Looking at my greying hair at least once a day, I stopped seeing it like I used to -- as a sign of defeat -- but more like acquiring a loyalty to my age. I started to accept the mantle of middle-aged maturity toward which this "crown" motivated me. It showed up mostly (surprisingly) in my relationships with other women.

Being functionally fit means you have the ability to perform life's daily activities with the stamina and strength to get through your day with enjoyment and ease. Moves like getting out of bed, getting in and out of a chair, shoveling snow, picking up groceries or kids, climbing stairs or completing household chores.

It doesn't matter if you're male or female, 25 or 75, by eating enough protein and engaging in regular weight training, you can slow aging, better your appearance, improve your health and prolong your life, as well as the quality of your later years.

Some people inject food poison bacteria into their face; we do chemical peels that make our skin burn and we continue to invest in commercial creams and lotions that claim to reverse aging. I'm certainly not going to judge anyone for wanting to retain their youth, but I believe there have to be better options like natural, effective, cruelty-free alternatives to costly and possibly dodgy chemical concoctions.

Elderberry has been used as a natural healing ingredient for thousands of years, and its ability to combat colds and influenza is well documented. The natural anti-oxidants in elderberries that have been shown to slow the aging process by reducing the level of oxygen free radicals in the body as well as by improving the flow of blood to the skin.

Don't worry there's also a list of anti-aging foods!