When a child goes to school there is a lot that we teach them.
At first, we want them to learn to master reading, writing, and some basic arithmetic. Later, as their analytical skills develop we give them other areas; maybe geography, history, economics and social studies. Depending on the school they go to, they may also be exposed to more creative activities such as art and music. These skills, while useful, aren’t what we would call hard life skills. In fact, most of them aren’t very useful once we enter the ‘real world.’ This is particularly relevant given that the world is changing so rapidly. But there is one skill that we could teach our children that would help them in all areas of their lives. It would help them develop more emotional intelligence, cognitive acuity, compassion, and confidence. This skill would strengthen their immune systems, increase their willpower and improve their ability to make difficult decisions under pressure. All in all, it would make them happier individuals and allow them to better deal with the stresses of technology and modern life. So what is it? Meditation. Meditation is the antidote to the aspects of modernity that have become pathological. This pathology is manifesting itself as an inability to look at ourselves openly and honestly. We are conditioned to look for distractions in the form of social media, movies, Netflix, and junk food. As human beings, it is natural that we should fall into the trap of listening to our ego, but what modern society unfortunately does is amplify that voice. We’re seeing a few ways in which children are being impacted by this change. But meditation can help us solve alleviate these issues whilst at the same time allowing us to develop some of our greatest human strengths. Here are 5 reasons we need to introduce meditation to schools: It can help reduce symptoms of ADHD and Autism. The causes of Autism are highly contested. However, the one thing that is clear is that autism is a stress response. Meditation can increase children’s resilience to stress and offer relief when it comes to the symptoms of autism. With regards to ADHD, diagnoses have skyrocketed in recent years and it serves everyone involved to look for a solution that doesn’t involve prescription medication. A number of studies, including on out of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), found that only 8 weeks of mindfulness meditation training was incredibly beneficial to both adolescents and adults suffering from ADHD. Imagine how much 8 years could help! For those that don’t suffer from ADHD, meditation is also hugely beneficial to general concentration. It can combat Depression and Anxiety. There are dozens, if not hundreds of studies demonstrating the benefits of meditation on depression and anxiety. Goyal & Singh et al. for example, studied the effects of mindfulness meditation on 3515 participants, adding to the increasing body of evidence that it can decrease depression and anxiety. This is a particular problem amongst young people these days who have to deal with novel issues such as cyber-bullying and body image issues related to social media exposure. It improves creativity Schools and educational programs have been widely accused of diminishing creativity, so any effort to stimulate it would be beneficial. One study that looked at 5 measures of creativity saw a significant increase in those that meditated over a 6-month period. It improves emotional intelligence and compassion We now know that both emotional intelligence and compassion aren’t inherent traits, they’re skills that need to be developed and nurtured over time. Studies have shown that meditation can play a fundamental role in this process, improving our emotional intelligence and expanding our capacity for compassion. It improves learning This probably seems like the most obvious benefit for schools to consider. A study at George Mason University looked at students who attended a lecture after meditating and found that even with a short meditation they were able to retain the information better. Meditation also serves as an accurate predictor of who will pass and fail. If meditation became part of the school curriculum it could have deep benefits not just for our children but for the future of our planet. Some of the most profound benefits of the practice only come after a very long-term practice of 20 or more years. Some studies have found super fast cognitive functioning, the ability to repress the startle response, the slowing down of neurodegenerative diseases However, children who start at 6 years old can have 12 years meditation experience before they leave school. This means by the time they enter the workforce and start having influence in positions of authority, they already have a degree of emotional maturity usually reserved for someone far beyond their years. This post originally appeared on SkillCode, and was authored by Benjamin Fishel. – This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website. from food4 http://ift.tt/29ZYyfO via bastelanna.jimdo.com from Tumblr http://ift.tt/29LG6Ur via bastelanna.jimdo.com
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I have suffered from insidious depression for at least 39 of my nearly 54 years of living. At this point, I have lived with depression long enough to know that I am extremely sensitive to human suffering and trauma. Like many people around the world I have been deeply affected by last week’s senseless and horrific murders of seven men. Let me quickly state that I was not privileged to know these men and recognize that my grief is nothing compared to that experienced by their families. That said last week’s constant drum beat of murder mixed with the hate spewed across social media has left me beaten, bereft, and broken. In short, I am now ripe for a depression crisis and must take extraordinary measures to avoid it.
Last Tuesday, I watched video footage of Alton Sterling’s murder multiple times. The video was gut-wrenching. Then the piercing and painful soul cry of Cameron Sterling, Alton Sterling’s oldest son, sent me reeling. My heart ached for Cameron because nothing could be done to ease or erase his pain. Oddly it was Quinyetta McMillon’s ability to maintain her composure in the midst of Cameron’s suffering that kept me from coming completely undone. Philando Castile was murdered before I could regain my emotional composure. Until Mr. Castile’s murder, I had managed to absorb the biting injustice associated with the murders of Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, Jordan Davis, Sandra Bland, John Crawford, Freddie Gray, LaQuan McDonald, and Tamir Rice. Mr. Castile’s murder was my tipping point. I realized that I was overly saturated with sorrow and no longer had the capacity to absorb another senseless murder. I have always been conscious of myself first as a Negro, Black, and then African American person living in the United States. But, for the first time in my life I felt completely unsafe and helpless in the only country that I have called home. It was as if my children and I had become unwilling participants in a real life Hunger Games without the tools needed to protect ourselves from being killed. That is such a powerless and vulnerable space in which to live. At that point, I could feel my depression simmering just beneath the surface of my skin. Without thinking I started towards my rabbit hole called depression all while knowing that the safety and security I desperately craved could not be found there. By last Thursday afternoon, I was nearly at the end of myself. To protect my mental health, I unplugged from social media and started binge watching old episodes of the West Wing. I asked my friends to message me if another African American man was killed. I watched West Wing episodes until around 10:00 p.m. when I checked my Facebook feed and saw posts from different friends who live in Dallas warning about a sniper shooting. Words are simply insufficient to describe the murders of Dart Officer Brent Thompson, and Dallas Police Officers Patrick Zamarripa, Michael Krol, Lorne Ahrens, and Michael Smith. These men were simply doing what they swore to do: serve and protect. Now they were dead and would never return home to their families again. It was all too much for me to fathom. I was transfixed by television news reports and social media feeds until long past midnight. Eventually or fortunately, I fell asleep. When I awoke a few hours later, I felt like I had spent the last several hours in a hail shower. Throughout the day I struggled to hold my depression in check. Now you may be questioning the point of such detailed introspection about my personal journey through another week of unspeakable tragedy. Mine is but one of hundreds of stories and thus, my introspection is not the point. I am not the only person whose mental health was pushed to the brink last week. On Friday morning my depression wanted me to stay in bed all day and consume excessive quantities of sugar, fatty foods, television, and Twitter. Depression wanted the party to continue on Saturday and Sunday. But, I refused to go out like that. I had come too far in my recovery to rely upon coping skills that only fed my depression. So I got up, showered, and dressed. I unplugged from everything connected to the seven murders and spent Friday filling my mind and meditating on what I know to be true, authentic, and compelling. I made the deliberate choice in the midst of tragedy and fear to focus on the best rather than the worst of humanity; to look upon the beautiful as opposed to the ugly parts of mankind. I chose to extend kindness, gentleness, and compassion to others instead of succumbing to bitterness and hatred. Won’t you join me. According to the Harvard Health Publication Understanding Depression self care strategies for managing depression include: Exercise Diet rich in olive oil, fish, fruit, vegetables, nuts and beans. Eliminating or restricting processed, sugary, salty, and fatty foods. Mindfulness practice which may include meditation, prayer or other spiritual practice Expressive writing. Sleep Above all be kind to and never apologize for taking care of yourself. For depression support contact: NAMI Help Line (800) 950-6264 Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (800) 826-3632 – This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website. from food4 http://ift.tt/29ZYaOc via bastelanna.jimdo.com from Tumblr http://ift.tt/29LxPUB via bastelanna.jimdo.comThe term “flexitarian” has been coined to describe someone who eats a primarily whole food, plant-based diet, but also sneaks in a big of meat every now and again. Celebrity cookbook author and chef, Mark Bittman, uses this term, and has recently moved away from a meat-centric diet. His new schtick is that he’s strictly vegan all day long, and in the evening he eats whatever he wants. I find this a little odd from a health perspective because if you’re going to toss a big grass-fed steak down your gullet, you’re much better off eating it at lunch time when your body has the rest of the day to digest it/work it off. But moving on from the Mark Bittman (who I love), I’m seeing flexitarians cropping up everywhere here in LA - almost as many as the Paleo crowd. And both groups of “health conscious” eaters are eating meat - in the case of Paleo’s, a LOT of meat. However, are they really “conscious”? I personally choose not to eat animal flesh. I totally used to. Actually, I include a bunch of meat recipes in my second book (The Gorgeously Green Diet 2009), and do a deep dive into the benefits of truly grass-fed (as opposed to grass-finished) meat. But over the past 5 years I’ve changed. I’ve realized that I don’t need to eat animal flesh to be healthy, and that in many ways I am healthier, stronger, and more energetic without. I’ve also become a way more “conscious” eater in that I really think long and hard about how every mouthful is produced, and in the case of animals, I just couldn’t deny that fact that animal welfare doesn’t get taken into consideration 99.9% of the time (even when it’s implied that it does). I don’t call myself a vegan, because it’s a label (not a big fan of labels), and I do (very occasionally) eat a little fish. I am totally NON-JUDGEMENTAL of people who enjoy eating meat, so if you are one of them, please don’t stop reading. My entire family are meat-eaters, and so I’ve learned to live and let live. I’m also not opposed to handling or cooking meat for those who must eat it - like my 15 year-old daughter who says she will NEVER not eat meat. It’s kind of the reverse of the many teens who, much to their parent’s consternation, suddenly go vegan. Since I’m a total health nut, my daughter delights in seeing my reaction to her tucking into a box of Fruity Pebbles (not the Whole Foods healthy version either). But my reason for writing this post about a kind flexitarian is because I was invited to a private screening of the recently released film, At The Fork. It’s a beautifully crafted documentary about exactly how animals are raised for human consumption in America. It is non-judgmental, sensitive, and deep - really DEEP. The filmmaker/director John Papola is a meat-eater, and his wife, Lisa, is not. The film opens with John’s family tearing into huge racks of beef ribs, hot off the grill - an annual family tradition. His wife loads her plate with veggies. Husband and wife make clear their individual stances on meat-eating, and off they go to explore how our meat is produced. I brought my meat-eating (only about once a week if that, cos I’m hard on his case), husband to the screening. After the film we stayed to participate in the panel, where John Mackey, the CEO of Whole Foods Market (who was involved in the film), sat with the director and producers to answer questions. We then went out for a fantastic vegan meal!!! So, what was my main takeaway? The film made me cry a number of times. They feature a lot of pigs. I love pigs, and because I was raised around them, I know that they are highly intelligent. The film also made me laugh - there were some beautiful and very funny moments. Unlike so many of the meat-bashing documentaries out there (designed to turn everyone in vegans overnight), this film doesn’t bash anyone over the head. The director John, is brazenly honest, and openly discusses his struggle about forgetting the suffering he might have just witnessed at an appalling factory farm, once a few days have gone by - and especially when faced with the smell of a delicious burger or steak on the grill. His wife is devastated by the fact that he seems not to have the same lasting sense of compassion as she does - and this conflict runs throughout the film. I like that it’s not resolved either. This makes the film more appealing to a way larger audience, which is the intention. No point preaching to the choir, right? I love the fact that Temple Grandin is in the movie throughout. She’s been a huge advocate of designing compassionate slaughterhouses - an oxymoron I KNOW, but one that she explains in great detail. If the animals are going to be killed, at least don’t put them into abject terror on their way. I think that was the most upsetting part of the film: seeing how terrified the animals were as they were separated from their herd and shoved into crowded trucks headed for the slaughterhouse. Incidentally, the director doesn’t show any animals actually being slaughtered in the movie - a wise decision because we stay watching, rather than turn away. This is not a horror movie! The panel was very interesting. Here’s something that I didn’t know about John Mackey: He used to eat meat (and clearly sells it in his markets). But, he is now vegan. In an interview in Men’s Journal, he explains: “I became a vegan in 2003, after a woman interrupted the Whole Foods annual meeting to tell us how bad ducks were treated. We had a big argument, but then we started an email correspondence and she challenged me to learn more. That summer I probably read a dozen books on animal welfare. What shocked me the most was the phenomenon of factory farming – animals endure terrible lives of abuse and suffering – and it’s hidden away. After reading the books, I knew too much to keep eating meat. Remember The Matrix? Take the blue pill or the red pill? I didn’t want to go back to sleep.” But he also acknowledges that only 1% of the population are vegan, so to run a viable business on the scale of Whole Foods Market, he had to continue selling meat. To this end, he has spearheaded the 5-Step Animal Welfare Standards label. He explained to us that not only does this allow customers to really understand how the animals they are buying were treated, but it also encourages animal producers to get kinder and cleaner. They can all charge top dollar for a Step 5+, so they are starting to make big changes. This brings me to my final thought in this discourse. If you want to be a kinder flexitarian, and eat/buy meat that is good quality, and from an animal who hasn’t suffered for its entire life, you will have to pay more. Organic, humanely-reared meat is very expensive. I see this as a positive because Americans eat way too much cheap meat. This kind of mass meat consumption is linked to all the number one killer diseases, and inflicts untold suffering on the animals involved - a big LOSS for all involved. I think it’s time to open our eyes. At The Fork certainly helps pull back the curtain on the unpalatable truth. I highly recommend you try to see it. If it’s not playing near you, they will help you organize a showing for your community, school, church or neighborhood. And, finally, why not join the their 21-day challenge. All you need do is sign up with your email, and they will send you a daily plant-based/higher welfare recipe from all kinds of celebrity chefs, as well as shopping guides, articles, and more. You can also like the At The Fork Facebook page. I also encourage you to try some of the plethora of plant-based recipes on my blog. – This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website. from food4 http://ift.tt/29ZYVXF via bastelanna.jimdo.com from Tumblr http://ift.tt/29LFY7q via bastelanna.jimdo.com
For a long time my partner and I (mostly I) struggled with the amount of sex we were having. We are in a monogamous relationship. He is male. I am female. I know what you may be thinking- that he wants more sex than I do. But actually that’s not the case. We are both extremely happy and fulfilled in our relationship. We just don’t have a lot of sex.
And this used bothered me because, like many people in monogamous relationships, I fell into this trap that we should be having sex this many times a week. And we don’t. So even though we were happy, I felt like we were failing in this aspect of our relationship. “The amount of sex varies from person to person. Really what a couple needs to look at is what they are trying to get out of it,” sexologist and sex educator Dr. Timaree Schmit PhD told me in a recent interview. This really interested me because honestly I’ve never looked at it that way. Dr. Timaree went on to explain that instead of trying to simply compromise the amount of sex you are having, it would better serve a couple to actually consider the needs and even goals of each person. To think about what sex actually means to you. She went on to say, “if the goal is getting off, you can get off by yourself and your partner could still be present, if the goal is physical intimacy then maybe you want to do massage or cuddle or spend time together or maybe it’s about being validated and feeling attractive, in which case they can tell you that.” So instead of putting lots of projections on the amount of sex you are having or comparing yourself with another couple, Dr. Timaree says it’s is much more affective to look inside and consider what you really want. And yes, this requires lots of communication. Crazy idea huh? Seems like taking the time to consider what sex really does for you, how it fulfills you and why you crave it can shift a couple from feeling the pressures of having a certain amount of sex to simply trying to express and get their needs met. But also it’s important to remember two things. First, “sex” doesn’t need to mean just intercourse. Just because a couple isn’t having intercourse doesn’t mean they aren’t having sex. It’s so easy to get fixated on this act (especially in the case of straight couples as opposed to same sex couples) but in reality there are many other ways to receive pleasure. Second, just because your friends may be having sex with their partners way more than you doesn’t mean they are having better sex. The amount of time, connection, passion and communication can vary greatly. “It’s really quality over quantity in this case.” Dr. Timaree reminds. When I started to think about my own relationship I realized that I hadn’t been considering it from these angles. Our needs are met in so many ways beyond sex. From affection, to deep communication, to play time, to compliments, to pressing our heads together with our eyes closed just for the fun of it, we connect in many ways. So the next time you get caught up on the amount of sex you are having in your relationship take a moment and consider what needs you actually have (both sexually and otherwise) and all the ways they could be met. Sometimes a little perspective can change everything. Want to explore this more? Click here to learn about an upcoming intensive with Dr. Timaree and myself in the Philadelphia area called Sexual Being. – This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website. from food4 http://ift.tt/29YWdyZ via bastelanna.jimdo.com from Tumblr http://ift.tt/29LyLYO via bastelanna.jimdo.comWe are a mobile society and whether traveling for leisure or work, eating on the road presents myriad challenges. Some examples:
Any of these challenges can lead to choices about when, what, and how much to eat that leave you feeling stuffed, tired, and regretful. Mindful eating provides a simple approach that’s flexible enough to withstand the challenges of eating while traveling. Let’s start with the basics. Mindfulness is simply paying attention to the present moment, on purpose, without judgment. It is an ancient practice with profound and practical applications in modern society. Mindfulness is finding its way into many aspects of our work and personal lives. At Am I Hungry? Mindful Eating Programs and Training, we’ve used mindful eating principles for the last seventeen years to help clients and employees resolve reactive, habitual, and mindless eating patterns that lead to short and long term problems. Nine Mindful Eating Tips for Travelers
Michelle May, M.D. is a recovered yoyo dieter and the founder of Am I Hungry?® Mindful Eating Programs and Training that guides individuals to resolve mindless and emotional eating and senseless yo-yo dieting to live the vibrant life they crave. Over 600 health professionals have been trained to facilitate Am I Hungry? Programs worldwide. Dr. May is also the award-winning author of the book series, Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat. – This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website. from food4 http://ift.tt/29YWh1D via bastelanna.jimdo.com from Tumblr http://ift.tt/29Rvjtl via bastelanna.jimdo.com
30 Day Walking Routine To Lose Weight (Download PDF) http://ift.tt/1N6AhS5; from fit5 http://ift.tt/29YlVDF via bastelanna.jimdo.com from Tumblr http://ift.tt/29R1IR2 via bastelanna.jimdo.com
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These workouts will help you target every muscle fiber in your body. Build shape and strength to prevent injuries and change your body shape! @askdeniza from fit5 http://ift.tt/29YlTeY via bastelanna.jimdo.com from Tumblr http://ift.tt/29R1l8P via bastelanna.jimdo.com
How Much Movement Does It Take to Burn Off Calories? from fit5 http://ift.tt/29YlZ6a via bastelanna.jimdo.com from Tumblr http://ift.tt/29KyAXG via bastelanna.jimdo.com
Skinny Vanilla Ice Cream – just 78 calories + nearly 8g of protein! It tastes exactly like what you’d get at an ice cream parlor, not healthy at all! from fit5 http://ift.tt/29YlVn9 via bastelanna.jimdo.com from Tumblr http://ift.tt/29R0Xrb via bastelanna.jimdo.com
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AuthorMichelle Meyers, a well-know physician, author, and professor of physical therapy at the University of Kentucky, published analysis for both the layperson and for educational on fat loss nutrition topics, including gluten-free, low-carb and paleo. Archives
February 2017
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