'Food and Your Mood'

yes catchy title of booklet written by Jack Challem

the booklet came from a lively Natural Foods conference this past wknd in NYC

Here is an overview of its contents

'you can control what you eat, and you can reap the myriad health and mood benefits of optimal nutrition'

'scientific research shows that what we eat, or neglect to eat, can also affect how we behave.'

'nutrients provide the building blocks of our brain's biochemistry, and these nutrients influence the production and activity of

our neurotransmitters."

'physician Michael Gershon, MD, has called the gut our "second brain," because of how its extensive network of nerve cells interact with the brain and central nervous system.'

pretty basic, sensible.. -- then book dips into 'the stress-sleep connection'

this is pretty relevant -- seems a number of people you see in big cities are bumbling about rather zonkt

'studies have found that sleep-deprived people have the slower reaction times of someone who is drunk'

many people try to compensate by guzzling coffee -- which can spike mood then dip -- the crash..

(elevated cortisol levels = no bueno)

rollercoaster blood suger levels can breed Jekll-and-Hyde mood swings

glucose levels are all over the place - the person gets bit by the drowsy bug and feels like napping on his/her desk

'improvements in eating habits and the prudent use of nutritional supplements to enhance certain aspects of brain chemistry' help in warding off toxic stress

'a diet reletively high in quality protien and low in starchy and sugary foods can usually improve blood glucose levels.

breakfast stands as most important meal of day

here's a great bfast: eggs (protien) steel-cut oats, and fresh berries - throw in nuts if like

if you do wax sad -- start pumping in B-Complex vitamins

can often reduce depression; chase the clouds away = )

St. John's Wart too (Yogi makes a tea) and omega-3 fish oil (capsules)

Vitamin D -- take it in though eyeballs -- go out on a brisk walk -- and take vitamin D pills

resist the urge to multi-task -- if you really feel like you are going bonkers at work -- like start feeling shortness of breath -- give yourself 'time outs' -- 'take three or four very deep breaths.. remove yourself from stimuli, place your hands on a heavy desk or wall, close your eyes, and visualize a calmer setting.'

man, what kind of world do we live in.. -- I do recall hearing a girl who was working on Wall Street say that after working outrageous ammounts of hours she'd curl up on a mat under desk, snooze for a bit, rise, and get back to the job

awful -- terrible for the body and brain -- not to mention soul

'people actually get more work done by completing one task at a time'

'practice being mindful'

"nutrasocial" factors: upbringing, education, advertising, peer presure, and stress

'nutritional habits that are good for the heart are also good for the head.'

'think in terms of nutrient density'

maximise your meals -- go for salmon and veggies over a big plate of sappy pasta

'Opt for fresh food'

Indians have a word 'prana' which refers to 'life' in food

try to eat food fresh-plucked --- radiating with life

if it sits around nutrients tend to 'leave the building'

'focus on quality protiens'

they stabilize blood sugar levels

the key chemical building blocks of nuerotransmitters

fish, poultry, lean meats, eggs, legumes, nuts

try to include quality protiens in each of your three daily meals

'include high-fiber vegetables and fruits'

Ample quantities

greens salad -- olive oil and vinegar dressings

berries (blue, black, rasp) and kiwifruit

'saute and steam veggies'

don't overcook (kills off nutrients)

watch out for starches

don't hog out on fries and other such 'low-density' foods (includes pizza)

esp if you'r kinda chubby already -- that bread will turn right to fat and bulge

'limit caffeine intake'

i really like coffee -- moving forward i'm limiting it to a cup a day -- and only rrreeally good stuff

* no white sugar or those weird sweeteners (obvs) -- touch of wild honey is yum -- and organic milk

limit intake of sweets and booze

if you are 'getting drunk' you are destroying countless brain cells and are a dummy

Avoid "trans fats" found in hydrogenated oils

don't eat gross processed food with oil in it e.g. cheap processed peanut butter

Ok, this note deals primarily with eating

in the next one I'll focus on supplements

bis dan, fine-tune those neurotransmitters friends = )

Ad

The Boy Who Went After The North Wind

the story opens with a little boy in the 'Stabbur' (Norwegian cottage) talking to his ill mother

he goes and fetches flour -- but the North Wind gusts in -- and the flour disappears

again he buys flour -- and the North Wind whooshes it off

and a third time!

the boy is angry!

he journeys to have words with the North Wind..

but the North Wind denies having any flour

nevertheless, he gives the boy a 'magic blanket' -- one that will, when he says 'cloth, spread yourself!', 'serve up delicious dishes to eat'

on his way home he waxes tired, and stops at an inn

the surly innkeeper harshly turns the boy away -- stating there's not enough food --

'cloth, spread yourself!' calls the child, throwing the blanket on the table --

food springs into existence!

the innkeeper, astonished, hatches a scheme as the boy dozes off

he sneakily swaps the magic blanket for a phony

boy rises in the morning and heads for home..

inside the stabbur, he casts the blanket down 'cloth, spread yourself! '... nothing..

the mother moans, iller than ever

the boy, saddened, sets off again for the North Wind..

he chucks the blanket at the North Wind 'it's a fake!' -- and demands flour

no dice

but the North Wind gives him a magic ram instead --

one that 'produces gold from its butt' when you say 'ram, make money!'

the boy leaves, riding on the ram's back

grows sleepy as the sky darkens, stops at the inn

drunken innkeeper lets him --

right away a demonstration of the ram in action --

pieces of gold shoot from its backside

!!

he must have it

he has a room made ready

the boy falls fast asleep

now's his chance -- shady innkeeper steels the magic ram

finds a similar one out back -- the replacement is made..

boy wakes to a sunny day

sets off for home..

'ram, make money!'.. nothing.. 'ram, make money!'..

a tear slides down the poor sick mother's cheek -- her condition is worsening

the boy is beside himself

another trek..

'North Wind! I demand flour!!'

the North Wind instead gives him a magic stick -- it will protect him --

he just need say 'stick, lay on!'

the boy goes straight to the innkeeper

the innkeeper begins scheming even as he sees the boy approaching

but the boy wastes no time -- 'stick, lay on!' ----

the stick flies into action, beating the innkeeper silly -- and a few drunks at the bar too

'make it stop!' shrieks the innkeeper -- 'here! take your stuff back' -- throws the magic blanket and the real ram at the boy

'stop stick!' yells the boy

and with the blanket and ram

heads for home

they have plenty of food and money!

the mother is happy and heals

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video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8h7eMneuAI

automaton voices

on the M train

(been a while since rode train ---- bike being pref mode of transportation -- above ground! fresh air!)

an automaton voice - something out of a Sci-Fi movie - told me -- us -- to (paraphrased [but close])

"Ladies and Gentleman, when you see a handicapped, elderly or pregnant person, please offer them your seat;

you'll be standing up for what's right. Courtesy is contagious - and it starts with you."

??

~did a.. robot voice.. just. say that to me..~ -

another message (paraphrased [close])

"Protect yourself.."

?? -

"If you see a suspicious-looking package don't keep it to yourself.. Tell a police officer..

Remain alert, and have a safe day.."

??

~did a.. robot voice just.. say that to me..~

look around at people.. no one seems to think anything is weird..

arrive at stop in Long Island City

ascend grimy stairs

there's.. a.. guy in a bright blue gorilla costume waving a yellow flag..

sign around neck advertising Mr Bubble carwash..

walking closer, hear a buzzing noise -- the buzzes of an electric motor --

and it occurs -- it's a robot in the costume..

one less employee to pay huh..

computers took over countless factory jobs..

and took its toll on toll-takers (E-Z Pass; glide on through)

set me to thinking.. ~are there any jobs a robot just won't ever replace~...

a plumber

over this past wknd my Mom was in town from Philly and told of how she found a mouse doggie-paddling in the toilet

what having climbed in the pipes -- holding breath a minute or so - swimming to the toilet bowl -- where it could climb out and perhaps go nibble on cookie crumbs ------- but, in this case, got caught -- and put out in the back lawn (that mouse has stories to tell to his buds [if he ever sees them again])

the drain in my apt used to drain so slow.. water would collect to overflowing in sink while trying to shave

i emptied a whole bottle of Draino into the sink.. no dice..

my bro took the plunger to it -- multiple rounds -- the description of the gobs and stuff that were plunged forth, yyow..

now it drains quickly

water is so elusive

if there is the smallest crack -- it will find its way out

i recall watching a documentary in which Bruce Lee instructed the viewers to "be like water"

in other wards - flexible - and 'fluid' -- 'finding the way'

my hat's off to plumbers - controlling water -- no easy task!

they are paid a lot

they earn their pay

mark my words -- you'll never pay a robot to fix your sink!

article about an expert in the field of repairing art

here are two sections from an article in the May 11 (2009) New Yorker magazine about a German guy who is an expert as far as repairing art goes -- have a read:


placed."

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one could throw in the whole 'meanwhile children are starving in Africa' line at this point but

what was was.. ---- here we are in time flow - - - - -


* painting by Takeshi Murata

Visalia Cali

who knew central Cali is so great -- here a quick glance (see fb vid [below] b4 or after reading post)

Thurs night I went to a concert in East Village -- Webster Hall -- saw Caspian - band from Boston - perform -- stretched late -- rode bike round midnight to apt -- grabbed suitcase and made way to PATH train ----- cruised to Jersey -- Newark -- bumbled around airport -- checked in round 5am ---- boarded plane and soared to sunny Cali..

Fresno Airport is clean -- has sculptures of giant tree(trunk)s in it.. -
stepped out into glorious sun and radiant green palm trees
The sister of the bride (whose wedding i flew in for) picked me up in an older model Grand Marquis (yyeeaahh)..
we drive to 'Super Taco'
i've eaten plenty of tacos over the years -- these were possibly the best --
we sprayed lemon on and ate them as we cruised to house - fruit trees blurring by on both sides of vehicle

arrive at house (bride's parents) -
reeeaally beautiful place -- Cali architecture all the way -- one floor -- tall windows -- pool out back with waterslide ---- they have two big Saint Bernard dogs.. and a bunch of cats roaming around..
we drive to another farm -- big avocado tree in yard -- fields of plum trees, nut trees, on and on..
next thing i'm zooming on an ATV - along with her cousins and a local - though a vast network of sandy trails -- fruit and nut trees eeeverywhere -- rows and rows -- dips, moguls, ramps, big openings full of sand (good for donuts, jumping off ramps) -- a lake -- slog thru..
the local had all kinds of enormous tractors and farm equipment -- an Austrain prince put him in charge of tending the land -- soo much to look after (including Kiwi trees) -- but he had a good attitude about it - and a cool dog - who'd fetch sticks and play in the water

We ate a feast of a dinner -- fresh Beef, potatoes, 3 bean salad, -- walnut pie and whipped cream for dessert =d

afterwords, went to go play pool at a family friend's
we show up and it's a huge space with a movie screen playing a film -
we watch the rest - then skip pool to go grab drinks on Main Street

at the biggest venue downtown a teen-age band is rocking out on a stage -- we opt for another bar down the street - someone bought a round of shots which we threw back -- then i order beers from tap for me and a friend -- expecting a $14 bill -- 7 bucks for both(!)
place was packt -- local gals belted out karaoke

got in middle of night -- snoozed on couch -----
jolt awake around 5am -- to the Saint Bernard having a barking/howling fit --
i swivel head around to see the owner of the house standing there -- ready to start farming for the day -- 'the dog has dreams' he said

fell back asleep - till awoken a few hours later -- to talk of a clogged toilet -- a plumber pushes in an industrial-grade snake 'MAX ROOTER' written on it
he rattled it to work on the clog -- claimed it was 'roots' (grew though, blockt flow)
* someone asked him what was the craziest thing he had to dislodge -- 'small animals' he said

after breakfast at the farm, the grandpa walks in and says there's a stolen car, dumped on the land (abandoned)
we get in back of pick up and go investigate ('happens all the time -- usually they torch them' [the abandoned vehicles] --- also tells me the farmer has a thing that launches disks, which explode loudly - scaring of thieves trying to steal nuts

it's a white, Toyota truck-- wheels stripped off, windows smasht..
they get the forklift, attach chains to it, jostle it around..
not wanting to damage the irrigation hose, we pull it out from under it.. a Fresno cop pulls up.. we leave it for the tow truck to deal with..

one of the cousins shows me the bee hives --
about two hundred boxes (little bigger than shoe boxes) stacks of about 5 high
bees swarm around them (hives made inside) --
he's telling me about the business of it (farmers paying bee keepers to be near their farms -- to pollinate flowers) - wearing a pair of orange oakleys -- bees are right there close to us buzzing like mad -- sun blazes in distance - behind us are countless orange trees -- we're standing on a path made of crushed walnut shells

he also told me Visalia is well known for dairy - one of -- if not *the* -- top producing areas in the World

The bride's uncle takes me and his son for a drive -- to 'Three Rivers'
the road weaves through massive green mountains -- body of water in the valley below.. -- people fill the water (boating and waverunnering) in the summer..
we lunch at In-N-Out -- gobbled down a 'Double Double' (yyowie)

back at the house - dress for wedding - wedding photographer shows up - with the videographer - two friends show up (one from ny -- the other, la)
i take wheel of their rental car (PT Cruiser) - stop by Starbucks - and roll to church

a modern building -- felt like we were in a space ship : )

Harpist played.. Ceremony..
Groom played an original, epic piece on piano to bride, who stood at the alter in magnificent gown

candle lighting, rings, kiss, they exit

we exit, into Cruiser, roll to reception..

Visalia Country Club -- great choice -- a verdant green, lush, flowy trees, lake with big carp and swans.. drinks at the bar.. sun sets -- mystical, sublime -- as we laugh by the lake..

darkness, go inside.. fancy - steak and salmon.. wine.. speeches.. cake cutting.. champagne.. dance floor opens -- it's On.. -
tho at one point my friend leap-frogs me - we bonk heads -- he has to sit a while to recoup..
Outside, we blow bubbles on bride and groom as they walk to shiny new Corvette -- climb in -- rumble off into Cali night -- to honeymoon in Japan

Afterparty in the heart of downtown Visalia -- rowdy bar -- lots of Cali farmer kids
i ordered a drink called a 'Crackpipe' -- sip at it, yelling to others over the blaring music -- the drink goes straight to head an i hand keys to friend -- we stop by a 7eleven -- where discover atm card is missing (aaah well)

we arrive at house 1ish -- i snooze on sectional couch pull-out bed..

rise after sleeping in.. eat wedding cake basking in sun out by pool.. -- pool-cleaning robot sprays me with its hose =/

bride's sis pops up to give me a ride to airport..
the farmer dad (owner of house) takes my two friends and i to the fruit trees - we pluck fat oranges right off the trees, stick them in bags..
i eat two of them on way to Fresno airport
the other two, I left under my seat on the airplane....
I wonder if the person who found them, ate them

here's a video