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Connection as an Anti-Depressant

Mina and Me, on a walk in the Berkeley HillsI want to share something: I LOVE walking… pretty much any time, any where. In the U.S., people spend a lot of time alone. And I used to spend a fair amount of time walking alone, even though I generally prefer to be accompanied. One time, I took a trip to Mexico to spend time with my (now ex) husband’s family. There, and in many other countries and cultures, most people spend very little time alone. I found this a little odd, but rather pleasant, as I’ve always been gregarious and I appreciate company. If I walked to pick up fresh veggies at the corner market, one of the relatives would walk with me. If I had to do any other errand, someone would offer to accompany me. And I always said yes. I got used to this and enjoyed the walks quite a bit.

Upon my return to the U.S., I resumed my walks, and the first time I was walking alone, I observed something profound. My mind happened to take a little unhealthy detour — something related to worry and seeing things from a negative and somewhat twisted perspective. I caught it, and noticed it. I thought, “That’s funny; I haven’t had that kind of thought lately. I wonder why not, and I wonder what elicited that just now.” I followed the train of thought back, and knew that this kind of thought had not been a completely uncommon occurrence for me… particularly while walking, so I wondered why it seemed unfamiliar to me all of the sudden. And it came to me: I realized I had not been ALONE for a while. I had not been walking ALONE for quite a while.

As a Spanish Medical Interpreter, I had interpreted for several psych appointments for depressed and other mentally ill patients. And I began to reflect on the CULTURAL differences between depression and other mental illnesses and treatment for such HERE in the U.S., and in Mexico. And I learned at a deeper level one of the most important Principles of healthy, happy, longevity: Connection. When you are WITH people a LOT, you may feel a little imposed upon, (oh darn!) but there are built-in checks and balances when you start to think and say things that are not true and objective, like negative thoughts and perspectives that don’t take into account the positive aspects of a scenario or the ability to resolve difficult dilemmas by obtaining community/family support and not being left solely to one’s own devices (which are sometimes woefully inadequate). “Your problem” becomes/is “our problem”. “Let me make you a good meal and that will help you feel better.” See, a lot of times people get into a negative spiral here in the U.S. because they get a little out of sorts and then they don’t have the energy or focus to do good “self-care”, so they get worse because they have inadequate nutrition or they stay up too late, don’t shower or get dressed or get out, etc. Each of those things happens because they are not fully integrated in a community. The brain then functions worse and worse. If there are people around, they can and do help reverse a spiral, or elevate a person enough to keep them from plummeting.

If YOU see what I’m saying here, and have your own experiences which corroborate this concept of the importance of “Connection” to mental health (which plays out statistically), then please join me at http://TheBluePrintForLife.com It is my mission (Purpose) to help bring the wholesome lifestyle of the world’s Longevity Hot Spots to the United States. I could use your help. The BluePrint for Life includes: Nutrition, Movement, Relaxation, Connection & Purpose. Thank you!!!

Inflammation Reduction Complete Protocol

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INFLAMMATION Reduction
Here are practical ways to reduce inflammation in the body (skin, brain, joints, etc… it’s all attached). Inflammation is not always bad. It’s a vital process. But CHRONIC inflammation is harmful, and that’s the one to combat.
Inflammation is the painful component of arthritis (symptoms include pain, swelling, red coloration to the area, and sometimes loss of movement or function), and may be a component of cardiovascular diseases. Can the foods you eat help reduce inflammation? Many experts believe it’s possible, so I’ll explain which foods are highly anti-inflammatory, and which foods exacerbate inflammation.
Online articles to reference:

http://www.chicagonow.com/clean-convenient-cuisine/2010/09/best-and-worst-top-10-most-inflammatory-and-anti-inflammatory-foods/

http://nutrition.about.com/od/dietsformedicaldisorders/a/antiinflamfood.htm

First: Drink at least 12-16oz of pure water every morning upon arising, 20 minutes prior to consuming anything else. Many people of the world’s long-living cultures add the juice of 1/2 a fresh, organic lemon.

Single supplements:

For acute inflammation (chest cold, sinuses, sprained ankle, poison oak, etc), sip water with Vitamin C powder added throughout the day (to bowel tolerance, as it will loosen the bowels). Now that much of Vitamin C comes from GMO sources, it is recommended to find a GMO-free source. You may include willow bark on your list of natural anti-inflammatory agents (the basis of aspirin). Personally, I occasionally have used bromelain (pineapple enzymes from the core) and turmeric. I keep both on hand. Bromelain works for headaches, but so does a simple acupressure move. Do not use bromelain long-term (daily for longer than a week at a time).

The articles cited above list foods that cause or aggravate inflammation, and list foods which have an anti-inflammatory effect. If the full-tilt-boogie anti-inflammatory diet seems like too extreme a change for you, then I recommend that you simply pick 3 of the foods to emphasize and 3 of the foods to avoid, and just try those few, simple changes at first, but do it whole-heartedly.

For example, I always think of blueberries, filberts (hazelnuts), and pineapple (on an empty stomach) when I want to reduce inflammation. And salads, in general. And I think of sugary, fried, and processed foods as causing inflammation. With just those few things in mind, it makes a pretty big difference to simply add 3 and avoid 3.

Superfoods:

Akea Essentials is the most micro-nutrient dense of the anti-inflammatory foods. It is highly alkalinizing: Click here to see the ingredient list: I use it every day, as it has helped me with chronic inflammation of the skin, joints, lungs, etc. Akea Essentials has over 30 of the world’s most powerful superfoods (nutrient-dense foods), all grown organically in the U.S. and fermented, meaning plenty of additional super-healthy probiotics, which can help squelch the fires of inflammation in the gut. It contains only 44 calories per serving, and 2 grams of protein.
The vast majority of chronic illnesses begin with inflammation in the gut, so Akea Essentials is the best preventative and restorative I know for cancer, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Click here to order.
So far, Asantae makes Akea, and only ships to the U.S. and Canada, so if you don’t live in the U.S., try the international shipping option on the Affiliates page of OrganicsForFree.com. Or the next option.

Salad made with anti-inflammatory foods: Put some variety in it, for sure, but a DAILY SALAD is the single most effective lifestyle change available internationally to make a huge difference in decreasing inflammation.
Add some sauerkraut, or kim chee or organic yogurt daily to your diet to get your fermented foods. THIS is one amazing secret of the world’s happiest, healthiest, longest living people. And guess what — most of them don’t have much access to (or need for!) doctors and pharmaceuticals. Hmmm….

Mila is the most macro-nutrient dense of all anti-inflammatory foods, and I still have some available in stock. If you want a little extra plant-based protein (3 grams per serving) & Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids (3,000 mg) & 5 grams of fiber, this is a very good product. Message me directly for purchase: TBergenn@PowerSourceUnlimited.com This food must be consumed with a lot of water, so if you hate drinking water, do not use this product. It is also a little pricey, but it does a lot for you. It can even work for pets’ inflammation! If you want a 1/2 price type of organically-grown chia seed, I sell that, too! Just message me.

Foods To Eat:

Fats and Oils. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in cold-water oily fish, chia, flax (flax has some toxins and is often GMO, so I don’t recommend it), and pumpkin seeds. Consumption of monounsaturated fats found in olive oil, avocado, and nuts, has been linked to reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Other healthful oils include rice bran oil, grape seed oil, and walnut oil.

Fruits and Vegetables. Whole fruits, berries and vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants and phytohemicals. Choose green and brightly colored vegetables, and whole fruits. You should eat at least five (and preferably more) servings of fruits and vegetables each day. (Akea Essentials provides 5 additional to your daily dietary intake.)

Protein Sources. Possible anti-inflammatory protein sources include lean poultry (turkey best), fish and seafood (fatty fish offer protein as well as omega-3 fatty acids). Fermented soy foods such as miso and tempeh, along with other legumes and nuts and seeds can be used as plant-based protein sources.

Beverages. Your body needs water. Drink filtered tap water when possible — I use an Aquasana water filter system (and as an affiliate, can get you a reduced price) — but sparkling or bottled water, or unfiltered tap water if need be, is far better than getting dehydrated. Herbal tea, especially green tea, is great. Freshly juiced vegetables & fruits, and organic kefir (if you cannot tolerate organic milk) are other options. Many people find milk inflammatory. Organic milk works fine for me. Please don’t drink any bottled or canned juices or sodas when you are trying to reduce acute inflammation, due to the acidifying effects and sugar content.

Foods To Avoid

Loading up on junk foods, high-fat meats, sugar, and highly processed foods may increase the potential for inflammation in your body. Reduce your consumption of trans fats and saturated fats by cutting back on highly processed foods, red meats, and high-fat processed meats such as bacon and sausage. Cut back on refined white flours in bread and pasta (look for 100% whole-grains instead). Eliminate added sugars by decreasing your consumption of sugary sodas, pastries, candy, rich desserts, and pre-sweetened cereals.
Whenever you DO eat these foods, include light green, juicy veggies like hearts of romaine, celery, or cucumbers, which will alkalinize your body and counter the worst effects of inflammatory foods.

Another possible source of irritation and inflammation comes from the nightshade family of plants, which includes potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplant. These vegetables contain a chemical alkaloid called solanine, which can trigger pain in some people. While there aren’t any formal research findings that back the claim about nightshade plants, some people do believe they get relief from the symptoms of pain and inflammation when they eliminate them from their diet.

Anti-inflammatory Diet Tips

Choose fresh foods more often and choose fewer heavily processed foods. Here are some tips:
For breakfast, try oatmeal served with fresh berries and walnuts.
Snack on whole fruits, nuts, seeds, and fresh vegetables instead of cookies and candy.
Eat more fish and less fatty red meat. Eat meat as a treat, or as a condiment, and only organic.
Cook with olive oil for low temperature cooking, and use coconut oil for medium & high temperature cooking.
Choose eggs with Omega 3s.
Have a salad with lots of fresh vegetables as your meal.
Stay away from deep-fried foods; bake, broil, poach or stir-fry instead.
Choose dark green or brightly colored vegetables as side dishes — they should fill half your dinner plate.
Drink water, organic milk, 100% fresh vegetable/fruit juices, herbal and green tea instead of sugary sodas and soft drinks.
Maintaining a healthy weight also appears to be helpful for reducing pain and inflammation.

Movement/Rest — this is an important dialectic to get right. Both are needed. Alternate throughout the day. Don’t overdo either. No obsessive exercise. No couch potato. Get 6-8 quality hours of overnight sleep, on a regular schedule if possible. Meditation & Prayer work. Yoga and/or stretching provide restful movement. Walking is the #1 movement to combat inflammation.

Connection — Stress acidifies. Uplifting, supportive connection lightens the load in more ways than one — it can alkalinize the body.

Purpose — You have to “get out of your self”. Don’t dwell on the pain & inflammation, nor let it define you: Attend to it, and also attend to your life’s work, your important service to the world and its people.

Getting a sense that all this could be impossible alone? You’re right. But you can do it. Join our Longevity Community — there is an online and an offline dimension! Call to schedule a free, 5-10 minute Longevity Community Questionnaire.

T. Bergenn
President, Power Source Unlimited
Longevity Consultant
510-292-9976
Connect with us on Facebook! http://Facebook.com/PowerSourceUnlimited

The Long Road to Simple Blessings

Here is a reply I wrote to a heart-wrenching story that a good friend posted on The BluePrint For Life online social network, a community of people who value holistic living.

This BluePrint community is extensive, as it traces back to our longest living elders on the planet, and the diets and lifestyles that got them to that status. This community embraces the “homesteading” lifestyle of fermenting organic foods, walking and cycling, resting, praying and meditating, staying connected with family and friends, and living one’s Purpose with a passion… which taken together… is at once cutting edge and old-fashioned!

Not everyone who embraces this lifestyle even KNOWS yet about our online social network… so if this describes you, SIGN UP.

Here is my profile in the community. I look forward to seeing yours.

And here is the original story from the NYTimes

Exemplary Elder Ernestine

Exemplary Elder ErnestineErnestine Cohn is one of those people you want in your Longevity Community.  She might not like that I happen to know her age, which is an additional reason for me to be a special cheerleader and fan of hers, but here’s the deal:  she is tracking GREAT for longevity, in part because she stays SO positive, and does her business with that depth of commitment to service that you don’t often find in modern times.  Ernestine’s aim?  Her “Purpose”:  PROTECT WHAT YOU LOVE.  Some people’s “Purpose” is very faith-based, other people’s purpose is family-based, others is career-based, and some purposes are based on a passionate hobby.  I can help you identify YOURS.

Ernestine makes a practice of regular long walks — in fact that is how I originally met her over 3 years ago — on a local Walkers MeetUp.  And I just RE-met her last week on a Walkers MeetUp.  I remembered her well because we naturally hit it off on that first walk and talked the whole time!  (If you’re not a woman, HINT:  That is a GOOD thing!  Lol) Ernestine is the sole owner of Robinson-Cohn and Co. Insurance Agency, licensed since 1980.  www.InsurU.com

Looking through our lens of the 5 elements of longevity, peek at Ernestine:  Even though she walks regularly, she scored herself in the mid-range on “Movement”.  She is also a GREAT “Connector”, and yet scores herself in the mid-range there, too.  She scores herself a little higher on Purpose, but this woman is ON FIRE for her Purpose of helping people protect what they love through the proper insurance coverage.  So when she scores herself higher on Relaxation and Nutrition, one can only imagine.  Again I will remind you, that this woman is a community ELDER!  So, if you are wanting to get to know a woman who is seasoned in the interpersonal dimension of life and full of energy, whether to partner with her in walking, or in business, or in our Longevity Community… not to mention in romance (!)… then hey… come on one of our Longevity Community Walks, or join your local Walker’s meetup!  You never KNOW who you might meet — and you’ll knock out TWO longevity elements in ONE activity — Connection, and Movement. =^)

They COME, so YOU don’t have to GO.

GO.   Go shopping.  Go get the best organic produce.   Go drive and create emissions.  Go use gas.   Go wait in the grocery store line.  Go and miss time with your loved ones.  Go and miss a call you were waiting for.  You get the point.

So to COMBAT all this GO, GO, GO… call G.O. — Guerrilla Organics!

I met Mark Deutsch and Martha Matsuda in around 2003.  About one year prior, their business Guerrilla Organics indeed started organically.  Mark Deutsch began this company in 2002 when he moved to San Francisco from St. Louis.  Going to a local organic foods store to stock his refrigerator, Mark was shocked at the cost ($200!) for two bags of groceries which contained mostly produce.  Going to San Francisco’s Wholesale Farmer’s Market, Mark bought something affordable – a box of potatoes.  He shared his potatoes with housemates and friends, who told other friends, who wanted in on the deal; someone else asked if he delivered.  Thus was born Guerrilla Organics – a small organic produce delivery business that still operates guerrilla-style… but now in Oakland, Berkeley, SF, Daly City, & Pacifica  http://guerrillaorganics.com/html/boxes.html

The cool thing for me, personally, is that Mark invented and patented the most amazing musical instrument, called a Bazantar.  He plays mesmerizing, heady, transformative music that can deliver you into a new consciousness.  And Martha shares her passions in a unique and fascinating art form — Butoh dancing.  So they support their performing arts habits by slinging local, organic produce.  They are SUPER consistent in their organic produce delivery and they are particularly enlightened and spiritually developed people… made it a very easy decision for me to switch to them from my previous “Box” delivery service.  I think participating with arts and cultural events is an important Longevity Practice.  It can re-connect us with all of humanity, and also with our Purpose.  And gives us a vehicle to bond more deeply with our loved ones and friends.

Can you imagine how cool I felt when I realized that my organic produce delivery purchases would create proceeds that help 2 cutting edge community artists practice their crafts in the arts?  AND that staying with their services meant that I get an “organic” way to continue developing my own connection with that kind of people?

YUMM.

Schedule a Personalized Longevity Consultation

Longevity Community QuestionnaireGet READY!

You’re going to be treated better than you’ve ever been treated before!

By YOU!  And by your Longevity Community.

Four easy Steps:

1)  Schedule to take your free first Longevity Community Questionnaire with one of our trained Longevity Consultants within a week.  It takes only 10 minutes!  TBergenn@PowerSourceUnlimited.com  510-292-9976

2)  Receive our free offerings to boost your Longevity Profile.

3)  Decide which parts of the product and program to incorporate into your life, and join our Longevity Community!

4)  Repeat STEP ONE in 30 days, and again in 60 days, to see how much higher you score!  It really works!

5) Optional self-assessment on TheBluePrintForLife.com