Mary Stevenson – Age 73….”Earth Angel is not going to do it.”

I just knew when I bumped into Mary Stevenson with a sign that read, “Occupy Port Jefferson” that I had to interview her for my blog.  Even though it was a bitter cold January day, I could see a woman full of warmth and vitality with a definite sense of purpose.  I knew that learning her longevity secrets would be beneficial to my readers so I asked her if I could spend an hour or so with her.  Here is what I learned….

Mary - Age 73

Background Information - Mary is 73 years old and lives in Long Island, New York.  She’s been married for 53 years, has three children and three grandchildren.   Mary is retired from a job she “loved” and spends most of her days as a political activist and doing community service as well as taking very good care of herself.  Mary said it is important to be physically active as well as mentally active.  Here is her advice to you…

1.       Investigate – Mary says it is important to be politically active.  She spends several hours a day reading and educating herself about politics.  In addition, she has joined a local organization   (http://front.moveon.org/) which conducts monthly meetings as well as weekly protests about the current state of government affairs.   She also attended Occupy Wall Street in Manhattan.  Mary is very outspoken against the Keystone XL Pipeline as well as other environmental issues.  Her passion and enthusiasm was very transparent to me.  “Future generations are depending on us”….she said.

2.      Eat Healthy – “Until something happens, people don’t listen.   It is important to do your own thing despite people not liking it.”  Mary tries to eat as healthy as she can doing what she believes is in her best interest including growing her own organic vegetables which she freezes for use over the summer months.  She stresses how important it is not to smoke or drink soda.  She is not a vegetarian but tries to limit meat.  The meat she purchases is pasture raised or of high quality.  She tries to serve as a role model for her family but finds that people usually do what they are comfortable with.  “It’s important to stick with what you believe in.”  She was told by her doctor that her HDL is higher than her LDL, which is rare and that she would live to 105!

3.      Listen to Rap Music – Mary walks with her dog every day for 40 minutes, even in inclement weather.  She also tries to dance as much as she can….even in the car!  She frequently puts on rap music so she can “bop” around the car as she’s driving.  “Earth Angel is NOT going to do it,”  she said.

4.      Get Involved with your Community  - Mary is a volunteer at Kent Animal Shelter.  She enjoys helping the animals find a home.  Mary is also a member of the Mount Sinai Garden Club where she has opened up her house to summer garden tours.   She stresses the importance of giving back to the community in which you live. 

5.      Get into Nature – Get outside!  Aside from gardening, Mary is a member of the Sierra Club and has attended some of their weekend outings.  However, one of her favorite things to do is feed the animals in her own backyard.  Mary says, “It is fun to see deer and squirrels eating my food.”

I certainly learned a lot from Mary Stevenson.  It doesn’t matter what age you are, life is what you make of it.  You can retire and sit in the house and do nothing all day or you can get involved in politics and your community and make a difference.  It is your choice........

Next......

All Week Long The Apple Sat.....

On January 4, 2012 I purchased a bunch of organic Honey Crisp Apples from Whole Foods.  The sticker said they were Organic #93283, stamped with the USDA sticker and made in the USA.  The following day one of the apples was cut in half and left on the counter.  A few hours later, I noticed that the apple was not turning brown.  I thought it was really strange especially since that childhood memory of having to eat an apple really fast for fear of it turning brown was still in the forefront of my mind.  The apple of yesteryear would turn brown very quickly at room temperature unless doused with lemon juice.  So…I got out my camera and took a picture and decided to observe the apple (left out at room temperature) over a period of time to see when it would brown.

Picture taken on the evening of 1/5/12 - 8 hours after the apple was cut

What has happened to our foods!  In the good-old-days, apples used to oxidize.  My brother-in-law suggested that maybe something was on the knife and that is why it wasn’t turning brown.  He suggested I get a clean knife and cut the other side and continue to watch to see if it turns brown.  So I did….

Apple picture taken on 1/9/12, after five days of sitting out at room temperature

Fresh cut on back of apple - 1/9/12

Now it’s time for me to play detective.  According to Scienceray.com, once an apple is cut into it should quickly turn brown.  A process called oxidation which is caused by a specific enzyme called polyphenol oxidase.  This enzyme exists INSIDE the cell of the apple.  When the cell is broken, (i.e. when it is cut) it releases the enzyme which then reacts to the oxygen in the air causing the apple to turn brown.  The other piece of evidence I need to consider is the meaning of the USDA stamp.  According to the government’s website, the USDA stamp assures that the apple was not grown with any antibiotics, hormones, pesticides, irradiation or bioengineering.

"Sherlock Christine"

What I can deduce from the above mentioned evidence is that the cellular structure of the apple has somehow changed significantly from the apple of 30 years ago.  Will our bodies recognize this apple as food?  How scary!  Michael Pollen has a food rule that states “Do not eat any food that does not rot.”  In a million years, would I ever guess that statement could include an apple! 



Apple picture taken on 1/16/12, 11 days of sitting out at room temperature




Fresh cut of apple, sitting out at room temperature for 7 days



 I hate to pick on Whole Foods, because that is where I shop and I am very grateful for all they have done in the health food movement, but I cannot overlook the fact that they may need better quality controls.  Let this serve as a warning to them to be careful of the product they bring into their stores. 

Needless to say, I won’t be purchasing these apples anymore.  In fact, I put the rest of them in a bag and will return them to the store with this blog post.  Hopefully, they will look into it and offer some type of explanation…..

All week on the table the apple sat.

I had placed it upon my ruffled mat.

It was given to me my cousin Max.

But it never turned brown because it was made out of wax! ~ L.R.

References

http://scienceray.com/chemistry/the-oxidation-of-an-apple/

http://usda-fda.com/articles/organic.htm

Inner Beauty Workshops classes are currently underway.  Please email me at christine@innerbeautyworkshops.com for a list of upcoming classes

Eat What Becomes You……

"Eat What Becomes You"





Each and every one of us is responsible for the health of our own body.  I am responsible for mine, you are responsible for yours.  We keep our bodies functioning properly by giving them  enough oxygen, water and food so we are well nourished.  However, the same food can have different effects on different people.  Therefore, we must decide for ourselves what feels good to us and what doesn’t.   This being the case, under no circumstance should someone else tell you what to eat.   Just because it works for them doesn’t mean it will work for you.  Let me clarify what I mean by that.

“Preach not to others what they should eat, but eat as becomes you, and be silent.”  ~ Epictetus (55 AD-135 AD)

Each one of us is unique.  We have different blood compositions, different DNA and we were raised in different environments.  Our ancestors being from all over the globe!  This being said, we shouldn’t all be eating the exact same thing.  When the newest diet craze is introduced, you should know immediately to avoid it.  Why?  Because while you may initially lose weight, it isn’t a diet designed especially for you.  Over the long run, it will cause more harm than good.  When someone hands you an exact list of foods and tells you to follow the list “to the letter” you should run in the other direction.   This is because that list of foods is their “opinion” on what they think you should eat guised under so called “science.”  Please don’t place your life under someone else’s “opinion” because it can be outright dangerous.

 Food is what gives our body life and vitality.  It is our fuel.   Healthy eating is not a “diet” it is a lifestyle.  It is the way one must live in order to have a healthy body as well as mind.  It is the way one must eat to prevent disease and or illness.

What the Inner Beauty Workshops program does is teach you to avoid substances added to foods that cause the body harm, for example, chemicals, refined foods and GMO’s.  Once you completely understand what has happened to our foods and know how to circumvent the problems, you can focus on eating foods that “become you.”  Only you can decide based on how your body feels whether or not you should be eating meat and/or milk and/or grain.  What is the recipe to determine what “becomes you?”  It is trial, error and experiment mixed with self control, determination and willpower.  It’s time to thrive!  It’s time to discover what “becomes you!”

…..and now I’m silent……

Inner Beauty Workshops classes are currently underway.  Please email me at christine@innerbeautyworkshops.com for a list of upcoming classes

The Philosophy of Change

When was the last time you actually looked at yourself in a mirror?  I know…you do it all the time when you wash your hands, brush your teeth or comb your hair.  Catching a glimpse of yourself in the mirror doesn’t mean LOOKING at yourself in the mirror.  I want you to EVALUATE yourself.  First, step in front of a full length mirror with your clothes on and write down what you see. 

Are you happy with the way you look?  Does your hair have body and shine?  Do you look tired?  Do you have weight to lose?  Now I want you to take off all your clothes and really take a good look at yourself.  Are you smiling or wincing like you are in pain?  If you are not happy with your own reflection, ask yourself how you can make improvements.  If you find you are just jotting down a few items and are in basic good health, then great.  Continue what you are doing.  If you find you are writing a long list, it’s time to re-evaluate your lifestyle and make permanent changes.

The Philosophy of Change can be defined as the ability to make adjustments or change when one doesn’t like the effects of their current lifestyle.  We must be aware of cause and effect.  The way you look and feel currently is just as good as its effects show. 

If you don’t like the effect, change the cause.

 As the saying goes, it’s insanity to continue to do the same thing and expect a different result.  If you can barely look at yourself in the mirror, it’s time to make some lifestyle changes.  I can already tell what you are thinking….”It’s too hard!  I don’t have the time!  I don’t know what to do!”  You are also probably wondering…”What program would be good?  Who should I listen to?”  The place to start is to do some research.  Never underestimate the power of your brain!  Your brain has the power to reason and use logic.  The more you use it and fine tune it, the better it will work for you.  If a particular program or idea becomes of interest to you, do your own evaluation to come up with what may be a better choice for you.  Then try it!  If you are still not getting the results you seek, try again.  Did you know Thomas Edison tried and failed 10,000 times before he discovered the light bulb?  Keep trying!  Persistence is part of the package as well.  Don’t ever give up.  Don’t let fear get in the way, just make those lifestyle changes!

The philosophy of change can apply to every goal you ascertain.  We have the ability to change what we are doing each and every day.  Close the door to the path that is leaving you unhappy and don’t be afraid to head into uncharted waters.  You may get hit by a few waves but with determination and persistence you will learn how to master the sea……




 

Me trying to master my dog...or maybe the dog is trying to master me!





 

New Year’s Resolution – “Black” out the old, “Color in the new”

Happy New Year!

How would you like to join me in making a New Year's Resolution?  This year (2012) I have decided to no longer purchase any articles of clothing in a solid black color.  Why you are probably wondering?  Here is the definition of black:

Black – Lacking hue or brightness, characterized by absence of light, enveloped in darkness.

 Black clothing, a sign of mourning…..

My grandmother NEVER wore anything black unless she was heading to a funeral.  When I was a teenager, I once wore a solid black top to her house.  She didn’t like it and told me that “black was not an everyday color.”  My mother doesn’t wear anything black either.  She has NEVER purchased a black article of clothing and she is 74 years old!  However, she does own a black coat and boots but that is only because I purchased them for her as gifts.  I don’t know how I fell into the trap of purchasing black clothing because it wasn’t a color I wore much as a young adult.  Now, when I span my closet, the dominate colors I see are black & gray with only a spattering of color.  The clothes in my closet look drab and it doesn’t make me want to get dressed.  I would rather stay in my pajamas since they are usually bright and colorful. 

Say "Goodbye" to solid black this year

We should always strive to look our best.  Every article of clothing we wear either improves our appearance or detracts from it.  Clothes provide a background for our personalities.  They say a lot about you and how you feel about yourself.  Clothing gives us confidence! (I knew there was a justification to my shopping habit besides stimulating the economy!)

Why are we purchasing black when there is a rainbow of color to select from?  Although modern industry has given us numerous shades and hues, there are three primary colors from which virtually all other colors are formed.  These are red, yellow and blue.  If any two of these colors are mixed, the resulting color will be the complement of the remaining color.  For example:

·         Blue & yellow mixed form green, which is the complement of red.

·         Yellow & red mixed form orange, which is the complement of blue.

·         Red & blue mixed form purple, which is the complement of yellow.

Gray is formed by mixing black and white or mixing all three colors: red, yellow & blue.

Also

·         Blue, green and violet are cool colors which signify dignity, peace and deliberation

·         Red, orange and yellow are warm colors which signify action, cheerfulness and energy.

When you wake up in the morning, why not select colors based on your mood or what you are doing for the day.  If you are attending an event, you may want to wear something blue or green.  If you have a date, you may want to select something red.  If you are a man, how about selecting a brown, tan or gray suit? 

Please note that I am talking about SOLID BLACK, which is O-U-T!  Black can be an effective color with touches of other colors like red, blue or yellow.  Black is also very grounding and a touch of it looks great in an outfit because it gives your eyes a rest.   We all have the advantage of selecting our own clothes.  We get to decide what colors look good on us and what colors don’t.  This is a fun New Year’s Resolution!  When you shop, look more closely at what you are purchasing.  Don’t just pull any item off the rack and purchase it, evaluate it first.  Try it on and see how it makes you feel.  Ask yourself, does it enhance your complexion or detract from it?  Does it brighten your face?  Does it look slimming?  (Pay close attention to the cut of the garment.) What is your general mood when wearing the item?  Sometimes I head to the dressing room with 7 dresses and end up purchasing 1, if I’m lucky.  I don’t settle.  I look for what I think looks the very best on me.  It can be frustrating at times in searching for the right article of clothing but the extra effort is worth it because you will feel like a million bucks when stepping out!

 Join me this year in wearing color!!

Let's toast "color" in 2012!

REFERENCES

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/black

Inner Beauty Workshops classes are beginning January 3^rd.  Please email me for details or visit www.innerbeautyworkshops.com