“I’m on the young side of old age,” Frank Myers….Age 74

All four of my grandparents are deceased.  How I wish I can magically make them appear, even for a day, just to ask them some questions.  For they hold my wisdom.  They hold the keys or the answers to my life’s questions.  If you are lucky enough to have a grandparent(s) alive, run to them and just hear what they have to say about life.  What you will learn will astound you.

Today, most of our elderly generation are on some kind of medication.  In fact, it is my understanding that 1 out of 2 Americans is on some type of prescription medication.  Unfortunately, side effects from long-term medications can affect the cognitive abilities of the brain.  It is becoming increasingly important to extract vital “words of wisdom” from our elderly population before the information is forever lost.  Therefore, I will be presenting a series of blog articles containing the interviews of both men and women in the richness of their later years, ages 70-100.  Did I ever tell you how much I love my job?   I get to be privy to such endearing, thought-provoking, inspirational and meaningful information…and I get to pass it all along to you…my readers.  I am in no way judging or editing the information but presenting it to you as I heard it.

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“I’m on the young side of old age,” is what I was told when I asked Frank Myers how old he was for this interview.  The quote blew me away.  It’s important to always view yourself as young, no matter what age you are.  While you may look in the mirror and see a different face than you had thirty years ago, you can always be young on the inside.  Fostering a positive attitude is an important aspect of aging.  And….a little bit of a sense of humor helps too!  

About Frank – I had the pleasure of interviewing Frank Myers at his office at SUNY Stony Brook.  Frank is SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor Emeritus of political science.  I bet you’re wondering why he has an office at the University if he is retired.  He retired, after 47 years of teaching, to help take care of his wife of 54 years, who recently died of brain cancer.  Frank is now hired at the same university as an adjunct.  His life’s purpose has always been to teach and he loves everything about it.  Teaching allows him the freedom to set his own agenda.  It allows him to keep busy and has enabled him to have a good life.

Frank’s Tips –

1.        It is important to learn to like the things that are good for you. – Frank models his diet after the Mediterranean food pyramid.  He limits red meat, opting for mostly chicken and fish.  He eats lots of fruits and vegetables and limits sweets and alcohol.  Franks uses lots and lots of olive oil, opting to use it on an English muffin for breakfast instead of butter or margarine.  Frank has made himself the exact same lunch for the past thirty years: V8 juice, plain non-fat yogurt, 2 pieces of fresh fruit and a piece of bread usually wholegrain.  He didn’t like the yogurt so much in the beginning, but has “learned” to like it because he knows how good it is for him.  This lunch, he states, keeps him going from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm without getting sleepy.  Tip: You may not like everything that is considered “good” for you, but give it a chance, because over time you will learn to like it. 

2.       Teach your body who is boss – Your mind knows what’s best for the body.  Frank walks one mile each day to and from work.  He advocates walking as the best exercise for the body.  It is important, he says, that you keep up with the walking even if it is bitter cold outside.  It is important to show your body who is the boss.  Tip: This is a typical example of mind over matter.  You may have to exert yourself, but you will be much better off in the long run.  Who’s the boss?

3.        You have to live and enjoy things – …even if this means eating an occasional sweet.  He enjoys eating sweets but does so in moderation.  Other enjoyments in his life are his two daughters and three grandchildren.  In addition, he enjoys cooking a good meal.  Tip: It is important to find the things in life that give you pleasure and joy.  You need not do them in excess, but rather in a way that brings you to the point of happiness and fulfillment.

4.       Practice good hygiene –He believes flossing your teeth is essential to general health.  If you do not floss at night, bacteria can build up on the food particles that are stuck between your teeth.   You will inhale these bacteria all night as you sleep into the back of your throat and down to your lungs.  This will weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to colds and viruses.  He strongly recommends flossing your teeth every night.  Tip: It is important, no matter what age, to take good care of yourself and practice good hygiene.  Not taking care of yourself can lead to depression.  It helps to develop a routine and stick to it.

5.       “The most interesting things in life are sex and the 18^th century” – This quote was made by a writer named Brigid Brophy.  It speaks of love and romance.  Frank is absolutely captivated by the 18^th century.  He loves to read about it.  In addition, he loves classical music from the time period such as Beethoven , Gluck and especially Mozart.  Frank adds, “Like so many others, I have a special attachment to Mozart.  He’s really been a big part of my life.”  It brings him such inner peace to go to an opera, listen to classical music or read about this time period.  Tip: Find something you enjoy that soothes your soul.  It can be something you do with other people or something you can do alone.  Music has the power to inspire you, to soothe your soul and mind.  So just take those old records off the shelf………

Frank’s Words of Wisdom – “The key to life is balance.  Human beings must learn how to balance the body’s need for consistency with the mind’s need for variety.”  Our bodies need consistency and routine.  What that means is doing the same things at roughly the same time every day such as eating, sleeping, exercising, taking vitamins.  However, your mind and your spirit need variety.  If we don’t give the mind variety, we can become a bore.  We need to find things that keep us perpetually interested in life such as socializing with family and friends, reading books, listening to music, etc.  This will give us a positive outlook toward life.  It becomes a challenge when the body cries for consistency and the mind cries for variety, such as when you travel.  The mind is very happy when traveling because it gets to take in the beauty and richness of a new area.  However, the body may not be so happy because you may be eating things you wouldn’t normally eat or sleeping off schedule.  Frank says it’s crucial to find the balance between the two.  This is the key to life……………

MORE INTERVIEWS TO COME!!

Nutrisystem on the Go!

One of my best friends, Cindy, recently visited me from Florida.  Cindy has put herself on a “diet” to lose weight.  This so-called diet called Nutrisystem consists of eating boxed food that the company provides.  Cindy had to take a bag full of these items on the airplane.  She then rented a car and drove to my house.   Of course, I was so happy to see my friend but what in the world were those boxes of food in her trunk? 

I wanted to take my friend to a nice organic deli, which is part of an excellent health food store.  Cindy insisted on bringing her box of Creamy Caesar Salad Dressing with Diced Chicken.  She informed me that she just needed to buy a salad and would put the diced chicken and dressing over it.  Am I missing something?  I thought chicken had to be refrigerated?  This chicken came in a pouch with modified food starches, salt and sodium phosphates.*   The salad dressing consisted of over 40 ingredients!  I couldn’t believe how long the list was!  Included in those ingredients were refined soybean oil, sodium benzoate, caramel color (contains sulfites) and calcium disodium EDTA.**  In her haste to get the box out of the trunk, Cindy accidently left her pocketbook with the car key in the trunk.  Now she had NO KEY, NO CAR, NO MONEY....JUST A BOX OF CHEMICALLY PRESERVED CHICKEN AND SALAD DRESSING!

Needless to say, she had to get a locksmith to jack open her car so she could get out her pocketbook and key….lol.  I’m so glad my friend had a sense of humor!

The next morning at breakfast, she took out of her trunk a packet of Nutrisystem Chocolate Chip Scone ”naturally and artificially flavored”.  In addition to eating her scone, she must eat some fruit and an egg.  I asked her, “Why can’t you just have the fruit and egg?”  She told me she must eat the scone.  “It’s part of the diet.”   WHAT???????!!!!!  How is eating a scone that contains sodium carboxymethylcellulose, natural and artificial flavors and potassium sorbate*** (among other ingredients), part of a healthy diet?  Am I missing something?

I had to go online to check out the company website.  How do people lose weight eating pouches of food preserved with chemicals?  The Nutrisystem program consists of meal plans that teach you what, when and how to eat.  Of course, you order these perfectly portioned meals from them.  The basic 4 week plan that contains auto delivery costs roughly $240.00.  That’s right…it will cost you nearly $250.00 for a month’s supply of food preserved with chemicals.  Yet, people do lose weight!  Why?  I’ll tell you.  Because there are only TWO raviolis in the cheese and spinach ravioli and meat sauce box!  That’s right…TWO!  I would lose weight too if I just ate two raviolis for dinner!  The portion size may make you lose weight but does not teach you how to make a healthy choice.

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*Modified food starch – Synthetic; starch treated with chemicals, some of which are toxic, may be GE.

*Sodium phosphates- Buffer; Believed safe in foods at low levels, contact can cause skin irritation, erythema, blisters

**Refined soybean oil – Genetically Modified

**Sodium benzoate – Preservative; Asthma, hives, hay fever, contact dermatitis, mount and skin irritation, hyperactivity, cardiovascular, liver, skin, gastrointestinal, kidney and neurotoxicity.

**Caramel color – Coloring; May affect reproduction, liver and stomach hyperactivity, caused blood toxicity and convulsions in animal tests.

** Calcium disodium EDTA-Preservative; Muscle cramps, blood in the urine, intestinal upset, kidney damage, mineral imbalance, chromosome damage, may increase the uptake of heavy metals, may affect liver and reproduction.

*** Sodium carboxymethylcellulose-Thickner; Poorly absorbed, flatulence; large amounts can cause diarrhea and abdominal cramps, caused cancer and tumors in animal studies.

***Potassium sorbate- Preservative; Allergic reactions, asthma, eye and skin irritation, behavioral problems.

REFERENCES

Statham, Bill. What’s in your food?, Philadelphia, PA: Running Press Book Publishers 2006

(This is my opinion, protected by my First Amendment right to Freedom of Speech)

IBW Book Club Selection - Many Lives, Many Masters, Dr.Brian L. Weiss

I know I recommended to you to read another book so please continue in reading that one.  Unfortunately or fortunately, I ordered the book, Many Lives, Many Masters and made the mistake of reading the first paragraph:  “I know that there is a reason for everything.  Perhaps at the moment that an event occurs we have neither the insight nor the foresight to comprehend the reason, but with time and patience it will come to light.”  Once I read that, I was hooked and could not put the book down.  I read while I was eating, cooking, in the bath, I just couldn’t stop.  I finished the book in three days.  However, it would have taken me less time if I wasn’t so busy.

The book is written by a prominent and well-educated psychiatrist named Brian L. Weiss.   Dr. Weiss obtained his M.D. from Yale University School of Medicine and was Chief of Psychiatry at Miami hospital.  It is a true story based on his experience from hypnotizing a young women patient named Catherine.  The woman remembered past lives as well as information she obtained in between her many lives.  Yes, this is a book on reincarnation but also the evolution of the soul.  Dr. Weiss taped recorded his sessions, and the book contains a word for word recount including messages from many “Masters” that appear.  Needless to say, it was riveting and very interesting.

I’m not saying I completely believe in the paranormal.  However, this book certainly raised my eyebrows.  I do believe that there are many things in life that defy explanation.  Not everything can fit into a double blind science experiment.  It is a well known fact that we human beings probably only use about 5 percent of our brain capacity.  Therefore, it is possible that there are a lot of unexplained phenomena out there simply because our limited consciousness cannot grasp the whole picture.  I believe that the realms of science, as we know it, haven’t reached that far.  Science certainly has its merits, but so does the many messages in this book. 

I highly recommend reading this book.  For me, it’s the beginning of a spiritual journey…….

http://www.amazon.com/Many-Lives-Masters-Prominent-Psychiatrist/dp/0671657860/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1300650960&sr=1-1

Spring Cleaning Sans Pine Sol

I have a friend who used to tell me that she enjoyed when the cleaning lady came because she loved smelling Pine Sol after she left.  The scent of Pine Sol is what she associated with “clean.”  I’m sure her house was spic and span, however, that nice Pine Sol scent is actually fumes of chemicals resembling the scent of Pine.  According to the Clorox Company, who makes Pine Sol, only 10 percent of the product is actually pine oil.  Some varieties contain zero pine oil.  What are the remaining ingredients?..... alkyl alchohol ethosylates, sodium petroleum sulfonate and isopropanol. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pine-Sol)  What in the world are these?  I won’t even try and guess.  I could look them up, but why bother? 

I didn’t realize that Pine Sol has been around since the 1920’s.  It is a multi-purpose cleaner with a variety of purposes.  You can use it to clean just about anything; floors, bathrooms, basements, etc.  Did you know that if you use it at full strength, it could even strip acrylic or oil paint enamel from small items! 

I decided to take a look at the company data sheet (http://www.thecloroxcompany.com/products/msds/pinesol/originalpine-solbrandcleaner.pdf) for additional information on the product.  The company warns that you should wash your hands if you come into direct contact with the product.  I guess in addition to the expense of the product, I should add an extra $2 for the purchase of gloves.  I hope I don’t trip over the dog because it may spill directly on me.  In that case, I better wear really old clothes because I won’t want to get my nice clothes ruined.  Actually, the company data sheet also says that if you get anything on your clothing, you must change your clothes.  Hmmm….extra laundry for me!

The fumes created from Pine Sol can be a danger to pets, especially cats.   The fumes from the product can evaporate in the air and create respiratory problems in your pet.  If the fumes cause problems in your pets, what do you think they do to a small child?  The company warns if you immediately inhale fumes, to remove yourself to fresh air.  The company also warns to use an exhaust to minimize exposure to product mist.

Can I ask you, what’s wrong with using just plain old vinegar and water to clean?  You don’t have to worry because the fumes are NOT toxic to animals, children or anyone for that matter.  You won’t have to worry if you forgot to buy gloves at the store and, if you spill any on your clothes, you do not have to change.  If you use vinegar and water, you can even clean your furnace in a dress and high heels!   (Men can try a tux…lol.)  There is no harm in the smell of vinegar and it dissipates rather quickly.  Best of all, a gallon of vinegar only costs $1.99! 

Repeat after me:  Clean has no scent!  Clean has no scent!  Clean has no scent!  I had to write that three times so you understand that fumes emitted from chemicals is NOT clean!  How about this spring, throw out the Pine Sol!  Oh wait, the company warns to “dispose of in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.”  ……………………..:/

(This is my opinion, protected by my First Amendment Right of Freedom of Speech)

IBW Book Club Selection - Discover Your Genius by Michael J. Gelb

Please join me in reading Discover your Genius by Michael J. Gelb, as the next Inner Beauty Workshops book selection.  We can all benefit by studying brilliant minds of history such as the ones portrayed in this book; Plato, Brunelleschi, Columbus, Copernicus, Elizabeth I, Shakespeare, Jefferson, Darwin, Gandhi and Einstein.  The book is also filled with inspirations and exercises for you to discover  your  own untapped potential.  Who knows?.......

http://www.amazon.com/Discover-Your-Genius-Historys-Revolutionary/dp/0060937904/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1300651099&sr=1-1

How to Teach your Teenager to Eat Healthy - Plan A

Look what I found in the basement!!! 

This stuff is pure poison!  I don’t even advocate eating this type of candy in moderation.  My son ate this.  He is 17 and, as you can probably already surmise, doesn’t listen to me.  I can honestly tell you, I don’t EVER buy this stuff or keep it in the house.  I am constantly speaking to my kids about the dangers of ingredients found in these types of candies, such as artificial colors/flavors and food dyes.  My son’s response was, “I don’t do this often so lighten up.”  It is very difficult to teach most teenagers how to eat healthy.  It makes a huge difference when you start….

The easiest way to teach your children to eat healthy is to start when they are young.  I’m going to define “young” as under the age of 12.  It is very important to give your children healthy foods along with an explanation of their importance.  It also helps if both parents are on board together and consistent.  When you give your child “brown” bread instead of “white” bread, you should explain that wheat bread is healthy and contains essential vitamins and minerals necessary for growth and development.  Not in those exact words, of course, but in a language they can understand.   It is also important to find creative ways for them to eat healthy foods.  For instance, using the bread example, you can use a cookie cutter and cut out shapes they will like such as a dinosaur or heart.  I cannot stand the idea of hiding a healthy food in an unhealthy food….such as hiding spinach in a brownie!  Who came up with that dumb idea?  That totally defeats the purpose!  You don’t want your child associating a brownie with health.  The child needs to recognize spinach, develop a taste for spinach and get used to the texture of spinach.  The child needs to understand if you eat spinach you will grow big and strong…like Popeye.  YOU NEVER HIDE SPINACH IN A BROWNIE!   Deep breath….Okay, I’m calmer now..lol.

If your kids are over 12 years old and you try to introduce healthy foods to them, it will be much harder for you to get them to eat it, especially if they are used to nothing but chicken nuggets and french fries.  Their taste buds may be so used to unhealthy foods that even if they do try it, they will probably spit it right out.  So how do you get a teenager away from bad foods and to eat more healthy foods?  First, you need to pay attention to what bad foods your kids are eating.  Are they eating too many salty snacks? …Too many sweets? …Too much soda?   Why do you need to pay attention, you ask?  It’s because your child may be missing important key nutrients.  Food cravings are your body’s way of telling you that you are missing something (See chart below).  For instance, since my son ate that pile of extra sweet candy, his body may be low on chromium, carbon, phosphorus, sulfur or tryptophan.

If you crave this….	What you really need is this….	Here’s where you can find it…
Chocolate	Magnesium	Raw nuts and seeds, legumes, fruit, cacao nibs
Sweets	Chromium Carbon Phosphorus Sulfur Tryptophan	Broccoli, grapes, cheese, beans, liver chicken Fresh fruits Chicken, beef, liver, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, nuts, legumes, grains Cranberries, horseradish, cruciferous veggies, kale, cabbage Cheese, liver, lamb, raisins, sweet potato, spinach
Oily Snacks/Fatty Foods	Calcium	Mustard and  turnip greens, broccoli, kale, legumes, cheese, sesame
Soda, Carbonated Drinks	Calcium	Mustard and turnip greens, broccoli, kale, legumes, cheese, sesame
Salty Foods	Chloride	Raw goat milk, fish, unrefined sea salt

Once you can identify what your child may be low on, try to prepare more healthy foods to build up nutrient levels.  Again, referring back to my son, I can try and increase his fruit intake, give him more grass-fed and pasture raised meat, increase his vegetable intake, etc.  What this will do is diminish his cravings for the extra sweet candy, and he will eat much less of it or, hopefully, none at all.

So, I bet you are now thinking, ”well that’s great.  But….My teenager won’t eat any meat, a vegetable or anything green for that matter!”  For this you MUST get creative in the kitchen (and I don’t mean sneaking liver in your kid’s ice cream cone!)  Since your children are older, you must involve them in meal preparation.  Ask them to look through your cookbooks and pick out a recipe they would like to eat.  Explain to them that it must be a healthy recipe.  You can purchase all the ingredients and either let your child cook dinner by his/herself, make it together with him/her or just make it yourself.   Involving your child in the cooking process may make it more likely your teenager will eat it.  I know a lot of teenagers who love to cook in the kitchen.  Ask them to invite their friends (they can text them….lol.) and ask them to help.  This will enable your teenager to appreciate eating healthy because they partook in the process. 

So this is my “Plan A”.  See if you can figure out if your children are missing any nutrients and try and get them to eat healthier foods by actively participating in food preparation.  If this doesn’t work, there is always “Plan B”….to be continued….

Healthy Food Selections - A Guide to Better Health

I have been asked by my clients, what can I eat?  I completely understand their confusion because of the constant conflicting so called “diet” advice in the news.  It is hard to make sense of it when one week you read it is okay to do something, and the next week it is not okay.  For example, first we were told how healthy butter is for you, and then we were told it was bad for your heart and best to avoid it. The current sentiment is butter is better for you because margarine contains dangerous trans-fats.   Our understanding of nutrition, which is so important to our health and longevity, has been narrowed by contemporary science.  What’s important is that you eat whole foods that are nutrient dense.  I completely agree with Michael Pollan’s food mantra, “Eat food.  Not so much.  Mostly plants.”  In addition, these three food rules from Michael Pollan are a great rule of thumb;  don’t eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn’t recognize as food, do not eat any ingredient you cannot pronounce and stick to eating things that have less than five ingredients.  Our great-grandparents would not have eaten hydrogenated soybean oil, propylene glycol, sodium stearoyl lactylate, cellulose gum, xanthan gum, and artificial flavor.   (Ingredients from a box of Wild Blueberry Corn Muffin Mix from Betty Crocker.)

Please remember to eat three healthy meals a day around the same times each day.   This is important so your body has a continuous flow of energy.  Please do not eat anything after the sun goes down.  Night eating can cause kidney and liver stones, insomnia, a weak immune system and nervous disorders. 

I have listed some healthy meal suggestions below.  This is not a comprehensive guide.  Feel free to use my suggestions as a “starting point,” from which you can either add or subtract, depending on how you feel.  A great book to check out if you want to maximize nutrients for each meal is Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon and Mary Enig.

*Fruits and Vegetables – There is no limit on fruits and vegetables that you can eat during the course of the day.  Feel free to juice them, eat them raw, or cooked.  Just be aware that it is best to eat fruits alone.  Fruits digest a lot quicker and should be eaten ½ hour prior to a large meal or 2 hours after a meal.

Breakfast

Oatmeal

Cream of Wheat

Malto-Meal

Eggs – not factory farmed

Organic cereal

Sprouted whole grain bread with raw organic cream cheese or butter

Yogurt or Kefir

Lunch

Sandwich on whole grain sprouted bread (Hummus or nitrate-free coldcuts)

Avocado on toast

Leftovers from the night before

Homemade Soups (For example:  http://innerbeautyworkshops.blogspot.com/2011/01/minestrone-soup.html)

Homemade Pizza

Salad*

Fermented Foods

There is a huge assortment of fresh/raw, or cooked salads you can have for this meal.  Be creative….

Dinner

Pasture raised chicken

Grass-fed beef

Lamb

Cornish game hens

Turkey

Wild Meats

Wild Salmon

Rice Pasta (For example:  http://innerbeautyworkshops.blogspot.com/2010/12/dinner-on-run-rice-pasta-with-peas.html )

Vegetarian Dishes ( For example:  http://innerbeautyworkshops.blogspot.com/2010/11/lima-bean-red-curry-squash-stew.html )

Homemade or Sprouted Grain Bread

Salads

**If you like having your main or heaviest meal at lunchtime, switch the dinner with the lunch suggestions.

***If you are extremely busy and do not have a lot of time to cook, invest in a crockpot.  This way, you can put everything in it before you head out the door in the morning and come home to a home-cooked meal.  There is no need to be Susie Homemaker……

Snacks

Fruit

Air popped popcorn with butter

Raisins, figs, dates

Nuts & Seeds

Yogurt

Raw Cheese

Hummus with vegetables or pita bread

Guacamole or salsa with non-GMO chips

Smoothie

Granola

Apples with nut butter

**You can also have homemade or organic muffins, cookies and cakes in moderation

(http://innerbeautyworkshops.blogspot.com/2011/02/valentines-heart-cookies.html)

REFERENCES:

Pollan, Michael, Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual, Penguin 2009.

Tombak, Mikhail, Can We Live 150 Years?, Point Roberts, Washington: Healthy Life Press inc., 2005