One method of preserving mental functioning..

To keep your brain at its optimal functioning level regardless of changes the years have caused you should be selective of your attention. Attention is a process most vulnerable to aging. Focus your attention on things that you want to learn and remember and minimize distractions.





Eight more tips to follow daily at later dates.

Spring fever

Spring fever is a term describing several sets of psychological and physical symptoms associated with the rebirth of spring. Generally it relates to spurts of energy,vitality and some appetites. From mid March to mid April
one could experience weariness, dizziness, joint pain, weariness and lack of energy.

The hormone balance may play a part in this -the changeover puts a heavier strain on the body thus creating tiredness. Cause , yet to be resolved.

A "Tree Nut"

Green husk over brown walnut shell

Walnuts are very intriguing. They are shaped like the skull and contain hemispheres. Walnuts are a tree nut with high density nutrients, especially proteins and essential fatty acids. The walnut fruit is enclosed in a hard green husk which is inedible. The nuts must be processed and stored very carefully and properly at -3 - 0 degrees C. Never eat a spoiled walnut.

Fact ??

Studies have yet to find any precise connections between antioxidants and cancer or any other disease.

Unfortunately it has not been proven so perhaps eat a well balanced diet.
There are  times that there is a slightly higher risk of dying in people who were given extra high doses of Vitamin E on a daily basis or higher risk of lung cancer such as  may occur when given extra high doses of beta carotene. Vitamin C doesn't seem to raise or lower either risk. As for most vitamins: they are harmless in low doses.

The Essence of Brain and Body fitness..

The perfect way to preserve your brain is to begin preventative measures early -like middle age
(never too late) : Make the effort...

• Exercise 30-60 minutes a day
• Lose exess weight
• If coffee does not make you jittery, drink a couple of cups a day
• Keep your blood pressure down
• Remain socially engaged
• Get plenty of brain stimulation
• Take sufficient Vit. D
• Eat more fish
• Eat more green leafy vegetables
• Don't expect alot of protection from vitamin B's and E's

Fibres differ....

Many people think that we should eat more fibre but they don't know why.There is the assumption that all fibre is the same.But some fibre lowers blood sugar and other fibres lower cholesterol& some for regularity. Those differences did not matter so much when all of our fibre was intact and unprocessed from foods like whole grains, beans, vegetables and fruits since usually has a mix of fibres.
Now companies are adding isolated fibres which are purely purified powders to frozen desserts, yogurts, juices, drinks and other foods that have always been fibre free-why? Nobody knows...

A handful of peanuts...

A perfect snack-nutritious also low sugar and delicious..

10 top excellent nuts
(most favoured by the people and nutritious)

Almonds, Cashews, Peanuts, Walnuts, Brazils, Pecans,
Macadamias, Pistachios, Chestnuts, Hazelnuts

Choose, You lose !

Beware of items that state"No added sugar" Many juices, canned fruits, etc.
They come with sugar.
Check the list of nutrients and ingredients to be on the healthy side.
You will see this health claim on many popular items.

Choose, you lose!

Eight major food allergens

Any protein from anyone of the listed allergens below:

• Egg
• Milk
• Fish-eg. bass ,flounder
• Tree nuts-eg. almonds, walnuts
• Wheat
• Peanuts
• Soybeans
• Crustacean shellfish-eg.crab,shrimp

The rules say that a manufacturer only has to list the "top eight allergens".

Not included in the "eight" listed -if you have any other allergens,

you had better check the food label also. If the product contains the comment -

"natural flavour" you had better contact the food company to find out what flavour is- the company wants to protect their reputation so they are quite happy to provide you with this information.

Keep your waist and your weight under control

I (Hippo) have made some changes in my diet in the last year and I do
feel better for it. I have cut down on my fruit juices and soft drinks. Instead, I drink more water and unsweetened coffee in moderation and green tea . I eat fruit and vegetables in place of my juices. I have also cut down in my saturated fats, trans fat and I eat more healthy desserts (I love dessert) skim milk in my coffee instead of cream. I eat nuts and only vegetable oil (olive oil) when cooking,(unsaturated fats). I consume much less of refined grains and sweets and eat more whole grains. Red meats, processed meats, sausage, ham, and wieners are off my menu and I have replaced them with poultry, beans, and seafood. and don't forget to exercise or walk briskly 30-60 minutes daily.

Be brainfit

I suggest that what is good for the heart, is also good for the brain. Take a class in aerobics as it is a great first aid kit to damaged brain cells. When you do exercises make an attempt to do them in the morning.

It will help prepare you for the mental stresses you will have to deal within a day. Have you ever tried juggling? Take a coordination class eg. dancing . Circuit workouts are sometimes the solution or try your bicycle.."Our identity, our hopes,our emotions, everything we love comes from the amazing little organ -2-4 pounds -It's who we are"

All this fitness will lead to mental fitness

Eating "food" brings health benifits

Develop some good basic eating habits:

1. small portions
2. no second helpings
3. dine with others
4. Enjoy your food
5. do not snack

6. if you are going to eat healthily you will have to cook-create some great tastes

Problem is:
One day some things are good for you, next day they are bad, then good for you and so it goes...
Avoid products that make health claims and stick to eating food. Any item that has a health claim on the package is being marketed to you.

Fundamentals of healthy eating

Last Saturday at the cafe some of us were sharing the ways we plan and prepare our grocery list for the week."Seahorse" and "Unshelved" said that they have been sloughing off in their planning and preparation of each of their meals, so I offered to helped them with a basic plan. They took me up on that immediately.
So they began using my guidelines. I told the "fellas" that the first steps will be to follow by my plan until they feel confident enough to develop their own version or adapt to my set of guidelines. The list begins with

Rule #1. Eat food but not too much. (green plants)
        #2. Eat food (food spoils)
        #3. Avoid health claims
        #4. Choose food with familiar ingredients
              (short list)
        #5. Remember, plants are good for us
        #6. Attend a Farmer's market
        #7. Learn to cook
        #8. Pay more, consume less

Health claim example

       Tomorrow night , I will share the next steps.......

Yogurt-one of the top health foods

I (Hippo) was taste-testing different types and different brands of yogurt today. Also during testing I noted the ingredients on each container. Many yogurts are similar and then there are others that appear great on the surface and then when more closely examined the sugar or sodium content or fat content is perhaps out of kilter for what you require. Protein amounts are also to be noted and cholesterol.

Several ways that yogurt is a top health food:

1. It is known that yogurt is easier to digest than milk.
2. Yogurt contributes to colon health
3. Yogurt is good for the young and the older person.
4. Yogurt can boost immunity.
5. Yogurt is a rich source of protein.
6. Yogurt is a source of calcium.
7. Yogurt can decrease yeast infection.

Here is a myth: All foods made with yogurt are created equal-" No Not so...."
Always check ingredients and nutritional  properties.  eg.  sugars , sodium , cholesterol, fats,  protein , calcium etc.

Hippo's trip to the Beauty Parlour or Medi Center?

??

It was quite a day yesterday. I was at the school for hairdressers yesterday(this is where people get their hair done by a student.) I had a lovely young lady do my hair and we did have an enjoyable time. I have very fine hair and it is somewhat difficult to manage and does fly about at times. My hairdressing skills are nil.
The hairdresser student asked me what colour of rollers they used the last time at the hairdressers-I said I haven't got a clue but she decided to use grey coloured rollers. I agreed.  Now, these students get checked by one of many  supervisors each step of the way. A supervisor came along to check my hair do before it was combed out.
At this point the Supervisor informed me that I had a thyroid problem. I said I was well aware of my thyroid problem. I have only had the problem for thirty years. She then said to the student and I that she had had a regular client named Mary and Mary's hair was exactly the same way as my hair. So she sent Mary to Doctor to tell him that she had a thyroid problem. The Dr.  said that hairdressers should look after hair and he would look after health or sickness. In the next breath the Supervisor said to me that I had no immune system so I should tell the Doctor. I said "do not worry, it's under control-I take pills to lower my immunity." She said well if you would listen to rest of the story-You would know the verdict could be bad.. so then she said two weeks later- Mary died and that was it.... true story...When the supervisor left us for moment I felt so sorry for the student hairdresser but we each had a wee giggle so she knew I was not cross. The supervisor came back to me and said could I come next Sat. at the same time for a "roller do" with green rollers, free of charge with the same  student. I said of course, I would be delighted.
I am not sure if I was at the Hair dressers or the Medi Center.. Before one makes a diagnoses of someone, one should be sure they have full qualifications to do so.

Hippo shares her favourite top foods for your brain...

 Blueberries,Almonds, Nuts & Seeds,GreenTea, Dk.Chocolate + more=Healthy Brain 

If you know Hippo, then you will be aware that her favourite of all the Brain foods would be "blueberries." These berries improve your motor skills and learning capacity. So pop a 1/2 cup of berries daily on your yogurt or in your smoothie. "Almonds" run a close second and are known to improve brain function. "Green tea" in amount of 2 cups daily boosts your dopamine level, helps in creating positive moods and smooth muscle function. One small square of "dark chocolate" a day will get those endorphins just a hopping. And last of all this evening "nuts and seeds". They are an excellent source of Vitamin E and have been known to lessen the incidence of cognitive decline.

Brain Fitness with a Holistic twist

Wild salmon is the most inconceivable food for brain health. It also passes with flying colours in all other areas of health. Wild salmon has shown to contain the highest levels of great nutrients that the brain and body crave. Even if it is sometimes economically "a little stretch", you and your body and brain are worth it. For the next 4 days Hippo will speak of the top 5 Brain fit foods. Some will be surprising to you and others not so..... Tomorrow PM I will tell you all about the cacao bean.

Invitation to....... Open House @ "SAGE"

You are invited to attend the Open House @ SAGE @ 15 Churchill Square, Edmonton

on Thursday, March 8th, 2012 between  1PM - 4PM
That is where "Hippo" spends alot of time during the week. There will be lots to see .. and learn about all of the programs being offered. Hope to see you there.

Physical Education for Brain health.

We need to exercise our brain just like going to the gym for our bodies on a regular basis. The point is that we must work hard to sustain our crucial abilities in order to provide a foundation for the person that we really are..If it's is good for the heart to exercise, then it's also good for the brain.

Strive for "High"

When you finish your education, keep on learning new items and activities. The brain keeps developing, no matter what age you are but the brain will reflect on what you do with your brain. The point of having a brain is to learn accurately and to accommodate challenges of new environments. New neurons once they appear in your brain will stay only as long as your brain  treats the new neurons with challenges of new events and activities and learning tools. 


It's really up to you !

Remember Friday and Saturday Nights off....

Make sure you enjoy a little socialization this weekend....

Brain maps... and the Aging Brain

Like all older machines, undergoes slow physical deterioration. As we age the problem the brain experiences is similar to someone that would experience in recording awe-inspiring music from a radio that was sounding rather gravelly and not quite tuned in to the station.

Another way of saying the above statement, as we age our "brain maps" slowly lose their fine details. if we
let them, our maps might be slowly deteriorating , to a person then becoming aware of  having only rural roads and or country lanes instead of the Queen Elizabeth || (formerly Hwy. 2) .  
                                    


Good news about this topic tomorrow PM.