What if everything you ever learned was wrong?

How do we know what we learned in school is true?

What if we were misinformed? By well meaning teachers who didn't know that the food pyramid was upside down? Personally I think it was ingenious. Canada came up with steps based on our pyramid. Then, the USA changed it a few years ago to be a pyramid, but with verticle divisions, completely defeating the genius of buliding a good foundation, and using less of each category on top, going up.

Now I think we are supposed to use a food plate. very unimaginative. and wrong still.
The pyramid was developed in based on the input of the Meat and Diary Associations. NOT based on Science. Did you hear that? NOT based on ANY scientific studies at all.

The Standard American Diet, based on the food plate, has resulted in 68.5% overweight or obese. So let's reexamine the evidence about healthy food choices.

Remember you were told that you couldn't get enough protein by eating vegetables?

They were wrong!

Think about it, do you know any vegetarians? I know several. I know a woman who has been a vegetarian for 24 years. She's obviously healthy. She's not overweight. Her risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer is quite low. It seems that a Vegan Diet can reverse heart disease. Let me repeat that, REVERSE heart disease. There is a scientific basis for this statement.They have done the studies.The consumption of meat is conducive to diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and cancer.

Healthy Eating Plate from Harvard School of Public Health is slightly better and includes no area for DAIRY! Whereas the MYFood Plate has a place for a glass of milk (or yogurt).

Happiness Techniques

Sonja Lyubomirsky wrote a book , called the How of Happiness. It's about proven techniques that you can use every day to elevate your happiness level.  Sonja has done a lot of research on this. She says that only 10% of your happiness is determined by your situation.

This means that you may think, when I get that car, or that job, or a new house, THEN I will be happy. Which is true, BUT, for how long? Sure you feel good driving that new car, for about a week. Then you get used to it. Human beings are very adaptable. So now you have the car and it's no longer a big deal.

Sonja found that all Happy People have a way to express Gratitude, and they express it EVERY day. You can do that, too.

She also found that they have a way to nurture their spirituality, and often meditate 20 minutes per day.

There are lots of great ideas in her book, and also in the The How of Happiness Song. The only way to hear it is to go to her website and click the clink on the bottom right:

http://thehowofhappiness.com/

Mindfulness is a Misnomer

Mindfulness may not be the best term for it. People confuse mindfulness with thinking. But it is actually the opposite of thinking! It is, in fact, being.

It has nothing to do with the mindless monkey chattering away in your brain!

Mindfulness means presence or awareness, and in order to practice mindfulness, you try to become more aware of your body, by breathing, or feeling your sensations,or just focusing on your toes, for example. where were your toes a minute ago? They were in the same place they are now, but you weren't aware of them.

It's not easy to be mindful.              
But there are many benefits!
It can help you to more healthy, in body, mind, and spirit!
It boosts immunity, reduces stress, and increases productivity.
Just a few minutes of mindfulness recharges your batteries.

My colleague and I will be presenting a Workshop about Mindfulness next August!

Animal vs. Vegetable Protein

Remember you were told that you couldn't get enough protein by eating vegetables?

They were wrong!

Think about it, do you know any vegetarians? I know several. I know a woman who has been a vegetarian for 24 years. She's obviously healthy. She's not overweight. Her risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer is quite low.

 I am investigating this because my son has decided to become a vegetarian. I applaud his choice. There are many reasons to eat vegetarian. It is good for the environment, the economy, and your body!

A Vegetarian diet has been proven to reverse Heart Disease. No animal products, no heart disease. What a discovery! all we have to do is eliminate meat from our diet and we can be healthier. So why not? There are many vegetable sources of protein:

Mushrooms, spinach, broccoli, beans, lentils, nuts, avocados, and chia seeds are some of them. Grains and psuedograins (quinoa, buckwheat, and wild rice), contain protein, too.

I am enjoying a lot of new foods and recipes! I feel good about what I am eating, and I feel more healthy, too!

Musings about the Mind

I like the word, "mind." It can be a noun or a verb. As a noun it refers 1 third of your being, as in body, mind, and spirit. It often refers to the brain. But also the brain plus the processes that the brain initiates.

The verb mind is a synonym for pay attention to (something).

Do you mind?

What's on your mind?

If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.

A mind is a terrible thing to waste.

You're out of your mind!

Mind your manners!

Mindless chatter.

mind
mindful
mindfulness.

Mindfulness training in schools

I found this on the Facebook page for the Wellness Council of USF Medical College. It's about how mindfulness techniques, like yoga, can reduce the effects of trauma and stress!

Seems like there are several schools that are jumping on the band wagon. I wish Florida Public Schools would jump on!


http://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2013/07/24/how-yoga-might-save-the-u-s-trillions-of-dollars-and-a-lot-of-lives/

Happy or Irresponsible?

Don't Worry, Be HAPPY!

These are words of advice from a song sung by Bobby McFerrin.

Do they encourage people to ignore problems and behave irresponsibly? Perhaps. But I think they express a profound philosophical truth. Worrying prevents you from being happy. Worry creates tension, and tension prevents happiness. You need some way to relax and take a vacation from stress and worry. Worrying is bad for you, physically, mentally, and emotionally.

The song also states that when you are in trouble, worry will make it double, essentially making the problem worse. We know worry doesn't help anything, and is likely to make you sick!

In the Bible, Jesus says No amount of worry will add years to your life.

In The Lion King, this problem-free philosophy is promulgated by Timon and Pumba, in the song Hakuna Matada.

All these experts agree that worry cannot help you, and in fact can hurt your health. So, don't worry. Be happy.