The New Human Condition

This is interesting. The ayurvedic diet (Ayurveda is a traditional form of medicine practiced in India) consists of a variety of different foods depending on your age, gender, the time of the year, and your body type or “dosha”.

There are three types of Dosha, and each has different physical and emotional elements that are aggravated and controlled by eating different foods, especially spices.

Vata: Vatas tend to be leaner in physique. They are creative, but can be impatient and nervous at times. Because of their occasionally fragile digestion systems, vatas should try fresh ginger and ground cinnamon to stabilize their systems, and add salt to increase digestion and calm the nervous system.

Pitta: The pitta dosha tends toward average builds, fair skin, and good circulation. They may become overheated easily. With passionate personalities, they make natural leaders. Use fennel and coriander to keep the body cool, and cardamom to balance the digestive system.

Kapha: Kaphas tend to be larger and heavier people with slow digestion. They are usually loyal, loving people but can also be inwardly focused and easily depressed. Black pepper, red pepper, and cloves can help stimulate digestion and metabolic activity, while at the same time balancing mood.

Joe Food and Nutrition Ayurveda, Dasha, Spices

In today’s world, stress is inevitable. We live in fast-paced environments that are full of danger, disease, and toxins. We are managing our lives, our jobs, our relationships, our family, and many other things that make up our day. The problem is that stress is horrible for your heart, especially for men. Recent studies have shown increased risk of heart attack and stroke as a result of chronically high stress levels.

It’s not possible to get rid of stress completely, but there are ways to deal with it and keep it at a manageable level.

Sweat it out. Exercise is a stress reliever. Whether you are feeling run down, or just too busy to get in a workout, get it in anyhow…it could be the most important thing you do. Even if you just go for a walk instead of hitting the gym, exercise releases chemicals that make you feel happier, plus you will sleep better at night.

Get Enough Sleep: Sleep is critical to managing your stress levels and to your overall health. In fact, there is probably nothing more important than getting a good’s nights sleep. Studies have shown that getting less than 6 hours of sleep nightly can raise the risk of heart disease by up to 39%. Read about some tips on sleeping better here:

Meditate: You don’t need to get out a yoga mat and sit in lotus position for this. During the day take some time out from whatever you are doing and just think about nothing (easier said than done, I know). Go for a walk, take a bath, or put on a relaxing song or two and just let your mind be at ease.

Don’t Skip Meals (Especially Breakfast): Eating several small meals throughout the day helps regulate your digestion, blood sugar, and energy levels. Your body will put less stress on itself, allowing you to better deal with anything the world throws at you.

Start Talking: If stress levels are really getting to you, talk with a close friend of loved one. Oftentimes they can suggest something that will help you, otherwise sometimes just talking about things helps ease the stress you might be feeling. A counselor could also help if things are really bad.

Remember to Look at the Big Picture: Don’t get too upset about things that are meaningless and out of your control. Did the restaurant get your order wrong? Did someone cut you off on your way to work? Let it go. These small things can really annoy us and add significant stress to our lives. Don’t let them, these things are meaningless in the big picture of life.  

So take care of stress and take care of your heart!

Joe Culture, Health Heart, Stress

Recession. The word is everywhere these days. Our economy is fragile, the market has dropped, and energy costs are rising. (Ok, enough bad news)

The good news is that you can still afford to eat healthy on a limited budget. Here are five easy ways to get the most for your money:

Buy in Bulk: My nearby chain grocery store and the local organic grocery store both have a bulk section. Chances are yours does too. Here you can find things like beans, rice, nuts, flour, dried fruit, and coffee. Basically any dried staple item can be purchased like this. Buy a bunch, store it, and pocket the discounts.

Learn to Cook Beans: Combine with the rice you bought in the bulk section and you have the cheapest protein you can buy. Most of the world relies on some form of bean for sustenance because they are affordable and offer a lot of nutrition. Think about making soups, burritos, chili, or just simple beans and rice.

Shop Sales: Compare various stores to see which has your own staple items for the cheapest. Don’t cut corners here and switch brands, just shop around. If you love organic coffee, don’t buy a random brand just because it’s on sale…find out where you can get yours the cheapest. Stock up when there are sales on your favorites.

Buy Local: Check out farmers markets in your area. Almost every city no matter the size will have one now (yay!). You can also ask around for locals that sell their own produce or animal products out of their home. A friend of mine gets a great deal on organic eggs and grass-fed pork because he made friends with a lady who sells these things out of her home. Oftentimes these products are cheaper and better than store varieties.

Start a Container Garden: No matter what size of home you have you can do this (even in a house or condo!).  Buy a few cheap pots, some soil, and some seeds or seedlings. Gardening in pots is really easy, and you can grow many of your own fruits and vegetables for a fraction of the cost. Plus, you get a new hobby.

You can also check out my previous post on Eating Well for Less

Joe Food and Nutrition Beans, Bulk, Gardening, Local, Sales

The thing to remember when traveling is that the trail is the thing, not the end of the trail. Travel too fast and you miss all that you are traveling for.

-Louis L’Amour

Joe Uncategorized Hiking, Life

One of my goals in life is to live to be 100 or more. As strange as that sounds, becoming a “centenarian” might not be as hard as I think. A new study by health and longevity experts suggests that over half of babies born today will live to 100. Half of today’s college students can also expect to celebrate this birthday milestone if they live a healthy life, eating well and exercising. Click here to read the article in its entirety.

If we are going to live to 100 or more, we need to really be living. This means going after our goals and not just letting life pass us by. 100 years seems like a long time now, but it will probably fly by just like the last “X” number of years have. Life is never guaranteed and we need to make the most of the time we are given. For those who don’t know… my friend Kimi recently passed away. She was someone who really took time to enjoy her life and enrich those of everyone around her. Kimi loved human interaction, and encouraged it whenever she should. She brought a lot of good into the world in her short time here. Read about her life and her impact on the world. We can all take steps to enrich our lives and live more intensely. 

Keep Focused: Stay in the moment. Always be aware of the present. Take note of your surroundings and enjoy them. Too often we rush through our lives from one task to another. Keep your memory sharp by presenting it with creative challenges (puzzles, experiments, social interaction, etc). Don’t abuse alcohol or drugs that dampen the senses. One of my favorite quotes comes from a book called “The Last American Man”:

“There is no way that you can have a decent life as a man if you aren’t awake and aware every moment. Show up for your own life. Don’t pass your days in a stupor, content to swallow whatever watery ideas modern society may bottle feed you through the media, satisfied to slumber through life in an instant gratification sugar coma. The most extraordinary gift you’ve been given is your own humanity, which is about consciousness. So honor that consciousness.”

Eat Smart: Eat a wide variety of foods, and always take a chance to expose yourself to something new. Choose fresh, organic foods when possible. Follow Michael Pollan’s advice: “Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.” Your body gathers nutrients and essential health compounds from the foods you eat. Read about “Eating in America”:

Relax: Take some time to relax when you are feeling stressed. Stress is an absolute nightmare for the body. It raises blood pressure and anxiety, advances the aging process, and increases the risk of many illnesses, particularly those that are cardiovascular-related. Take time out every day to sit down, enjoy a mug of your favorite beverage, or meditate. Read my post on taking “time-out” to enjoy life here.

Sleep Soundly: Sleep is the best thing you can do to help your body, increase your overall lifespan, and to look and feel younger. The human body undergoes various restorative processes during the sleep cycle, repairing damaged tissues and cells, and compiling memory and mental functions. If you have a hard time getting to sleep at night, read my post on How to Become a Better Sleeper.

Look Your Best: Always take time to put on your best appearance to the world. This doesn’t mean you have to dress up every time you go out (I’m not a huge fan of dress clothes myself…I prefer a old pair of jeans and a comfy t-shirt). But it does mean you should keep your appearance up. Brush your teeth at least daily. Stay clean by showering often, and applying light, natural scents to your skin. Keep your hair and nails neat and trimmed. These may seem like common sense tips, but they are often neglected. Not only will these small things make you look better, you will feel better about yourself as a result.  

Joe Culture, Food and Nutrition, Health Life, Longevity

It turns out Grandma was right all along! Ginger really does soothe an upset stomach. Recent studies also suggest that it may help with nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, and with nausea in chemotherapy patients.

I had always heard this growing up, and whenever I had an upset stomach my Mom or Grandma would always make me drink ginger ale. It always made me feel better, but looking back on it I wonder how much of that was “placebo effect” (I thought it would make me feel better so it did).

Turns out there isn’t much ginger in ginger ale nowadays. Most of the “ginger” flavor is the result of a mixture of “natural flavors”.

The next time you have an upset stomach, go to the nearest natural foods store and buy real ginger ale…or mix 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger into a soothing beverage like tea or water.

Joe Food and Nutrition, Health Ginger

Various forms of Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) have come and gone over the past few decades. Those that remained are increasingly growing in popularity, and are showing real results for patients. Acupuncture, massage therapy, and chiropractic medicine are now staples of our health care system. A 2007 survey by the National Institute of Health shows that Americans are increasingly turning to supplements or herbal remedies over prescription drugs.  According to the study:

37% use fish oil – This is supposed to keep joints moving smoothly…and I know that fish oil works!

20% take glucosamine – Similar to fish oil, known to ease and lubricate joints

20% take Echinacea – When taken regularly, can boost the immune system

16% use flaxseed oil – Claims a host of benefits in cardio health

11% regularly take garlic of ginkgo – Benefits include increased circulation, digestion, and appetite

Think about replacing prescription drugs with these natural alternatives. Also, closely look at medical treatments like massage and chiropractic medicine for muscle and joint pain. I have tried both of these for back pain, and they do work. Also, I would much rather get massaged several times a week than taking drugs to numb back pain.

Alternative methods are growing in popularity in the U.S. And what’s better is that they have a proven track record of working in place of traditional medicine.

Joe Health Alternative Medicine, Chiropractic, Herbs, Massage, Supplements

There was a girl
in the eleventh grade
named Valerie
who told me
I would do great things
For God.

I’ve been trying to write a poem ever since.

(From the Selected Writings of Linford Detweiler of Over the Rhine)

Joe Poetry Spirituality

I got this text from my brother the other day: “I’m taking the organic milk challenge”.

I had a chance to visit with him for awhile this past weekend, and he mentioned that he read this blog occasionally. I asked him if he followed any of the tips or used any of the information, but he said he really didn’t. So gradually the conversation shifted to organic foods, and I told him he should take the Organic Milk Challenge. Here is what it is:

Have someone who does not typically eat organic food try two different types of milk. Set up a blind taste test using two glasses. Fill one with grocery-store brand conventional milk. Fill the other with an organic variety (Horizon, Stonyfield Farms, etc). Have your friend try both without knowing which is which, and simply ask which one tastes better…and why?

Chances are they will pick the organic version. My boss did this to me one day at work, and it opened up my mind to the conventional vs. organic food debate. The organic milk really did taste a lot better.

After the experiment tell them that the same is true with many kinds of organics. The “organic” label is not just a new marketing play by food companies. These foods taste better and are better for your body. After milk, try the experiment with organic eggs, vegetables, and fruit.

And if you are not yet a believer in organic foods, take the Organic Milk Challenge for yourself. You will be glad you did.

Joe Food and Nutrition, Health Milk, Organic

My friend Kimi passed away recently. I found this poem she had written on her blog:

call it a chair

i’m going to get a bunch of those beautifully colored leaves.

and some adhesive.

lots of that adhesive.

and slap the leaves onto cardboard.

with adhesive.

and call it a chair.

you can sit in it if you want.

Kimi Young 1986-2009

Joe Kimi Young, Poetry Kimi Young