Constipation

Stop giggling...
That is usually the reaction I get when I bring up bowel movements. It's a normal part of life and shouldn't be as embarassing as it usually is.
I truly believe that this is a huge problem with many (most?) people. With rare exceptions, people who get migraines are usually constipated. Makes sense; your body reabsorbs toxins that it's trying to get rid of. I could go on and on with examples.
Here's another one: travelers. People tend to get constipated when they travel. All those hours of sitting and eating less-than-healthy food.
What works for most people is adding fiber to their diet while drinking additional water. Exercise tends to get your intestines moving as well. Anyone who has ever run in a road-race will attest to the long lines at the port-a-potties with nervous people relieving themselves or else later in the race when "things" are moving...besides your legs.
Here is some simple advice: eat more leafy greens; some raw. Lots of non-starchy vegetables along with whole-grains, legumes and beans. Don't forget to dring 8 glasses of pure water a day! Do this and you should have your once a day bowel movement.
Healthy regards!
Patty

Climacteric

Hi everyone!
Something fun to learn about today. The ancient Greeks thought the climacterics were critical years in a persons life and were turning points; generally at 7 year intervals. A child age 7 was thought to begin to reason and jumping ahead to adulthood is the magic age of 21. In modern times it is also used in tandem with "the change of life" or the menopausal years both for men and women. Interesting isn't it? Where are you in this? 7, 14, 49 (like me!) or 63? Some thought the climacterics were every 9 years and that 81 is the grand climacteric.
I like the thought that, frankly, at any time we can reinvent ourselves. We can decide to place ourselves on a better health trajectory through healthier eating, stress reduction and exercise.
Here's to learning something new everyday. Work out your brain too!
Healthy regards,
Patty

Community

Hello everyone,
Last week we had Learn to Cook in a Week II. There were 8 of us, plus my son Russell washing dishes (thanks Russell!)The first day is a bit quiet while people get to know each other. By the end of the week, we know each other very well and felt like family. Our own little cooking and baking community...it was wonderful.
Feeling like one is part of a community is so grounding and satisfying. Sometimes, we are all so busy that we go from work to home and rarely interact with others. Our first "community" is our families of course, but if you make a point of becoming involved somehow in a community function you will feel so connected. It's very satisfying.
Best of health,
Patty

Happy New Year!

Hello everyone,
Everyday we wake up is a new day; a clean slate, however there's something about a New Year that inspires us all. On New Year's Day Bill and I were out for a walk with our dog and alongside the road was a full pack of cigarettes. Well, generally I get so angry when people litter, but I smiled at this one. Someone out there is starting their New Year with high-hopes to quit smoking. I wish them well (but please don't litter agin..I don't like picking up your trash.)
I was interviewd the other day and the writer asked me for some simple ways to be a bit healthier this year. Here are the tips I gave her:
Eat more vegetables. Try to eat at least 4 or 5 cups of vegetables a day. That's a big salad with lots of various colored vegetables, some steamed broccoli for dinner and spinach, onions and garlic in your eggs for breakfast. It isn't that difficult. Don't forget the old standby carrot and celery sticks for snacks.
Don't eat fake food! No fake sugars. No artificial flavorings, seasonings or preservatives.
Drink plenty of clean water; at least 8 cups a day
Educate yourself about nutrition so you can make good choices.
Try to eat organic foods as much as possibly.
Exercise!

Not that tough...eat more veggies, organic if possible, drink enough water, educate yourself or find someone to educate you about nutrition, no fake foods and get some exercise.

Here's to your health!!!
Patty