Passion and good health - business and pleasure

Written by Rick Maltin

Today's blog is more about passion and interest than brains or youthing. I read somewhere (or was told more likely) that a blog is more interesting if it's about something I'm passionate about and let the cards fall where they may. Well I'm sure passionate about several things – nature, youthing, health, fitness, Ducati motorcycles, history, science, good living, cooking and flowers. So pick one – OK its spring – that's FLOWERS.

I grow several hundred (150 actual count plus many out in the field) potted flowers in pots on 3 decks of my home. I've been out there on Sunday's (after that fast and rubber burning spin on several mountain roads) in the afternoon working on my botanical friends. I have about a 60 % return rate for the plants. That means that 60 % of the annuals and perennials keep blooming so I only need to replace 40 % each year. This is not scientific as each year the number of new plants should approach zero.

This year my emphasis is Roses! I have 12 medium to large Roses including 4 Double Delights – if you are not familiar with them – well you just haven't lived! Just glorious! It's a 'double' because in addition to a brilliant flower their smell is the essence of Rose.

I do have one unique Rose – It's a climbing rose (yellow) that is having a passionate affair with an Oak tree. I get 100's of blooms 70 feet off the ground. Pictures to follow.

All this does a few youthing things for me – Activity – I haul, carry, push, bend, stretch, walk up and down stairs (2 at a time) and do lots of hand eye coordination. I make it a point to THINK (brain exercise, brain fitness) and STRESS (exercise) as I work and do nothing that is a short cut.

I drink lots of water and sometime tea (brain food) and have my iPod with Mozart (for the Roses) playing loud! I'm sure this helps me in business and wellness activities and adds to my fitness for the road. I know I get up on Monday in full spirit and know that good health is a business tool.

Mature Brains are different

Written by Rick Maltin

Grown Up-Brains is top on my reading list - and I will review when done.

There is an excellent interview with Barbara Strauch in today's New York Times and the on the article blog has many good comments and additions. Barbara was also interviewed recently on NPR (Fresh Air - Terry Gross) - all very good stuff. And these discussions open some new doors about mature brains.  

Brain food, brain fitness and brain exercise are comming of age. It (brain health) has become a focus of Youthing Essentials - it's one of those myths that is changing (i.e. 'senior moments'). We seem to have accepted that our brains age negatively and the truth is more that our brain don't age but MATURE and brain power is applied differently.

Yes our brains do age like our bodies age but there are things we can do - if your interested see the Times and get involved. As a first easy step understand the links for exercise, diet, nutrition and attitude have on your brain fitness.

Good posture is good health

Written by Rick Maltin

'Sit up straight and stop slouching!' I know these words from across the table. It's Mom pestering advice. At the time it just annoyed me and I thought this admonition had a lot more to do with appearances than anything else. Well now guess what – it really did something for me! According to a recent study in the October 2009 issue of European Journal of Social Psychology researchers discovered that how we sit and stand influences how we feel and behave. Now good posture is good health – we all know that. But not slouching may make us feel better. Me – I sitting up straight and my mom is proud!

Salt Control

Written by Harriet Diamond

Salt-good or bad for your health?

Here we go again about listening to health reports that are advocating “reduce your salt intake”.

Well, I agree with that because daily intake of products laden with salt will cause problems, for example, you will see swelling in your legs and retention of water. Not to mention the effect on stress and blood pressure, it’s a good idea to consider in an integrated wellness program.

Unfortunately, when salt is consumed, sometimes women take medication of water pills

which play havoc with your system and sometimes cause you to feel dizzy and unbalanced. The flip side is that you then have some weight loss because of the water pounds.

But let’s make a change. Buy “lite salt”. A big improvement and it still contains important iodine for your body. I’ve been using it for years. It’s part of my healthy aging strategy.

Once again, if we only use salt in moderation we are fine. And getting used to less salt truly makes no difference in taste after a week of doing it. You will actually prefer the difference.

But again, this is a new habit, and it is one step at a time. Bottom line, be mindful. Pay attention. Think about what you are eating throughout the day.

Brain toys versus brain power

Written by Rick Maltin

Brain Games or Brain Power?

There has been many reports recently about brain games and do they really have any significant benefits. They way I see it there is a spectrum of brain activity that ranges from off the shelve toys (with impressive marketing hype) to real brain research and help for people with medical mind issues. As consumer we need to be able to separate the wheat (real brain food) from the chaff (toys). Please look at the ‘science’ and brain research behind the product. Youthing Essentials has done some of this for you – CogniFit. And please don’t expect either short term results or winning a Nobel Prize next year. They do work but it’s all part of the process of ‘integrated wellness’ and healthy aging.

Popcorn is good food

Written by Harriet Diamond

Changing to healthy ways-one step at a time.

I love my popcorn treat and started changing how I now make it. .

I’ve always believed popcorn to be a healthy snack and so at the office I had it in the office for employees.

What I like about it, it’s a good source of fiber, low in calories, and let’s face it easy to make (three minutes or less with a microwave, and its all in a big bowl).

But did you ever read the label. What you will see is that it is filled with artificial flavors, sodium and fat. Not good. Another way is needed. And so I changed a habit to a new one.

This Christmas, I purchased an air-pop machine that uses kernels. I add lots of spices to make it tasty, especially garlic, grated parmesan cheese, and Mrs. Dash. As you can tell by this website, I like things easy to use, so I find even using a pot, olive oil and kernels, is too much work. The popper is great and easy to clean too.

With that said, excuse me, it’s munching time so I’m off to make a bowl of popcorn, all for myself.

Some info about health benefits of corn:

1. A good source of many nutrients including thiamin (vitamin B1), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), folate, dietary fiber, vitamin C, phosphorus and manganese.

2. Excellent for cardiovascular health, and its contribution to heart health lies not just in its fiber, but in the significant amounts of folate, a B vitamin good for important metabolic processes in the body.