks and place in a medium bowl; reserve the whites. Combine with the avocado, lemon juice, garlic, jalapeno and yogurt. Mash with the back of a fork until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

2. Spoon the mixture in a small zip-lock bag. Snip off a small corner of the plastic bag, leaving about a 1/4-inch opening. Pipe the avocado mixture back into the egg whites. Top each with a cilantro leaf and place on a serving platter.

White Wines- Spanish



An excellent Spanish wine with a combination of the Albarino and Tredxadura grapes.This light yellow opened with a bouquet that expressed some minerals, was a bit grassy, and had some petrol influence. On the palate, this medium bodied wine is crisp, racy, and a touch tangy. Its flavor profile is tasty lime like flavors with hints of green apple. The finish is dry and lingers nicely. Wonderful with clams.
Price 17.00

When deciding what to do on your first date, it is always recommended to keep it simple and meet in a public place such as a wine bar or cafe.

There are so many trendy places to impress your date today without spending a fortune to find out that you don't really have an attraction or anything in common with that person. I always like to meet in a Starbuck's atmosphere or wine bar. Normally, if someone doesn't drink alcohol they do enjoy either tea or coffee.

Meet somewhere that is not too noisy. You want to feel relaxed and be able to hear your date. A night club would probably not be advisable the first time.

Also, make sure that you let your date know that this is for a "drink" so that they don't arrive hungry and expect dinner. You might ask if they would like an appetizer or desert if the date seems like it is going to last more than a short time.

Conversation should start flowing after a few minutes. If is doesn't, my experience has always been that there is not enough attraction or my date's personality is not going to match mine. You should not have to do all the talking.

A first date is a type of interview but should not feel like an interrogation. Keep the questions light and make the person feel that you are interested in them without seeming too pushy. You are simply there to find out if there is enough common interest and attraction for a future date.

One thing that you don't want to do is to start chatting too much about your past relationships. If a question is asked you can touch on it briefly and then move on. No one wants an hour story about why your relationship didn't work and how hurt you were. It takes away from the lightness of the evening and sets up red flags that you make not be over your ex.

Best advice simply is keep the evening light and fun. If there is enough attraction and common interest you can move to a second date!



Free Online Dating Service

Love and companionship are ageless. People are still looking for love after 50 and should not feel it is outside of their ability to find it.

The wonderful thing about dating in later years is that people generally have more time to spend with a significant other. Kids are often raised or old enough to not be a constant in the relationship. Generally, people are more financially secure and have money to date and travel.

Men tend to be more settled and open to a long term committment. Careers are usually established and there tends to be a greater emphasis on finding a quality relationship.

Starting a long term relationship after 50 normally has a better success rate. It is still advisable to start out slowly and see if you really like the person and connect.

Too often, people tend to dive in fast without taking time to get to know the other person and it ends abruptly. The great thing about dating after fifty is that mistakes have already been made and most people know what they are looking for in a partner.

Mistakes in past relationships have made future relationships hopefully better as a result. Women are also looking for someone to fulfill what they didn't get in a marriage and find men over 50 more stable.

Still, take time to get to know your partner. Establish a base. This can only be done with consistent time spent with someone. Seeing someone once a week or less will not build any bonds or help you get to know the person on a regular basis.