Spring is coming. And with spring comes gardening. I can't wait.
I've not been writing much as I've had so much to get done. We've revamped our kitchen and put in a dishwasher. I had to run some new wiring as well. Fun times. No, really. I enjoy such things. I'm also putting a new flooring in my office. The satisfaction of the accomplishments is tremendous.
Life has been pretty good. I've managed to ditch all the social media platforms from my life, and it's been wonderful. I believe we become too complacent and reliant on such things, and it's far too easy to become lazy and give in to the social dysfunction that these platforms bring. And, it makes it so much easier to let go of dysfunctional and pushy people. Some downright abusive.
I was actually able to get out into the garden yesterday and do some initial cleanup. Next step, get the riding mower back in shape and out in the yard. We've plans for the decorative plants in the front.
Spring will also bring a better opportunity to get back into shape. We bought a new weight bench and mats for the gym.
Life is pretty sweet.
Friday, March 22, 2019
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
Depression
What is depression? It's kind of like trying to describe the common cold. It's usually simplified by a set of symptoms, such as the cold is described as a runny nose and a cough. We tend to identify depression as sadness. But, sadness is just a symptom, not depression itself. Like a cold, depression is not the sum of its symptoms, such as sadness or anger. At the core of a cold is a virus. At the core of depression is apathy. Apathy can be described as lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern.
This is not the apathy we choose to employ when disinterested in something. Nor is it the coldness a typical psychopath might use for their own goals. This is an apathy that is more akin to a black hole in space.
Generally, anyone can feel "depressed" given their situation or if they are unbalanced. A person with actual depression will be in a state of apathy. This can have outward signs of symptoms such as sadness, or even manic happiness in the case of bipolar. These emotions are not a choice. Depression is not a choice. It doesn't go away.
A person can have depression for many reasons. Their environment, especially as a child. They can have a chemical imbalance or physical damage. They can be born with an abnormality. It can be a combination of these.
The unwise and foolish would say that one should just pull oneself out of depression. This is a clear lack of understanding and knowledge on the part of that person. It is like saying, "Just stop having a cold!" Most know that a cold must run its course and is incurable. Depression is the same way.
When one is persistently sad, another might say they are depressed. As I said, sadness is merely a symptom. Many think that happiness is the opposite of sadness. This is not the case. Apathy is the opposite of any emotion. People with true depression will most times feel sadness as a way to cope with the apathy. It's an easily felt emotion. Happiness takes more energy. The black hole of depression makes energy difficult for emotions.
Society would want the depressed to do what they can to integrate into society. And, most do. Take their meds, meditate, do the things that alleviate the issues. Society doesn't want to deal with the depressed, because society, as a whole, isn't mature enough to know how to deal with it, and too selfish to think of the person who has depression. Society wants people to be just like them because they don't have the capacity to accept other views and ways of being. They want others to change to make them feel better. Or worse, break others down to make themselves feel more superior. This is abuse. And family can be the worst culprits in this.
People will tend to shy away from those things that cause them distress and gravitate towards those things that bring them comfort. Distractions to get away from the issues. This can be a normal thing, but people with depression will tend to take it to an extreme, mainly because they are being forced into a different mindset or personality by society.
Accept the person as they are. Learn to integrate the person with depression, or any other issue such as Autism, into society as they are without changing them. Yes, help with the issues at hand and teach them to cope with the apathy. Some are unable to cope and find their own way out. One eventually implodes under the weight of the black hole and trying to put on a front for society. The real problem isn't the person with depression, but the society and their ridiculous pressures.
Medication can only relieve the symptoms. Self control also helps with symptoms. It doesn't cure depression. Depressive people need acceptance as they are, not judgment or to feel they need to be changed. Behaviors need to be controlled and changed, not the inherent personality. But not behaviors as described by society in general. The simple basics of human existence - not killing, stealing, abusing. Whether one wears white shoes after or before Easter is irrelevant.
Society has proved its inability to accept the "not in the norm", depending on what a particular society considers the norm. History as proven this in our revolts and revolutions, seeking freedom from the oppressive. We've had, in our own country, women's rights movements, black rights movements, LGBT rights movements, and a myriad of other movements that have lead to the acceptance of various differences. The rich against the poor. The city against the country. The north against the south. One religious group against another.
Why, then, is there not one for mental disorders? One would argue that Autism Speaks is doing this for Autism, when clearly it is not. It is another way for society to try to force the autistic into their limited societal mold. Being the mother of an autistic child, I know how this is.
So, then, depression is complicated. It involves so many factors and cannot be put into a small box labeled with an emotion or two.
This is not the apathy we choose to employ when disinterested in something. Nor is it the coldness a typical psychopath might use for their own goals. This is an apathy that is more akin to a black hole in space.
Generally, anyone can feel "depressed" given their situation or if they are unbalanced. A person with actual depression will be in a state of apathy. This can have outward signs of symptoms such as sadness, or even manic happiness in the case of bipolar. These emotions are not a choice. Depression is not a choice. It doesn't go away.
A person can have depression for many reasons. Their environment, especially as a child. They can have a chemical imbalance or physical damage. They can be born with an abnormality. It can be a combination of these.
The unwise and foolish would say that one should just pull oneself out of depression. This is a clear lack of understanding and knowledge on the part of that person. It is like saying, "Just stop having a cold!" Most know that a cold must run its course and is incurable. Depression is the same way.
When one is persistently sad, another might say they are depressed. As I said, sadness is merely a symptom. Many think that happiness is the opposite of sadness. This is not the case. Apathy is the opposite of any emotion. People with true depression will most times feel sadness as a way to cope with the apathy. It's an easily felt emotion. Happiness takes more energy. The black hole of depression makes energy difficult for emotions.
Society would want the depressed to do what they can to integrate into society. And, most do. Take their meds, meditate, do the things that alleviate the issues. Society doesn't want to deal with the depressed, because society, as a whole, isn't mature enough to know how to deal with it, and too selfish to think of the person who has depression. Society wants people to be just like them because they don't have the capacity to accept other views and ways of being. They want others to change to make them feel better. Or worse, break others down to make themselves feel more superior. This is abuse. And family can be the worst culprits in this.
People will tend to shy away from those things that cause them distress and gravitate towards those things that bring them comfort. Distractions to get away from the issues. This can be a normal thing, but people with depression will tend to take it to an extreme, mainly because they are being forced into a different mindset or personality by society.
Accept the person as they are. Learn to integrate the person with depression, or any other issue such as Autism, into society as they are without changing them. Yes, help with the issues at hand and teach them to cope with the apathy. Some are unable to cope and find their own way out. One eventually implodes under the weight of the black hole and trying to put on a front for society. The real problem isn't the person with depression, but the society and their ridiculous pressures.
Medication can only relieve the symptoms. Self control also helps with symptoms. It doesn't cure depression. Depressive people need acceptance as they are, not judgment or to feel they need to be changed. Behaviors need to be controlled and changed, not the inherent personality. But not behaviors as described by society in general. The simple basics of human existence - not killing, stealing, abusing. Whether one wears white shoes after or before Easter is irrelevant.
Society has proved its inability to accept the "not in the norm", depending on what a particular society considers the norm. History as proven this in our revolts and revolutions, seeking freedom from the oppressive. We've had, in our own country, women's rights movements, black rights movements, LGBT rights movements, and a myriad of other movements that have lead to the acceptance of various differences. The rich against the poor. The city against the country. The north against the south. One religious group against another.
Why, then, is there not one for mental disorders? One would argue that Autism Speaks is doing this for Autism, when clearly it is not. It is another way for society to try to force the autistic into their limited societal mold. Being the mother of an autistic child, I know how this is.
So, then, depression is complicated. It involves so many factors and cannot be put into a small box labeled with an emotion or two.
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
Minimizing
The next step in my journey.
I've learned to de-stress and let go of the past issues and people who have caused a lot of grief. I've learned to redo my diet and exercise to maximize my health. I've rid myself of negative social media sites. I don't miss any of it. The really cool thing is that the family is on board with these as well.
Next: The living space. Time to declutter. Not that I have a lot anyway. Someone once thought I was a minimalist with what I do have. However, I do have a lot of things that I really don't need or use. So, I'm going through a lot of things, like clothes and art stuff, that I don't really need.
It's too easy to get caught up in the American lifestyle of "gotta have more" and "keeping up with the Jones". It's a detrimental mentality. We become more obsessed with having things and less concerned with what really matters. People lose sight of the concepts of compassion and gratitude. All the Black Fridays and White Sales feed the gluttonous, selfish nature people have come to know in this country.
Two videos by a lovely young lady who has some great advice, not only on minimalism, but good health and well being:
I've learned to de-stress and let go of the past issues and people who have caused a lot of grief. I've learned to redo my diet and exercise to maximize my health. I've rid myself of negative social media sites. I don't miss any of it. The really cool thing is that the family is on board with these as well.
Next: The living space. Time to declutter. Not that I have a lot anyway. Someone once thought I was a minimalist with what I do have. However, I do have a lot of things that I really don't need or use. So, I'm going through a lot of things, like clothes and art stuff, that I don't really need.
It's too easy to get caught up in the American lifestyle of "gotta have more" and "keeping up with the Jones". It's a detrimental mentality. We become more obsessed with having things and less concerned with what really matters. People lose sight of the concepts of compassion and gratitude. All the Black Fridays and White Sales feed the gluttonous, selfish nature people have come to know in this country.
Two videos by a lovely young lady who has some great advice, not only on minimalism, but good health and well being:
Thursday, January 10, 2019
Age of Information
It's waning. And, about time, I think.
When I was a child, information was had by reading books, going to the library, and going to school. School, I might add, meant for the age of industrialization... but I would digress into that another time. Now, and at the dawning of this age, at the end of the age of industrialization, information is, or more accurately, should be, readily available to just about anyone with access to a computer or device and the Internet.
What age are we dawning into? The business world seems to be gravitating towards an Age of Innovation. New and fresh ideas brought to the table, rather than antiquated degrees of education based on the aforementioned industrialized schooling.
As a society, it would seem more of a shift towards the Age of Experience. Not so much the experience of life and the past, or what we have learned, but what we can experience here and now, and for the future. Sites like Facebook and Twitter are getting old and tired. Boring. I think some of us (those who haven't totally given up on social media) just check our profile pages out of habit. I will admit there are those who use such things for business purposes or to promote their political and/or religious beliefs. Even most of those are realizing their audience is dwindling.
But, that's just human nature. To want improvement, more-and-better (especially here in the good ole' USA), different. It's why people stand in line to get into the latest high-ranking movie, or to get the latest iPhone. It's how we progress in life and society. If we didn't have this drive, there would be no electricity, no cars, no Internet. Indeed, nothing that we've come to take for granted that our grandparents (those of us later in years) would not have even dreamed about.
A common thread through all this, and the main purpose of my post, is the commercialization throughout all social media sites and devices. Information, we think, is pretty much free for the taking. However, I find, an increasing number of articles, both scientific-based and opinion, that barely allow one to read the headline before a popup occurs asking for an email address to a mailing list, or an offer to buy whatever it is the site is selling. The very ones that are immune to the pop-up blocker. In some instances, one cannot back out of the popup without complying. I can only imagine walking into a library and having a number of people block my entrance with ads and requests to join a mailing list before being allowed to enter. Now, I realize, having a marketing background myself, that selling and advertising are essential to the life of a business. Does it have to be continuously in our faces? Is a side bar or header not sufficient to advertise, either for the author/seller or their supporting advertisers? It's about as aggravating to find YouTube videos with several imbedded ads throughout the video.
I remember ads in newspapers and television - the media I grew up with. Magazines with full-page, full color ads entreating one to buy this makeup, that lawn mower. Most of us would flip past such, or run to the kitchen for a snack during the Saturday morning cartoons when the commercials came on. We weren't forced as much to engage with such ads. They were more passive. Though, I will admit, toy and cereal commercials were rather enticing to us kids. And all those subscription cards that would fall out of magazines made great mini-paper airplanes and bookmarks. You really don't want to get me started on how I messed with telemarketers, and the axe I had on hand to prevent foot-in-door from (yes, I'm dating myself) door-to-door sales people.
I am a rebel. Rather than post various memes on a social media site on how aggravated I am regarding these in-your-face ads, which does no good (just as the religious/political meme crusades are ineffective) as most people ignore them, I simply make it a point not to buy whatever it is they are advertising. Liberty Mutual? Sorry, too many ads means I will not buy into your insurance. And don't get me started on the pharmaceutical ads. Those who know me know how vehemently against those I am. While I can easily "x" out of any pop up asking for my name and email (and, yes, I do have a junk email account for any such participation), those sites who require my information just to read an article I may or may not find useful will find me "back arrowing" to my search list for another article.
There are lists I subscribe to, by my choice. Sites I find useful. YouTube channels of particular interest to me and generally do not require me to sit through useless ads. People are getting smarter and feel less obligated to buy into a recurring, in-your-face ad. It will be interesting to see just how advertisers squeak their way into the new age, whatever it may be.
Conscious effort. Maybe that will be our new age. Being mindful (you just knew I'd get that in here somehow) of our surroundings. Awareness of the effect of external influences on our inner self and circle. Are we so easily led by those who sell? Or, are we in control of ourselves, seeking out what we want from those who sell, with deliberation? Acting with purpose, rather than being led by a nose-ring, and reacting? Consciously refusing to give in to the clickbait and staying focused. Advertisers rely on the ignorant.
When I was a child, information was had by reading books, going to the library, and going to school. School, I might add, meant for the age of industrialization... but I would digress into that another time. Now, and at the dawning of this age, at the end of the age of industrialization, information is, or more accurately, should be, readily available to just about anyone with access to a computer or device and the Internet.
What age are we dawning into? The business world seems to be gravitating towards an Age of Innovation. New and fresh ideas brought to the table, rather than antiquated degrees of education based on the aforementioned industrialized schooling.
As a society, it would seem more of a shift towards the Age of Experience. Not so much the experience of life and the past, or what we have learned, but what we can experience here and now, and for the future. Sites like Facebook and Twitter are getting old and tired. Boring. I think some of us (those who haven't totally given up on social media) just check our profile pages out of habit. I will admit there are those who use such things for business purposes or to promote their political and/or religious beliefs. Even most of those are realizing their audience is dwindling.
But, that's just human nature. To want improvement, more-and-better (especially here in the good ole' USA), different. It's why people stand in line to get into the latest high-ranking movie, or to get the latest iPhone. It's how we progress in life and society. If we didn't have this drive, there would be no electricity, no cars, no Internet. Indeed, nothing that we've come to take for granted that our grandparents (those of us later in years) would not have even dreamed about.
A common thread through all this, and the main purpose of my post, is the commercialization throughout all social media sites and devices. Information, we think, is pretty much free for the taking. However, I find, an increasing number of articles, both scientific-based and opinion, that barely allow one to read the headline before a popup occurs asking for an email address to a mailing list, or an offer to buy whatever it is the site is selling. The very ones that are immune to the pop-up blocker. In some instances, one cannot back out of the popup without complying. I can only imagine walking into a library and having a number of people block my entrance with ads and requests to join a mailing list before being allowed to enter. Now, I realize, having a marketing background myself, that selling and advertising are essential to the life of a business. Does it have to be continuously in our faces? Is a side bar or header not sufficient to advertise, either for the author/seller or their supporting advertisers? It's about as aggravating to find YouTube videos with several imbedded ads throughout the video.
I remember ads in newspapers and television - the media I grew up with. Magazines with full-page, full color ads entreating one to buy this makeup, that lawn mower. Most of us would flip past such, or run to the kitchen for a snack during the Saturday morning cartoons when the commercials came on. We weren't forced as much to engage with such ads. They were more passive. Though, I will admit, toy and cereal commercials were rather enticing to us kids. And all those subscription cards that would fall out of magazines made great mini-paper airplanes and bookmarks. You really don't want to get me started on how I messed with telemarketers, and the axe I had on hand to prevent foot-in-door from (yes, I'm dating myself) door-to-door sales people.
I am a rebel. Rather than post various memes on a social media site on how aggravated I am regarding these in-your-face ads, which does no good (just as the religious/political meme crusades are ineffective) as most people ignore them, I simply make it a point not to buy whatever it is they are advertising. Liberty Mutual? Sorry, too many ads means I will not buy into your insurance. And don't get me started on the pharmaceutical ads. Those who know me know how vehemently against those I am. While I can easily "x" out of any pop up asking for my name and email (and, yes, I do have a junk email account for any such participation), those sites who require my information just to read an article I may or may not find useful will find me "back arrowing" to my search list for another article.
There are lists I subscribe to, by my choice. Sites I find useful. YouTube channels of particular interest to me and generally do not require me to sit through useless ads. People are getting smarter and feel less obligated to buy into a recurring, in-your-face ad. It will be interesting to see just how advertisers squeak their way into the new age, whatever it may be.
Conscious effort. Maybe that will be our new age. Being mindful (you just knew I'd get that in here somehow) of our surroundings. Awareness of the effect of external influences on our inner self and circle. Are we so easily led by those who sell? Or, are we in control of ourselves, seeking out what we want from those who sell, with deliberation? Acting with purpose, rather than being led by a nose-ring, and reacting? Consciously refusing to give in to the clickbait and staying focused. Advertisers rely on the ignorant.
Monday, January 7, 2019
Embracing health
Yes. Embracing health. In all its forms. The best way I can describe this is how Dr. Dean Ornish promotes his philosophy:
All of this is important. No diet, no exercise program, no religion, and no social platform (media, list of rules, etc) will do it for you. All of these have to come from within and lived as a lifestyle. And all of these are integrated with each other. Side note: I've preordered their new book and should get it tomorrow! Undo It!: How Simple Lifestyle Changes Can Reverse Most Chronic Diseases.
How am I accomplishing this?
Eating: I've adopted the Whole Foods, Plant based diet and have gone cold turkey on it. I've encountered flack from "friends" and family (not my immediate family, they've come on board as well) who believe mainstream media and memes for their way of life. I have found this to work. It gives me more energy, better health, and I believe will prevent the chronic diseases perpetuated by the standard American diet. I am vehemently opposed to GMOs (not to say natural means of hybridization), factory farms, deforestation, and the misuse of pharmaceuticals (including commercialization). I know that bad eating leads to disease, which is supported by the meat, egg, and dairy industries, who in turn support and control Congress, and in their turn, favor those businesses and special interest groups such as the pharmaceutical and health insurance industries. How we eat not only affects our own health, but our nation's economy, and the world as a whole environmentally. Want a clue as to who is telling the truth? Look at who funds the studies, as well as how big, encompassing, and comprehensive the studies are. Guide to the whole foods-plant based diet
Moving: Even with a 2-week break from the gym, I wholeheartedly embrace the weight lifting and running regime I've adopted. I train; I don't' work out. Training is a more serious approach to physical health care by moving. And, yeah, the fam is on board with this as well. And, I dance. Do what you love that incorporates movement. It also helps in reversing things like osteoporosis and depression, as well as raise the metabolism which helps with burning calories.
Stress: I found, lately, that one of my biggest stressors was social media. Too many opinions, and too many people who feel they have to impose their beliefs and opinions on me. It seemed to me they were just looking for an outlet to vent their frustrations and pin their mainstream media/meme way of life on me. No more. I've killed off my Facebook and Twitter accounts. I also only follow scientifically-based ways of living and thinking. I don't believe in religion, but adopt many of the Buddhist ways such as mindfulness and meditation. I don't bother myself with trivial bullshit nor people who try to bring it into my life. When it comes to defending my peace, I am quite a force to be reckoned with. And I don't have a problem at all with completely banning toxic people from my life. I reject most of the American way of life: commercialism, entertainment, and ways of living that are clearly unhealthy. You can see from my first posts on this blog just how much stress I've been through, and how it caused me to get stuck in survival mode living. I love humor. In short, I engage myself with positive people and ways.
I also found that I was sinking deeper and deeper into gaming and those social networks. I found that to be horribly detrimental to my mental and physical well-being. The occasional game is not harmful. However, spending hours on end playing a mindless game, especially with people who are determined to be negative and even abusive, is not the most intelligent way to spend one's time. I've found so many more things to do that bring actual joy to my life and have reduced a great amount of stress.
Love: I have my family. My wonderful husband and teenager who support and love me unconditionally. I believe in quality, not quantity. Love is not allowing others to run roughshod over me. I've had enough of psychopaths, narcissists, and manipulators, religious freaks, and abusers. My friends are those who accept me just as I am and don't try to change me. I honor and love myself too much to allow myself to be infected by bad people. I surround myself with good, supportive, loving people. I am also seeking out my "tribe". Those who are my sisters and brothers in the lifestyle I choose to live. I help others, give to those in need (really in need, not some group seeking to make a profit at the expense of those in need), and am generally kind to most everyone. I am not a doormat.
Self love. This is the most important aspect in the love/support area, in my opinion. Without it, one cannot truly accept love and support from others, nor can one have a healthy relationship with others. Self love means that one accepts oneself for who they are, and makes the necessary changes, regardless of how difficult or time consuming, to ensure one's own physical and mental health. It means shunning the excuses, negativity, and bad habits and refusing to live in a bad lifestyle. It mean banning toxic people from one's life that just want to bring others down to their level to make themselves feel better and/or superior.
I have my own spiritual and political beliefs. I don't always feel it is necessary to share them, or try to convince the general populace that what I think or feel is right... for everyone. I don't engage in the mudslinging and the abuse that follows it. I live my life - for me - not to please anyone else or to be accepted in any group. Don't like it? Move along.
Finally, just found this video. Interesting to note, the Keto diet put me in the hospital for a week.
 |
| https://www.ornish.com/ Podcast with Dr. and Mrs. Ornish: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGcU9wy8_Dw |
How am I accomplishing this?
Eating: I've adopted the Whole Foods, Plant based diet and have gone cold turkey on it. I've encountered flack from "friends" and family (not my immediate family, they've come on board as well) who believe mainstream media and memes for their way of life. I have found this to work. It gives me more energy, better health, and I believe will prevent the chronic diseases perpetuated by the standard American diet. I am vehemently opposed to GMOs (not to say natural means of hybridization), factory farms, deforestation, and the misuse of pharmaceuticals (including commercialization). I know that bad eating leads to disease, which is supported by the meat, egg, and dairy industries, who in turn support and control Congress, and in their turn, favor those businesses and special interest groups such as the pharmaceutical and health insurance industries. How we eat not only affects our own health, but our nation's economy, and the world as a whole environmentally. Want a clue as to who is telling the truth? Look at who funds the studies, as well as how big, encompassing, and comprehensive the studies are. Guide to the whole foods-plant based diet
 |
| From the CDC https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/about/costs/index.htm Most every chronic disease is not only preventable, they're reversible. Here are 18 doctors (among many) who have proven a proper way of eating works: https://nutriciously.com/vegan-doctors/ |
Moving: Even with a 2-week break from the gym, I wholeheartedly embrace the weight lifting and running regime I've adopted. I train; I don't' work out. Training is a more serious approach to physical health care by moving. And, yeah, the fam is on board with this as well. And, I dance. Do what you love that incorporates movement. It also helps in reversing things like osteoporosis and depression, as well as raise the metabolism which helps with burning calories.
Stress: I found, lately, that one of my biggest stressors was social media. Too many opinions, and too many people who feel they have to impose their beliefs and opinions on me. It seemed to me they were just looking for an outlet to vent their frustrations and pin their mainstream media/meme way of life on me. No more. I've killed off my Facebook and Twitter accounts. I also only follow scientifically-based ways of living and thinking. I don't believe in religion, but adopt many of the Buddhist ways such as mindfulness and meditation. I don't bother myself with trivial bullshit nor people who try to bring it into my life. When it comes to defending my peace, I am quite a force to be reckoned with. And I don't have a problem at all with completely banning toxic people from my life. I reject most of the American way of life: commercialism, entertainment, and ways of living that are clearly unhealthy. You can see from my first posts on this blog just how much stress I've been through, and how it caused me to get stuck in survival mode living. I love humor. In short, I engage myself with positive people and ways.
 |
| From Star Trek (2009) |
I also found that I was sinking deeper and deeper into gaming and those social networks. I found that to be horribly detrimental to my mental and physical well-being. The occasional game is not harmful. However, spending hours on end playing a mindless game, especially with people who are determined to be negative and even abusive, is not the most intelligent way to spend one's time. I've found so many more things to do that bring actual joy to my life and have reduced a great amount of stress.
Love: I have my family. My wonderful husband and teenager who support and love me unconditionally. I believe in quality, not quantity. Love is not allowing others to run roughshod over me. I've had enough of psychopaths, narcissists, and manipulators, religious freaks, and abusers. My friends are those who accept me just as I am and don't try to change me. I honor and love myself too much to allow myself to be infected by bad people. I surround myself with good, supportive, loving people. I am also seeking out my "tribe". Those who are my sisters and brothers in the lifestyle I choose to live. I help others, give to those in need (really in need, not some group seeking to make a profit at the expense of those in need), and am generally kind to most everyone. I am not a doormat.
Self love. This is the most important aspect in the love/support area, in my opinion. Without it, one cannot truly accept love and support from others, nor can one have a healthy relationship with others. Self love means that one accepts oneself for who they are, and makes the necessary changes, regardless of how difficult or time consuming, to ensure one's own physical and mental health. It means shunning the excuses, negativity, and bad habits and refusing to live in a bad lifestyle. It mean banning toxic people from one's life that just want to bring others down to their level to make themselves feel better and/or superior.
I have my own spiritual and political beliefs. I don't always feel it is necessary to share them, or try to convince the general populace that what I think or feel is right... for everyone. I don't engage in the mudslinging and the abuse that follows it. I live my life - for me - not to please anyone else or to be accepted in any group. Don't like it? Move along.
Finally, just found this video. Interesting to note, the Keto diet put me in the hospital for a week.
Saturday, January 5, 2019
Happy New Year
And, a grand one it is turning out to be. A few changes made for the better and life has already shown improvement. No resolutions. Just plans and good change.
I've already changed my lifestyle eating and exercise to be far more healthier, and it's working. Kidlet and I are still planning to do the mud run in May and training for it. I also got my sweet paws on this baby:
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| Get it at Amazon |
This is an Instant Pot. It does so many things, including pressure cook. I got the 8 qt one almost half price. Very good start to the year. I also gave up on social media. I didn't realize just how much stress it was causing me. I don't miss it.
Hub and I spent the weekend making shelves for the kitchen. I needed a space for my large Kitchenaid mixer. The result was getting more space in the cupboard for my cookware and the food out where I can get it. It's part of my kitchen redo, which is greatly inspired by Ryoya Takashima of Peaceful Cuisine.
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| My new storage area |
The fun thing is, I get to relearn how to cook. I've acquired a number of cookbooks and have watched several videos on YouTube on how to cook healthy, whole foods, at least, what I've not used before. Such as: Tofu, Tempeh, and several of the grains and beans. I didn't realize how much easier it was to cook whole foods, and far less clean up. We also spent some time going into town and checking out the stores purported to carry better foods. Sprouts was okay. I have no use for Trader Joe's as it was nothing but a Yuppy grocery store, overpriced. Whole Foods is difficult to get to and also overpriced. I found I can get just about everything I need, that I can't get from my local grocery store, at Amazon and other places online.
My gut is still adjusting. More about how what you eat affects your gut, which, in turn, affects your brain and body functions, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3iOlRUQkrw. Yet, I have had more energy and clearer thinking, and noticed my skin is clearing up. Hub says I'm a lot calmer, less stressed, and speaking better. Oh, and an excellent podcast on healthy eating:
I noticed I don't miss the dairy (allergic anyway) and meats or eggs. I've found substitutes that work well and taste fantastic. Even hub and kidlet are coming on board with this, though not as quickly as I am.
It's all good.
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| Interesting to note: the USDA MyPlate (1992) was predicated on this Power Plate (1985). https://p.widencdn.net/b5dsmh/16341-NTR-Power-Plate-Booklet-Update |
Friday, December 28, 2018
WFPB...
That is to say, whole food, plant based. I've spent most of December researching it. And, have adopted it into my lifestyle. It just makes sense to me.
So, I've been eating a whole foods, plant based diet for a few days now, and, already, am feeling better. I've bought several food items including brown rice, beans of different kinds, fruits, veg, nuts, and have made hummus. So far, it's fantastic and so much easier than how I've prepared foods in the past.
Why? Again, it makes sense. Not only for my own health, but for the environment and the animals. I don't like the cruelty of factory farms, nor what they're doing to our earth. And, I've found you can build muscle on this kind of diet!
18 doctors who promote this way of eating: https://nutriciously.com/vegan-doctors/
It's a lifestyle, not really a diet. Because diets don't work. So, on to reading my new WFPB cookbooks while munching on my homemade pita bread and hummus and medjool dates. Good stuff!
So, I've been eating a whole foods, plant based diet for a few days now, and, already, am feeling better. I've bought several food items including brown rice, beans of different kinds, fruits, veg, nuts, and have made hummus. So far, it's fantastic and so much easier than how I've prepared foods in the past.
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| My newest cookbooks |
18 doctors who promote this way of eating: https://nutriciously.com/vegan-doctors/
It's a lifestyle, not really a diet. Because diets don't work. So, on to reading my new WFPB cookbooks while munching on my homemade pita bread and hummus and medjool dates. Good stuff!
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