The Best Diet for Life

(You need to ignore the date [above] and time stamp [below] for the next several messages. I opened a new post [on those days], and saved it for later use. I was busy editing the blogs from my recent trip, doing laundry, attending a couple of meetings, etc., and did not publish.... All week without publishing!! Now I am "filling in the blanks.")

From Parade, p. 11, in the Gaston Gazette, 8/16/09: The Best Diet for Life, by Dr. Ramit Misbori

"The Mediterranean diet is among the most highly recommended eating plans. But which of its components brings the biggest benefits? In a recent study in the British Medical Journal, researchers tracked 23,000 adults in Greece. They found that eating a lot of vegetables, fruits, nuts, and legumes (like beans and peas) had the greatest impact on increasing longevity. Also associated with a longer lifespan: consuming moderate amounts of alcohol and less meat. Surprisingly, a high intake of cereals and seafood had little to no positive effect.

"In related research, a study in the Archives of Neurology showed that the Mediterranean diet reduced people's risk of experiencing dementia or of its progressing. In a group of adults with no dementia symptoms at the study's start, those who most closely adhered to the Mediterranean diet had a 28% lower risk of developing cognitive impairment. In a group that already had impairment, the people who best followed the plan had a 48% lower risk of getting full-blown Alzheimer's disease."

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Lorraine here to comment that my "vegan" diet is (in my humble opinion) a first-cousin to the Mediterranean Diet. Today (8/16/09), at Sam's Club, I bought a fresh pineapple, bananas, Fuji apples, grapes, bell peppers, organic mixed baby salad greens and organic baby spinach. I use quality cold pressed virgin olive oil, and quality balsamic vinegar, for my salad dressing (never a commercial product). I'd like to believe that my diet has reduced my risk of experiencing dementia!!

Weekend at Grandfather Mountain

12 noon Monday, 6/29/09, and Little Guy is unhitched from the KIA, at the apart-ment complex. "Little John" has been emptied and ready for another trip. Soiled clothing is in the hamper; trash is in the dumpster. With the exception of some laundry, we are ready for another trip.

Be it ever so humble---and cluttered---there's no place like home. I agree---and I disagree!! I sleep much better in my bed, in my apartment!! The mattress is comfortable in Little Guy but, each night, I always hear unique sounds and have unusual neighbors. Wherever I travel, I make new friends with fellow campers. ~~ It was so beautiful "on the mountain," I hated to leave. ~~

I was en route to Grandfather Mountain at 10 o'clock Friday morning, 6/26/09. It was a beautiful eighty mile drive. My only lament: I forgot my food!! When I walked out of the apartment, my arms were full. I set down the cooler full of salad, apples, bananas, and water, when I locked the door. I did all my last-minute check of lights, turn signals, etc.--and drove away. One-and-one-half hours later I suddenly realized my blunder!! I decided it was not worthwhile to retrace my route to retrieve my food. ~~ I parked the trailer on a free camp site across the highway from the meadow where the "singing" would take place. Then six miles into the tiny Grandfather Village for a few groceries. (A small prepackaged salad cost me almost $5.; by comparison my homemade salad was worth $15.!!)

Each day, I walked the meadow, and the campgrounds, and visited with fellow travelers. Good exercise; entertaining conversation!!

Saturday morning, 6/27/09, 8:51, I paid $13. admission and drove slowly up a narrow winding highway, around hairpin curves, to the Visitor's Center. I spent hours viewing the displays and watching two excellent films. I visited the large variety of animals in their natural environment. Later I traversed the remainder of the route to the top of Grandfather Mountain. The view is spectacular!! However, I remained on the parking lot side, I did not walk across the swinging bridge!!

After hours on Grandfather Mountain, I turned left when I exited the Park and slowly drove 23 miles, on highway 221, to the quaint community of Blowing Rock. Then 32 miles via highway 221/321 to Boone, and highway 105 for the return to Grandfather Village. Fifty-five miles total and a beautiful drive!! Back to my campsite at 5 PM. The evening spent near a fire circle with new acquaintances. My RVing neighbors had been coming to "Singing on the Mountain" for many years!! Campers were sharing information with one another since they had seen one another in 2008.

Sunday morning, 6/28/09, about 7:30, I positioned my folding chair at a good location on the meadow. Again, Praise the Lord, I met a new friend!! Throughout the day, a wonderful variety of gospel musicians and beautiful music!! Part of the morning I was bundled in a small blanket, wearing a sweatshirt and jeans because the wind was chilling. I don't know the temperature but mention this because later (5:00 PM) it was about 90 degrees, and very humid, when I stopped for a Subway sandwich in Morganton (off the mountain). FYI: I didn't shed my sweatshirt until late afternoon when I hitched the KIA and Little Guy for the return trip to Shelby (via highway 181 and 18). Home at 6:50 PM; total trip miles: 223. Three days: No computer, no television, no radio, no CD music; precious time for communion with my Lord. On the mountain, I felt so close to heaven!! I descended from the meadow elevation of 4300 to 869 in Shelby.

The Joy of Giving

It has been a very good day!! First, read the postscript on Monday, May 25th blog. Since noon, 1) I've unhitched the trailer, 2) showered and dressed, 3) loaded two boxes and a large bag into the KIA; and 4) delivered the door prize items (#3) to the local Senior Center. Yes, they were delighted!! At Office Max: 5) I researched the prices of the stationary items I'll donate to the Senior Center. At the market: 6) I purchased canned goods for the Senior Center's Food Pantry (because so many people requesting groceries). Fruit and veggies for myself: grapefruit, bananas, Fuji apples, avocado, bell peppers, and cucumber. (I already had organic mixed baby salad greens, and carrots, at home.) I'm enjoying a large delicious salad as I write this blog!!

Sunshine all afternoon but on the local TV evening news, they are telling about the "heavy and relentless" rain today, and dangerous "flooding." "One to two inches [rain] per hour." According to the weatherman, I will be experiencing more hard rain within the hour--and the tropical pattern will continue through the rest of the week.

I'm grateful that I delivered my donation, and bought additional food for myself. Also, especially noteworthy: Three empty cardboard boxes went into the trash bins here at the apartment complex!!

Copied from Care2makeadifference.
"Giving thanks can make all the difference in the world.
Gratitude raises your energy in a positive way and brings
abundance into your life and the lives of others."

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Postscript, 1:30 PM, Wednesday, May 27, 2009: Overcast, but no rain this morning. I went into town for more groceries (for the Food Pantry), and delivered lots of food, and office supplies, to the Senior Center. I barely got back home before it started raining (for fifth day in a row).

Feel-Good Fruit for Winter Blues

The whirlwind holiday season has finally passed, and now you’re feeling . . . sad? For a quick pick-me-up, grab a banana.

Not only do bananas help you think faster, but they help you think happier thoughts, too. That’s why RealAge experts Mehmet Oz, MD, and Michael Roizen, MD, recommend having a daily banana.

Mind, Body, and Soul Fruit
Eating a banana a day may help your brain cells communicate better and enhance the effects of feel-good neurotransmitters, such as serotonin. Antioxidant-rich bananas are also a great source of vitamin B6, a nutrient credited with helping guard against Parkinson’s disease.

Go Bananas
Need more reasons to eat bananas? Besides making your wits quicker, they’ll also: Reduce your risk of kidney cancer, and help keep your blood pressure steady because they’re full of potassium.

RealAge Benefit: Eating a diverse diet that includes 4 servings of fruit per day can make your RealAge as much as 4 years younger.

I'll be honest with you. I'm much happier now that the holidays are over!! The period between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day are the saddest days of the year for me!! So-o-o-o, Lorraine's saying let's go buy some bananas and have a happy, healthy day!! I enhance my vegan diet with vitamin-rich Max N-Fuze. You can read about N-Fuze at my web site http:/SeniorSecurity.MaxTrax4u.com .