Wellness Wednesday

Many people have struggled with the issue of keeping weight off once they have lost it.  An article from Time reveals that the techniques used to lose weight are not the same as those needed to maintain the weight.  According to the article, the following four strategies are the most effective for weight-loss maintenance:

Eat a diet rich in low-fat protein

Follow a consistent exercise program

Reward yourself for dieting and exercising

Remind yourself why you want to keep the weight off

The researchers from the study believe that it is the overall mindset of the individual that predicts success.  In order to keep the weight off, "people have to start focusing on long-term, permanent lifestyle changes and behaviors."  After taking off weight, one cannot return to the same lifestyle choices that put the weight on in the first place.

Quote for the Day

"Let there be justice for all. Let there be peace for all. Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all."

~Nelson Mandela

A Confession

I am a recovering consumer.  Despite what I write on this blog, such as the various shopping fasts I embark on, I'm no different than anyone else.  At various times in my life, I have treated shopping as a hobby.  


After reading about my and Shona's shopping challenge (and for other personal reasons), Adrienne at Rich Life on a Budget has decided to cease and desist from shopping for the months of July and August.  In one of her posts, she does a thorough job of dissecting the reasons for and triggers behind her shopping habit.  I recommend you read it to help understand your own shopping habits.


Since last year, when my Lenten vow was "not a cent for Lent," I have paid careful attention to my decisions to buy things and have pinpointed the main culprits that feed my desires:  visiting malls, watching television, and reading magazines.  These influences introduce me to all kinds of things I didn't know existed and yet somehow find myself with a strong "need" to buy them.  However, over the last two years, as I've gone on these shopping fasts, I have also weaned myself off the very things that cause me to have the desire to shop.  


Part of one fast was to not purchase magazines at the checkout line at grocery stores.  The headlines always grabbed my attention (as they're designed to do) and I'd find myself tossing one or more on the conveyor belt with my groceries.  Once home, I'd dig into the articles that I thought were essential reading, only to be disappointed.  However, in perusing the rest of the magazine, I would end up making long lists of "must haves" that I would hunt down on the internet and in the malls.  Of course all the splashy colors and artfully arranged displays at the mall would entice me into the stores and I would find myself handing over my credit card before I knew what hit me.  Television also seemed to encourage my desire to shop as the advertisements and shows introduced me to products and trends that I would otherwise not have known existed.  So eliminating the temptation at the source was the key for me.


But eliminating shopping as a hobby in order to save money and reduce the clutter in our lives is just part of it.  Our excess actually harms people and the environment.  Another blogger, Vivienne, points out that not only do most people own far more clothing than they even wear (and don't look good in most of what they do wear), they are supporting sweatshops.  We are able to have vast quantities of clothing because it is inexpensively made through the sweat of modern day slaves.  Is that what we really want to do?  In addition, all the materials, manufacturing, and shipping that is involved in making clothing degrades our environment and depletes our natural resources.  Again, is it worth it to own the latest fads that will be replaced next week?


I could write volumes about the negative consequences of the consumerist mindset.  So I'll focus on the positives of rethinking your shopping habits:  money saved; a clutter-free home; peace of mind; reducing environmental destruction; and alleviating human slavery.  All good, n'est pas?

(Photo source:  www.sxc.hu)

Wellness Wednesday

As I'm a bit late getting my Wellness Wednesday up today, I'm just going to share a short health tip.


According to the April 2011 issue of Health, walnuts are not only good for lowering your LDL (bad) cholesterol but also help ease stress.  A Penn State study reveals that walnuts, which contain alpha-linolenic acid (not found in other nuts), may help lower your blood pressure and thus your ability to react better to stress.  Just don't over do it as nuts are also high in calories.

Freedom and Duty

A couple of weeks ago I got a summons for federal jury duty.   Whenever one gets such a notice, everyone's reaction is almost always the same:  "Ugh!  Is there any way you can get out of it?"  I have to admit that my first reaction was one of annoyance.  Receiving such a notice means that my life will be disrupted.  With federal jury duty it is even more inconvenient as one is on call for six months.  However, I immediately felt guilty about my response.  Partly because I have served on juries in the past and I know it isn't really that disruptive.  Secondly, I realized that should I ever find myself on trial, I would want people like me to be seated in the jury box.  Finally, I know that our legal system cannot function without citizen participation.


After this past weekend's celebrations and discussions about Independence Day and all that it means, coupled with the controversial jury verdict in the highly publicized (and televised) Anthony trial, I got thinking about what it means to be a juror.  Since I don't have a television and, more importantly, because I wasn't on the jury in the Anthony case, I have no way of knowing whether or not justice was served in this particular case.  What I do know is that this is the system that our founders gave us.  When we are accused of certain crimes, we have a right to be tried by a jury of our peers.  And as citizens, we have the duty to serve on juries.  Freedom in this country means both privileges and responsibilities.  I think many of us forget the part about responsibilities.


I wonder how many of those who were most vocal in declaring the freedoms of our nation or those who cried foul over the verdict in the Anthony case would cheerfully and gratefully receive a jury summons.  And would do everything in his or her power to make sure to fulfill that duty.  Or would they be like many of us, desperate to find a way to avoid such an inconvenience?

Quote for the Day

"When liberty comes with hands dabbled in blood it is hard to shake hands with her.”

~Oscar Wilde

4th of July

I have a hard time with the Christian church around this time of year.  All the flag waving and talk of being a "Christian Nation" just gets under my skin.  While I am extremely glad that I was born an American and am able to receive all the benefits attached to that accident of birth, I do not believe that Americans were somehow singled out by God and that we are more blessed than other nations.


One blog post that I read recently pointed out there are two Sundays that Christians should not attend church:  the Sunday before Memorial Day and the Sunday before Independence Day.  The author then went on to point out how most Protestant churches have abandoned one holiday that they should be celebrating:  All Saints' Day.  Part of observing this Christian holiday is remembering the martyrs of the Church, those that gave their lives, and were often brutally tortured, for the furtherance of the Christian faith.  


The fact that we are now in three (or is it four) wars - wars against peoples who did nothing to our nation - should give us even less reason to celebrate this national holiday.  Our nation fought a war against our original homeland in order to be free from tyranny.  The current wars are neither wars to help free a nation, as the French did for us, or to prevent war on our land, for we are the aggressors in these wars.


Although I recognize and appreciate all that the founding patriots did to help establish our nation, I do not believe that the church is the appropriate setting.  William Sloane Coffin once wrote, "All preachers worth their salt need fearlessly to insist that 'God 'n' country is not one word."