How To Fake “Happy” June 10, 2013
Posted by nrhatch in Happiness, Health & Wellness, Life Balance, Mindfulness.Tags: Depression, Happiness, Health, Life Balance, Mood, Wellness
48 comments
People often say I am the most positive person they know . . . that I give them a daily dose of much needed “positivity.”
When I admit that I’ve struggled to maintain equilibrium since my teens, they are inclined to disbelief.
“But . . . you seem so happy.”
Of course I do.
Happiness is my life preserver.
If I didn’t fake “happy,” I would be sucked into the murky depths of despair by the state of the world.
You can fake “happy” too.
* Smile, though your heart is aching.
* Laugh when you feel like crying.
* Claim what isn’t, as if it were, until it becomes.
The best way to be happy is to be happy.
Simple in concept, but challenging in application. Like any other skill (writing, singing, dancing, playing a musical instrument), if we wish to become more proficient, we must practice, practice, practice.
It is in the doing that we become.
Aah . . . that’s better!
Quote to Ponder: We do not laugh because we are happy. We are happy because we laugh. ~ William James
Related posts: Better Thoughts -> Better Results * The Art of Happiness * Zen & The Art of Happiness * Everlasting Happiness * Choose Happiness * Sidey’s Weekend Theme ~ Happiness
The Zen of Eating April 23, 2013
Posted by nrhatch in Food & Drink, Health & Wellness, Mindfulness.Tags: Diet, Food, Health, Mindfulness, Weight Loss, Wellness, Zen
23 comments
Want to lose weight? Without feeling deprived and frustrated?
Practice The Zen of Eating.
Be mindful of the tastes and textures of the food you prepare.
Focus on the nourishment it provides.
Be thankful for the abundance and variety of food in your life.
Say a blessing for your blessings.
Express loving kindness for all who contributed to growing and harvesting the food on your plate:
May you be happy
May you be healthy
May you be peaceful
May you be safe
Explore your pantry.
Note the origin of ingredients from differing cultures and traditions around the globe: Curry from India. Olive Oil from Greece. Pasta from Italy. Cheddar from Cheddar. Maple Syrup from Vermont or Canada.
Savor the sensation of . . . enough.
Aah . . . that’s better!
From Amazon:
When it comes to weight loss, the emphasis today is shifting away from fad diets and compulsive workouts toward sane, sensible techniques that incorporate both the mind and the body. This is the first book to apply the 2,500-year-old principles of Zen Buddhism to the modern struggle with the vicious cycle of dieting, losing, and regaining weight.
From a Buddhist perspective, overeating is a disorder of desire. This book will teach readers how to find freedom from eating problems and the tyranny of desire that triggers them. Filled with concrete, practical exercises and the wisdom of the ages, The Zen of Eating provides, at last, an alternative to ineffective diet programs, products, and pills.
Quote to Ponder: These words are simple. Mastering them is hard. ~ Tao Te Ching
More Thoughts on Health & Nutrition November 28, 2012
Posted by nrhatch in Food & Drink, Fun & Games, Humor, Joke.Tags: Food, Health, Heart Disease, Humor, Joke, Wellness, Wine
18 comments
For those of you who watch what you eat, here’s are some interesting observations on nutrition and health:
1. The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
3. The Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
5. The Germans drink a lot of beer and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
CONCLUSION: Eat and drink whatever you like. It’s speaking English that kills you.
And remember:
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body.
Instead, plan to skid in sideways . . . chardonnay in one hand, chocolate in the other, body spent, while screaming, “WOO-HOO, what a ride!!”
Aah . . . that’s better!
Source: e-mail from an unknown author (sent by Granny1947)
Misconceptions About Food and Dieting November 24, 2012
Posted by nrhatch in Fun & Games, Health & Wellness, Humor, Joke.Tags: Exercise, Health, Humor, Joke, Nutrition, Wellness
50 comments
Just in time for the Holidays, I am delighted to bring you this interview with my new primary care physician, Dr. Wong Yu Phat.
Q: Doctor Yu Phat, I’ve heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this true?
A: No, no. Not at all. Heart only good for so many beats, and that it ~ don’t waste on exercise. Everything wear out eventually. Speeding up heart not make you live longer; it like saying you extend life of car by driving faster. Want to live longer? Take nap.
Q: At this time of year, holiday gatherings and social invites proliferate. Should we limit alcohol intake at holiday parties?
A: No, no, no. Fruit and vegetables good for you. Wine made from fruit. Brandy distilled wine. That mean they take water out of fruity bit so you get even more of goodness that way. Beer also made of grain. Bottom up!
Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well, if you have body and you have fat, your ratio one to one. If you have two body, your ratio two to one.
Q: What are the advantages of a regular exercise program?
A: Can’t think of single one, sorry. My philosophy: No pain . . .good!
Q: What about fried foods? Are they bad for us?
A: YOU NOT LISTENING! Food fried in vegetable oil. How getting more vegetable be bad?
Q : Will doing sit-ups every night prevent me from developing a tire around the middle?
A: Oh no! When you exercise muscle, it get bigger. You should only be doing sit-up if you want bigger tire belly.
Q: But isn’t getting in shape important?
A: Hey! Round is shape!
Q: What about chocolate? Is chocolate bad for us?
A: You crazy?!? HEL-LO-O!! Cocoa bean! Another vegetable! It best feel-good food around!
Q: My trainer said that swimming is good for my figure. What do you think?
A: NO WAY. If swimming good for figure, explain whale to me.
Thank you for your candid advice, Dr. Wong Yu Phat!
I hope this interview cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.
Now, go enjoy the holidays . . . eat, drink, and be merry! And, whatever you do, don’t exercise.
Aah . . . that’s better!
Source: e-mail from an unknown author (sent by Granny1947)
Heal Yourself November 11, 2012
Posted by nrhatch in Exercise & Fitness, Health & Wellness, Mindfulness.Tags: Healing, Healing Foods, Health, Mindfulness, Wellness
23 comments
Yesterday, we headed to the island to listen to my favorite music duo ~ Julie Patchouli and Bruce Hecksel.
You can listen to Patchouli here.
While soaking up their sounds and the island sun, I met Linda, a breast cancer survivor who, after an initial biopsy, opted against further surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.
Instead, she focused on holistic healing, including a raw food diet and mindfulness.
Like the Miracle Man . . . she healed herself.
How? By BELIEVING she could.
Now, 8 years after her initial diagnosis, Linda has a book about her journey to wellness on the horizon. The editing is complete, and she’ll be shopping for a publisher soon.
Aah . . . that’s better!
To read more: 13 Tips to Stay Healthy & Happy * Journey Into Healing * Does Time Heal All Wounds? * Holiday Health Made Simple * Good Mood Food * Laughter . . . the BEST Medicine * Using Visualization to Ease Pain
Who’s In Charge Here??? October 13, 2012
Posted by nrhatch in Health & Wellness, Humor, Joke, Nature, People.Tags: Health, Humor, Joke, Miracles, Nature, People, Wellness
32 comments
The body is an amazing machine. A brilliant multi-tasker. An intricate inter-woven web of cogs and pulleys all working in synch to get us from here to there. A miracle in motion. No spark plugs required.
Or, as John F. Kennedy, Jr., once said, “Man is still the most extraordinary computer of all.”
One day . . .
The organs and body parts held a meeting to decide who should be the C.E.O. of the operation.
“I should be in charge,” said the brain, “because I run all the body’s systems. Without me, nothing would happen.”
“I should be in charge,” said the blood, “because I circulate oxygen to all the organs and extremities. Without me, you’d all waste away and die.”
“I should be in charge,” said the stomach, “because I process food and provide you with energy.”
“I should be in charge,” said the legs, “because I carry the body wherever it needs to go.”
“I should be in charge,” said the eyes, “because I allow the body to see where it’s going.”
“No, I should be in charge,” declared the rectum, “because I’m responsible for waste removal.”
With that, all the other body parts burst out laughing. Annoyed at their reaction to his suggestion, the rectum commenced Operation Shut Down.
Within a few days:
* the brain developed a terrible headache
* the stomach became bloated and nauseous
* the legs grew wobbly
* the eyes could no longer see straight
* the blood became toxic.
Convinced, the body called an emergency meeting and voted unanimously to put the rectum in charge.
Aah . . . that’s better!
Moral of the Story: Even when others do all the work, there’s usually an asshole in charge.
Inspiration: e-mail from unknown author
* * * * *
Quote to Ponder: Each human being is a multiplicity of miracles. Eyes that see thousands of colors, shapes, and forms; ears that hear a bee flying or a thunderclap; a brain that ponders a speck of dust as easily as the entire cosmos; a heart that beats in rhythm with the heartbeat of all beings. When we are tired and feel discouraged by life’s daily struggles, we may not notice these miracles, but they are always there . . .
~ Thich Nhat Hanh
Related posts: Life is a Series of Miracles (Love is the Answer) * Shape Up or Ship Out (WP Daily Prompt)
On The Road Again August 7, 2012
Posted by nrhatch in Exercise & Fitness, Health & Wellness, Travel & Leisure.Tags: Bicycle, Exercise, Fitness, Health, Quadracycle, Wellness
49 comments
My sister and her family visited on Sunday. They brought their Quadracycle for mom to try:
She seemed to enjoy her new found freedom as she pedaled up and down the road with my sister:
After her ride, I asked her if she wanted one ~ “No way! That’s hard work!”
Then, as she disentangled herself from the cross bars, I heard her exclaim, Aah . . . that’s better!
Journey Into Healing November 5, 2011
Posted by nrhatch in Books & Movies, Health & Wellness, Meditation.Tags: Books, Deepak Chopra, Health, Meditation, Mindfulness, Wellness
43 comments
In Journey Into Healing ~ Awakening the Wisdom Within You, Deepak Chopra, M.D., shares page after page of concise insights worthy of consideration. A few of my favorites:
* The cause of disease is often extremely complex, but one thing can be said for certain: no one has proved that getting sick is necessary. [p. 20]
* We all create scenarios and then become convinced by them, down to our very cells. [p. 37]
* Vedic verse declares, “The inner intelligence of the body is the ultimate and supreme genius in nature. It mirrors the wisdom of the cosmos.” This genius is inside you, a part of your inner blueprint that cannot be erased. [p. 51]
* Every cell is a miniature terminal connected to the cosmic computer. [p. 52]
* Just one year ago, 98 percent of the atoms in our bodies were not there. It’s as if we live inside buildings whose bricks are being systematically taken out and replaced. [p. 60]
* We have a pharmacy inside us that is absolutely exquisite. It makes the right medicine, for the precise time, for the right target organ ~ with NO side effects. [p. 69]
* Science declares that we are physical machines that have somehow learned to think. Now it dawns that we are thoughts that have learned to create a physical machine. [p. 72]
* When the mind is peaceful, inner energies wake up and work miracles for us ~ without any conscious effort on our part. [p. 77]
* When we experience pure silence in the mind, the body becomes silent also. And in that field of silence, healing is much more efficient. [p. 97]
* If the nervous system were purified of stress, then it would only express Being, which is always life-supporting because its nature is bliss. [p. 106]
* The use of love is to heal. When it flows without effort from the depths of the self, love creates health. [p. 111]
* One’s inner sense of “me” is built up of images from the past, all the fears, hopes, wishes, dreams, loves, and disappointments one calls “mine.” However, if you strip all these images away, something of “me” is still left: the decision maker, the screen, the silent witness. [p. 124]
* An intimate relationship is one that allows you to be yourself. [p. 138]
* The deepest reality you are aware of is the one from which you draw your power. [p. 140]
In addition Chopra shares tips for Mindfulness Meditation, concluding that section by stating:
If you stay rested, take care of yourself, and take time to commit to meditation, you are bound to get in touch with your inner self. You will tap into the cosmic mind, the voice that whispers to you nonverbally in the silent spaces between your thoughts. This is your inner intelligence, and it is the ultimate and supreme genius that mirrors the wisdom of the universe. Trust this inner wisdom and all your dreams will come true.
Aah . . . that’s better!
Related post: Enjoy The Ride (Crowing Crone)
Good Mood Food November 3, 2011
Posted by nrhatch in Food & Drink, Gratitude, Happiness, Health & Wellness.Tags: Food, Happiness, Healing Foods, Health, Wellness
55 comments
Depression in the leading cause of disability in the world, according to the World Health Organization.
Nutrition can play a part in improving mood.
To turn your frown upside down (without having to stand on your head) . . . try some Good Mood Food!
According to The Top 100 Healing Foods ~ 100 Foods to Relieve Common Ailments and Enhance Health and Vitality, these foods may alleviate mild depression:
* Bananas ~ tryptophan, an amino acid, aids in the production of serotonin, a brain chemical that improves mood and encourages relaxation. Other good sources: poultry, dairy products, and peas. [Top 100 Healing Foods, p. 52]
* Goji Berry ~ eating a handful of goji berries will “lift your mood and make you feel happy for the entire day.” [Top 100 Healing Foods, p. 62]
* Brown Rice ~ “When consumed regularly, it may help to ease depression, probably due to its B-vitamin and magnesium content – nutrients needed to calm and strengthen the nerves.” [Top 100 Healing Foods, p. 76)
* Almonds ~ an ideal food for the brain and nervous system which also "improves the skin, protects cells from free radicals, and slows down the aging process." [Top 100 Healing Foods, p. 86]
* Walnuts ~ a powerhouse of nutrients (including Omega-3 fatty acids) which “aid cognitive function and sharpen the memory” as well as keeping “blood vessels flexible.” [Top 100 Healing Foods, p. 88]
* Eggs ~ free range eggs contain “more vitamins and good fats, and less cholesterol than eggs laid by battery hens.” [Top 100 Healing Foods, p. 108]
* Salmon ~ good for “lowering cholesterol and high blood pressure, easing the symptoms of asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and depression, and improving skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.” [Top 100 Healing Foods, p. 110]
And (no surprise here) . . .
* Dark Chocolate ~ “Chocolate possesses phenylethylamine, an amphetamine-like compound that acts as a natural mood enhancer, and theobromine, which is a mild stimulant. To reap the benefits of dark chocolate, it should be eaten regularly in small amounts.” [Top 100 Healing Foods, p. 117]
Other tips to elevate mood with food from What To Eat For What Ails You ~ How to Treat Illnesses by Changing the Food and Vitamins in Your Diet:
* Carbohydrates trigger the release of serotonin, our feel-good neurotransmitter. Focus on complex carbohydrates ~ fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
* Add foods rich in folate, a B-vitamin that may be deficient in people with depression. Good sources: spinach, lentils, and peas.
* Salmon, tuna, and mackerel are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids which promote proper brain function and may help relieve depression.
* Reduce your intake of saturated fats and sugar ~ red meat, cheese, butter, and rich desserts.
* Limit or eliminate your intake of alcohol and caffeine. Alcohol is a depressant that also causes dehydration and fatigue.
Caveat: Good Mood Food may help to alleviate mild depression. Severe depression warrants profession treatment.
Other things that help to improve mood naturally: light and laughter, playful kittens, sunshine and fresh air, roly-poly puppies, regular exercise, bunny rabbits, watching young children at play, mindfulness, pampering, creative visualization, gratitude, meditation, music, and . . . uplifting videos!
Here’s Your Smile For The Day (Reflections from a Cloudy Mirror)
Aah . . . that’s better!
Quote to Ponder: We do not laugh because we are happy . . . we are happy because we laugh.
Related posts: Vim & Vigor via Vinegar * Speaking of Chocolate . . . * Coffee ~ Friend or Foe? * Get Out!!! * Will This Thought Bring Me Happiness
Dashes, Pinches, and Dollops November 1, 2011
Posted by nrhatch in Food & Drink, Health & Wellness, Vegetarian Recipes.Tags: Dietary fiber, Food, Fruit and Vegetable, Health, Nutrition, Wellness
37 comments
Crumbl made a good point in a recent post . . . which also contained some very nice observations about SLTW (thanks, Crumbl!):
Food doesn’t come to our plates in a vacuum. While we may give a great deal of thought to the main ingredients (or not), do we consider the other elements that, consciously or not, comprise the balance of our plates. Herbs, spices, flavouring agents, butter, oils, all bring not only taste to the plate, but nutritional benefits that are worth noting.
His point is on point!
- Image via Wikipedia
It is easy to transform low fat/ high fiber fare into ”nutritional disaster zones” by:
* Frying in oil (potatoes, onion rings)
* Adding heavy cream-based sauces
* Using toppings to “mask” the taste of food rather than seasoning it.
* Piling on the cheese and sour cream.
When we use fragrant aromatic seasonings to enhance our food, we add to our enjoyment to our meals without adding girth to our waistlines.
If we want to eat for better health and wellness, we may need to rethink how we season our food:
* Mixed Salad Greens add raw enzymes, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to our plates. Adding salad to our meals is a good way to add nutrition to our days as long as we don’t overdo the high fat/low fiber toppings (French Fried onion rings, bacon bits, grated cheese, fried croutons, thick dressings).
Low fat/ high fiber inclusions for salads come in all colors of the rainbow: Carrots, Celery, Peppers, Tomatoes, Onions, Broccoli, Corn, Green Beans, Garbanzo Beans, Kidney Beans, Peas, Raisins, Nuts, and Seeds.
Instead of ladling heavy mayonnaise based dressings over all those good-for-us greens . . . try a w~h~i~s~p~e~r of a delicious herb vinaigrette.
* Potatoes, standing alone, are low fat and high fiber. It’s how we prepare and serve them that gives them their “bad boy” reputation. If we aren’t frying them up for French Fries, we’re loading them up like Santa’s sleigh with Butter, Sour Cream, Cheese, and Bacon.
Instead of French Fries, try Oven Fries ~ Cut 3-4 scrubbed potatoes or sweet potatoes into desired shape (wedges, fingers, chips, cubes). Toss with 1 Tbsp. of olive oil and desired seasonings (e.g. rosemary and garlic). Spread in single layer on baking sheet and bake at 375 degrees for 20-30 minutes.
Another potato recipe to experiment with . . . Colcannon.
Quote to Ponder: If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. ~ John Quincy Adams
Related posts: Nine Bean Soup * Fun with Food ~ Kid’s Lunches * Veggie Wraps *Veggie Tacos * Veggie Kabobs * Fiber Up Your Diet * Bon Appetit!
