Micro of the Macro

Why Is Sitting the New Smoking?

Sitting is more dangerous than smoking, kills more people than HIV and is more treacherous than parachuting. We are sitting ourselves to death. ~James Levine, professor of medicine, Mayo Clinic

If you’re like me, you’ve probably heard the phrase sitting is the new smoking for years without really understanding it. Regular exercise is important, as we all know. But why has sitting been compared to smoking, a habit often started while young, that, according to the Centers for Disease Control, harms almost every organ in the body and results in more than 7 million yearly deaths worldwide? Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death, the site states. That proclamation inspired an aha moment: the comparison is due to the vast number of resulting ill effects which can be prevented.

*Hoping these images motivate you to do some moving outside!* *(Sedona, AZ)*

From the Mayo Clinic, Research has documented that sitting for long periods of time is associated with a higher risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, depression and anxiety. Additionally, too much sitting leads to decreased hip mobility, tighter hip flexors, and weaker legs, the article says, setting the stage for falls in aging adults. Further, a sedentary lifestyle leads to a thinning of the part of the brain where memory is formed. Reading about all the harm I could be doing my body has motivated me to break up the time I spend sitting in front of my laptop.

*This big dude was surveying the lay of the land, maybe looking for a little lunch. (The Grand Canyon)*

But that’s not all. According to an article on Harvard Health Publishing, a newer study shows the more hours spent sitting at work, driving, lying on the couch watching TV, or engaging in other (sedentary) pursuits, the greater the odds of dying early from all causes. This applies even when the subjects exercise regularly. Pretty frightening, I’d say, especially with the constraints of covid that have dominated for almost 2 years.

*Looking over Northern Arizona from the San Francisco Peaks*

So why does prolonged perching result in so much damage? The Heart Foundation offers a few explanations: blood flow decreases, the possibility for blood clots increases, fat processing slows considerably, and insulin resistance becomes more likely. The Hydration Foundation offers another reason: the miles of fascia in our bodies, serving as connective tissue between all of our organs, joints, muscles, etc., also acts as our personal irrigation system. It’s up to us to hydrate (see last week’s post for more on that) and help our fascia move that water to all cells for their daily processing. When this is not done, our cells struggle and can malfunction, leading to the harmful/fatal effects mentioned above.

*Tree beauty on the edge of the Grand Canyon*

So, what to do? When you are unable to stand, moving your shoulders, neck, legs, & feet and stretching (see my post on favorite yoga poses, most of which can be done seated) are beneficial, because all movement contributes to healthy functioning. But whenever possible, break up your sitting every half hour with a few minutes of marching in place, walking, or some other activity to get your blood pumping and your internal water moving deep into your cells. This keeps your body happy and in active mode during waking hours, fostering prolonged good health.

*I love this twisted tree. If you’ll look hard to the left, you’ll see snow in the background – a first for me at the GC!*

Making daily efforts to move more and sit less not only adds years to your life, but also contributes to good physical & mental health for the present and future. The power to prevent many undesirable outcomes is in your hands. Whether you’re 25 or 85, don’t allow sitting to become your new smoking.

You can’t afford to get sick, and you can’t depend on the present health care system to keep you well. It’s up to you to protect and maintain your body’s innate capacity for health and healing by making the right choices in how you live. ~Andrew Weil, MD

Many thanks to our visiting family last week who gave us the opportunity to show off some of the immense beauty of this area! (And, some of these photos may have been taken by them, so thanks again!)

Kinetic Blessings,

Lisa

The content of this article is for educational and informational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with a qualified health care professional before acting on any information presented herein. Any statements about the possible health benefits of any subject discussed have not been evaluated by medical professionals or the Food & Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness.

Hydration – Does It Really Matter?

It’s a glorious, sunny day here in Arizona. But it’s dry. Always dry. As much as I dislike the humidity of the East Coast and the South, the dry cold (and heat) is a challenge for me as well. So as I write, I’m hydrating by drinking a huge breakfast smoothie made with lots of fruits, veggies, & coconut water.

Due to unfavorable experiences brought about by exercising in this climate, I have in recent years taken a deep dive into the science of hydration. During college, I read Dr. F. Batmanghelidj’s Your Body’s Many Cries for Water, and it made a lasting impression, with information on how chronic dehydration can result in high cholesterol, high blood pressure, pain, asthma, allergies, etc. However, since I hadn’t heard anything in the media or read other books supporting these ideas, I concluded that the body’s need for hydration couldn’t possibly be that critical. Otherwise, we’d all know about it. Right?

Wrong. Decades of studying human health has taught me that much of the information we most need is not very publicized or, if it does happen to make a media appearance, a campaign of propaganda is often initiated to cause us to believe otherwise. Many times this is done in the name of profit, and usually to the detriment of our health and environment. Or, the propaganda has been around for a lifetime and it’s really difficult to believe anything different. (Prime examples include the myths that we should all eat a high-protein diet and that dairy is essential for healthy teeth and bones.) Dehydration creates a great many problems in the human body, driving the need for pharmaceuticals, a trillion dollar industry.

You may have read other posts I’ve shared touching on why proper hydration is such a big deal. Our body is composed of more than 2/3 water. Each one of the mind-boggling number of cellular processes that occur within us requires water, according to Dr. Gerald Pollack, at the University of Washington’s Pollack Lab. Hydration influences our abilities to remember & feel energized, our cells’ capacity to clear debris vs. generate inflammation, and our power of creativity. (Check out my post Water: The Miraculous Molecule for more on these benefits.) It is essential for strong immunity, youthful aging, and proper cellular communication. It works to space blood cells, assisting with heart and kidney functions. It helps with elimination. And due to the fact that hydration helps the body run more efficiently, it also assists with weight loss.

Dr. Zach Bush, a triple board-certified physician, says that virtually all of us are chronically dehydrated. Pretty strong assertion, right? At his clinic in Virginia, he offers a device called a Phase Angle that measures the ability of cells to hold an electrical charge, which translates into an individual’s hydration level. Dr. Bush says typically, a patient’s results are less than 7 on a scale that tops out at 10, even those considered healthy. His cancer patients generally show a result of 4.5 or less, and those scoring nearer the 3.5 mark are usually close to death. And improvement is not something that happens quickly. A full year of committed lifestyle changes may increase your score by only 1/2 point. For me, this brings the importance of proper daily hydration to the forefront. Does it change your thinking?

My understanding of proper hydration has been broadened by listening to The Hydration Solution Summit from the Hydration Foundation and reading the book Quench: Beat Fatigue, Drop Weight, and Heal Your Body Through the New Science of Optimum Hydration coauthored by the podcast host, Gina Bria, and Dana Cohen, MD. Interestingly, Bria is an anthropologist who has studied desert dwellers to learn their hydration secrets. The lessons from the podcast and the book are most practical, like the fact that (most) fruits & some vegetables like celery & cucumbers are more hydrating than plain water; fresh lemon juice and/or Himalayan salt added to water mineralizes it, making it easier for our cells to absorb; and placing your water in a glass in direct sunlight supercharges it, upping its hydration capacity. The eight glasses of plain water a day that most of us believe we need is no longer the best recommendation, Bria says. This is due to decades of heavy chemical exposure and tap water being forced through less than ideal city water systems & home pipes.

Staying on top of your hydration needs is one of the best things you can do to assist your body with optimal function. If you’re suffering with health issues, there’s a good chance that getting and staying hydrated will help you feel better. You can’t always assume the media will share the health info that truly benefits you & your family. Don’t sell your health short: hydrate and thrive!

Blessings for Hydration,

Lisa

The original version of this post, entitled Hydration – No Really, was my first-ever blog post on WordPress, back in March of 2020. Thank you for reading (and if you’re reading for a second time, thank you for sticking around!)

Working Toward Oneness: Empathy for All

I’ve just finished Dr. Aysha Akhtar’s book Our Symphony with Animals: On Health, Empathy, and Our Shared Destinies. I had seen it referenced in other books I’ve read this year, and assumed reading it would be akin to reading poetry. How I came to that expectation, I’m not sure, but it was most inaccurate; the author writes about animal & child abuse, the deplorable conditions of factory farms, and how violence toward animals is often commonplace for serial killers. The information is vital, the kind of knowledge that each of us should posses, but it’s hard not to wince at the recurrent brutality presented.

If you have men who will exclude any of God’s creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men. ~St. Francis of Assisi

*My little climbing friend who believes the contents of the bird feeder are just for him! I think he enjoys entertaining us, too*.

Dr. Akhtar has examined studies and done her own research on the direct correlation between savagery toward animals and violence toward humans. In the chapter of her book entitled The Making of a Murderer, she describes face-to-face conversations with Keith Jesperson, a man serving life in prison due to the rape and murder of 8 women. Prior to the age of 10, Jesperson’s father encouraged and praised him for killing animals. He estimates that he clubbed to death thousands of gophers, sometimes with his dad laughing & recording the attacks on video. Later, he moved on to strangling and stabbing domestic animals when they didn’t act in accordance to his will, and poisoning a flock of about 50 birds for soiling his truck. Dr. Akhtar’s chilling accounts of these & other stories from Jesperson’s upbringing demonstrate a young mind being primed for murder.

Psychologist Frank Ascione, an authority on the connection between animal cruelty and other violent acts, says animal abuse may be part of the history of between 25% and 66% of hardened criminals. A propensity for violence is common for those carrying out the sanctioned killing of animals, as well. According to the university paper Slaughterhouses and Increased Crime Rates, areas with a high number of slaughterhouse workers have more than twice the problems with crime than areas with none. In her book, Dr. Akhtar shares quotes from past and present employees of slaughterhouses that reveal the extreme attitude of indifference they had to develop during their job of stabbing or beating animals to death. More and more studies are showing that compartmentalizing such apathy is not possible: it spills over into our personal lives.

The worst sin toward our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them: that’s the essence of inhumanity. ~George Bernard Shaw

*A beloved Aunt in Montana* *shared these cuties*

Animal Clock is an organization that was created to bring attention to the incredible number of animals currently suffering on factory farms. According to their calculations, over 42 billion animals have been killed for food in the US alone so far this year, including over 8 billion chickens, 23 million ducks, 36 million cattle, and 124 million pigs. Dr. Akhtar writes, If there is a trait that truly distinguishes us from other animals, it’s this: No other species is as capable of self-deceit as humans. We ignore what affronts our worldview. We disbelieve what we can’t ignore. We rationalize what we can’t disbelieve. “These things happen. They’re necessary. It’s not as bad as we think.” And most dangerous of all, “it’s normal.”

The animals of the world exist for their own reasons. They were not made for humans any more than black people were made for white, or women created for men. ~Alice Walker, American novelist & social activist

Our empathy is divided: the thought of eating our beloved pets is outrageous, but a slab of flesh from another species is a different story. Many of us still buy products that have been tested on lab rats. We purchase leather items, never pausing to think of the animal who unwillingly donated that skin. It is important to realize all animals are sentient creatures: they love, experience joy, support each other, learn, get excited, mourn, and console as needed. By purchasing meats and other animal-derived products, we disregard their endearing, human-like qualities and cast a vote for continued violence.

Our Symphony with Animals shows that animal abuse is often found along the same path as human brutality. I believe Mahatma Gandhi was spot-on when he said the greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. Holding ourselves accountable for respecting the lives of all animals could be the panacea for reducing overall violence.

Blessings for Empathy,

Lisa

Nature’s Supreme Design

Is it your face
that adorns the garden?
Is it your fragrance
that intoxicates this garden? Is it your spirit
that has made this brook
a river of wine?
Hundreds have looked for you and died searching
in this garden
where you hide behind the scenes.
But this pain is not for those who come as lovers.
You are easy to find here. You are in the breeze
and in this river of wine. ~Rumi

I started taking an online gardening course a few weeks ago, and the new learning has inspired an abundance of thoughts on the attributes we share with plants, including an ultra-intelligent design. In their work of supporting other forms of life, including ours, plants breathe, age, make hormones, reproduce, and employ highly developed means for adapting to environmental conditions. The overarching theme here at Micro of the Macro is recognizing our oneness with Nature, and in this post, I want to share a few specific thoughts on the ways in which we imbibe this intelligent design we’re so blessed to inhabit.

In the spring, we had our backyard landscaped. Tiny plants were placed in the soil, so small that I thought they would need a couple years before growing large enough to really add to the aesthetics. Although they are irrigated daily, I didn’t notice much growth until our monsoons started. And even though the rains were light this year, the plants shot up, sometimes inches a day. I’ve never seen anything like it! Nature’s watering system seems to be the preferred moisture of our green, rooted friends.

Unfortunately, we are already dealing with plant-decimating pests. Robin Wall Kimmerer’s book Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants reveals how pests were controlled by Native Americans prior to the advent of pesticides. (Learn a bit more about her beautiful book in this post.) The secret was The Three Sisters: corn, beans, and squash planted together, surrounding other plants; various bugs were attracted to the sisters and attacked each other, leaving the plants to thrive. I don’t believe most modern-day landscapers consider such methods. And the current widespread farming practice of mono-cropping attracts pests for the singular crop planted, making pesticides necessary. (This brings to mind a beautiful documentary I’ve recently watched, called The Biggest Little Farm. If you are a grower, you’ll find its lessons most practical.)

In addition to light, water and protection from pests, plants also need carbon, oxygen, & hydrogen; primary and secondary nutrients like potassium & magnesium; and macro- and micronutrients like nitrogen & iron. It is due in large part to their nutrient requirements that they benefit us internally. The effects on our bodies of eating plants is totally different than eating processed pseudo foods. The reason for that is the huge number of microbes we host. About 99% of our genes are their genes, according to Drs. Justin & Erica Sonnenburg from Stanford University School of Medicine. Most of those microbes reside in our guts and control much of our thoughts on food and, therefore, the possible consequences of obesity and disease. Our microbes flourish on real, unprocessed foods, and when they are happy & healthy, so are we. But when we eat processed foods, the microbiome population is altered adversely, resulting in unhealthy cravings. And I’m sure you, like I, have battled unhealthy cravings at some point! (For more on these ideas, check out my post Little-Know Weight Loss Strategies.)

In our external environment, plants help manage the continuation of life on the planet. Jim Robbins, author of The Man Who Planted Trees: Lost Groves, Champion Trees, and an Urgent Plan to Save the Planet, writes that plants absorb not only carbon dioxide, but also various other pollutants that might otherwise end up in our lungs. The root system of trees can render harmless toxic wastes, and their trunks and canopies help control the distribution of flooding rain and searing heat. They generate over 100 chemicals that benefit not only their own species, but also animals, including humans. Plants are vital to our existence. Their ongoing destruction in the name of progress is paradoxical and shortsighted. How much more green life can be destroyed before the reduced oxygen supply and increased unabsorbed pollution and carbon affect us directly? Could it be that our bodies, much like our environment, are already struggling from the harmful changes brought about by these practices?

Man is the most insane species. He worships an invisible God and destroys a visible Nature, unaware that this Nature he’s destroying is this God he’s worshipping. ~Hubert Reeves, Canadian Astrophysicist

Reading over the paragraphs I’ve written, I can’t help but notice a common thread of human arrogance. What prompted us to decide that human intelligence is superior to that of other life forms? Why did we feel the need to turn away from the old ways, those of honoring and respecting Nature that Native Americans and other indigenous peoples practiced?

The intelligence of all of Nature is astounding, and we are privileged to be a part of it. Keeping in mind our shared design can go a long way in changing paradigms and ensuring our existence for future generations. Our very lives, and those of our children, depend on it.

Blessings for Recognizing Oneness,

Lisa

Escaping Normal

Two roads diverged in a wood and I took the one less traveled . . . And that has made all the difference. – Robert Frost

With many hardships of the pandemic still looming, I think a great many of us would like to escape our new normal. Would you agree?

I recently watched Into the Wild, which is based on a true story. I had never seen a preview or read the book, but fell in love with “Society” & a couple other songs from the soundtrack, sung by Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam, and knew I had to see the film. A Rolling Stone journalist wrote that the songs temper the romance of absolute freedom with an eerie foreboding. A perfect description.

The movie, written and directed by Sean Penn, documents the cross-country journey of a young Emory University graduate, Christopher McCandless, after having given up most of his savings, credit cards, and other worldly possessions. During his travels, his heart is flung wide open by beauty, simple living, and some of the colorful characters he meets. Spoiler alert – the movie does not have a happy ending. But if you have ever escaped, or longed to escape, what society considers normal, the spirit of the movie will move you.

Life shrinks or expands in proportion with one’s courage. – Anaïs Nin

Before I left my home in South Florida years ago, I desperately wanted to escape. I didn’t know what I wanted to do or where I wanted to be; I did know that it was something and somewhere else. I had lost the job that was my primary source of income. My 5-year romantic relationship had ended. My best friend (of over 15 years) and I had stopped talking. And my favorite (husband & wife) ministers were moving over a thousand miles away. I shared with a Buddhist Monk Energy Healer that I felt the cornerstones of my life had collapsed. He suggested these painful changes were preparing me for a huge shift in my life’s trajectory. He couldn’t have been more accurate.

*The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge*, *just north of Taos*

There is a universal, intelligent life force that exists within . . . as a deep wisdom, an inner knowing. We can access (it) through our intuition, an inner sense that tells us what feels right and true for us at any given moment. – Shakti Gawain

After a few months of depressed isolation and subsisting on Merlot & Häagen-Dazs, I had an epiphany: the Universe MUST have a better plan for me. That insight opened my heart and inspired my determination. Because the idea of traveling had always appealed to me, (and frankly, I didn’t know what else to do) I decided to sell my home and almost all my possessions and hit the road. Once I made that decision, however, I was terrified. I couldn’t even talk about it without crying. I knew in my heart that it was right, but I wrestled with fearful thoughts most days and nights until leaving. Thankfully, once I embarked, a feeling of tranquility came over me almost immediately. The spirit of travel was revealed to me, and a ubiquitous sense of gratitude swelled inside me.

*The untamed beauty of Northern New Mexico*

On this path let the heart be your guide
for the body is hesitant and full of fear. – Rumi

My first extended stay was in Taos, New Mexico. I had read about the wild beauty of Taos Mountain, sagebrush, buttes, and canyons, and I longed to see them for myself. Staying at a hostel, I met a group of people of various ages and backgrounds who felt like family after just a couple weeks. That group included a Vietnam Vet from New York who listened to a lot of Grateful Dead. There was a gal from Oregon who was taking a break from college. I met a 30-something guy who lived in a teepee nearby and got around on bicycle. I shared a dorm room with a Texas lady who was fleeing a life that had spiraled out of control. (I’m happy to say we are still friends today.) And, there was a young girl who had fled San Diego after learning her boyfriend had cheated & smashing his car windows. Like a family, we all shared food, rides, ideas, stories, and music. During the day, we explored Taos Ski Valley, the Rio Grande Gorge & the Mesa; drove the Turquoise Trail & visited Durango; and checked out art galleries, unique shops, & the farmers market. In the evening, after sharing meals, we would sit around a fire pit, stare into the mesmerizing flames & savor the sweet smell of the smoke, while one or more of us played guitar. It was a soothing balm for my sense of brokenness.

*The Mesa, thick with delightfully-scented sagebrush*

For three years, I would continue my journey on the road, staying in hostels, with friends & family, in community, and in my tent. I wintered in northern Florida, and during warmer months, visited California, Washington, Maine and most states between. I hiked hundreds of miles, experienced the love and healing power of Nature, and shot thousands of photos. I explored spectacular mountain ranges, witnessed extraordinary trees, discovered vast fields of wildflowers & breathtaking waters, and often found myself close to wildlife. I learned to love the ascent of a mountain and appreciate geography and topography in general. I met friendly strangers from many countries and learned to cook new foods. And when my big road trip was over, I felt wholly rehabilitated.

I resonate strongly with Christopher McCandless’ story. The beauty, education, kindness, and healing I experienced while traveling permeated every aspect of my being, changing me forever. Escaping the normal life I once had was the best decision I ever made.

Blessings for the Unorthodox,

Lisa

The original version of this post was first shared in May of 2020. Thanks for (re)reading!

Rice & Beans Soup with Fresh Oregano

About once a week, I make what I call a kitchen soup (shortened from kitchen sink soup because it just sounds better!) Fresh farmer’s market finds, veggies that have gone unused from earlier in the week, extra cooked grains, leftover fresh herbs, and sometimes beans go into the mix. Spices are chosen that will accentuate the ingredients, and, voila, a new concoction is born! I don’t make note of the ingredients unless the soup is over-the-top tasty. This recipe is the result of a super tasty one.

I love black beans and rice, and I love soup, but none of the recipes I’ve seen (or tried) for combining the two have appealed to me. So, I am grateful to the recipe developers, who shall go unnamed, that inspired me with the idea of creating my own!

Not only is this soup delicious, it has many health-giving properties as well. According to a write-up on Web MD, black beans are loaded with fiber, antioxidants, iron, folate, and magnesium. Eating them regularly may help in preventing various cancers, protecting eye health, reducing heart attack risk, and even controlling weight and cholesterol. Further, a Healthline article reveals studies have shown that if people eat black beans with rice, the beans can reduce the rise in blood sugar compared to when people eat rice alone.

According to an article from Medical News Today, oregano has been used as an herbal remedy for centuries for treating many ailments, including colds, indigestion, asthma, and diarrhea. Studies show that the herb contains a host of antioxidants, and has anti-bacterial and anti-cancer properties. The article goes on to say that oregano may also be helpful for depression, cramping, allergies, diabetes, and arthritis. It’s a powerful little plant!

Sweet potatoes, I’ve found after years of reading many different sources, are one of the most beneficial foods around. From the informational page on sweet potatoes at The World’s Healthiest Foods website, one difficulty in describing the health benefits of sweet potatoes is knowing where to begin. I eat them regularly due to their rich content of fiber, Vitamin C, many B vitamins, potassium, and beta carotene. I also appreciate the fact that they’re anti-inflammatory and good for my gut in various ways. Not to mention, they are sooooo flavorful! If you’ve been buying the same type of sweet potato for a while and they don’t seem as sweet as before, try a different kind. After sampling a few varieties, I’ve landed on a new favorite: the Japanese sweet. Biting into a morsel of sweetness while eating this spicy soup is sure to make you say mmmmmmmmmm!

I’d love to hear if you give the recipe a try!

Yield: 6 Servings

Ingredients (use organic and/or non-GMO when possible)
2 tbsp avocado or olive oil
5 med cloves garlic, minced
1 med yellow onion, diced
3 stalks celery, sliced
1 large carrot, sliced
1 med-large Japanese sweet potato, peeled & med diced
1 jalapeño, seeds removed & minced
2 cups home-cooked or one 15 oz can black beans, partially drained
1/4 tsp turmeric
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
*3 bouillon cubes
*6 cups water
1 med zucchini, med diced
2 tbsp fresh oregano leaves
1 heaping cup cooked brown rice
salt to taste

*You may sub 6 cups broth for the bouillon & water, if you’d like.

Directions
Warm the oil over medium-low heat in a heavy-bottomed soup pot. Add the next 6 ingredients (garlic – jalapeño.) Stir regularly to prevent garlic from burning and cook for 10 minutes. Add beans and seasonings (turmeric – crushed red pepper) and stir while cooking for 3 minutes. Break up the bouillon cubes over the veggies & add the water, increasing heat to a quick boil. Bring down to a simmer for about 7 minutes, until veggies are firm-tender. Add zucchini & fresh oregano to simmer for 5 minutes. Finally, stir in the cooked brown rice and salt to taste. Allow to warm through, about 3 minutes more.

Serve alongside a green salad with avocado cubes & diced red onion seasoned with salt and fresh lime juice. Enjoy!

Scenes from a Hiking Trail

Are you looking for a little family adventure while you’re not yet comfortable with a return to full-on traveling? Maybe finding a new trail to hike in Nature’s exquisite surroundings can satisfy that yearning while inspiring a little awe. From prior posts, you know that I love hiking, and I thought it’d be fun to share a few of my favorite trail scenes.

Canyonlands National Park, near Moab, Utah, is one of the first parks I visited in the American Southwest. I’ve heard it called the Little Grand Canyon, and at the time of my visit, it was one of the least-visited National Parks. From various trails, I saw unforgettable colored canyons, interesting rock formations, various wildflowers, and trees with roots growing up to a foot above the ground. There was even a big, bushy flowered plant that smelled like chocolate cake! (If ever I learn its name, you can bet I’ll be planting a few around my house!)

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn. ~John Muir

Mt. Rainier, Washington’s tallest peak, topping out at 14,411 feet, is about 60 miles south of Seattle. The region around the mountain is thick with evergreen trees and wildflower meadows, and has several rivers running through it. Weather in the area is generally rainy, but I was fortunate to catch a couple days of sun and royally blue skies.

*Sand dunes behind the vegetation, with the Rocky Mountains in the background*

In southern Colorado, much to my surprise, I saw sand, and lots of it. Great Sand Dunes National Park encompasses 30 square miles of sand dunes, including the tallest ones on the continent, reaching heights of 750 feet. The area also has its share of 13,000 foot mountains, creeks, cedars, spruce trees, vibrant wildflowers, and diverse wildlife.

Southern California’s Mojave Desert is host to the Joshua Tree (see more about that & other uncommon trees here.) This tree always makes me smile, due to its formation: sometimes stick straight, but most of the time, twisted with branches going willy-nilly. The surrounding shrubs, sparse multi-colored wildflowers and heaps of small boulders are a perfect backdrop. If you like deserts, this one is a beauty, but be sure to take lots of water!

*Grazing Bison along the Snake River, Wyoming*

Ansel Adams, the American landscape artist and environmentalist, gifted us with an amazing photograph of the Grand Tetons overlooking the head waters of the Snake River in Wyoming. This breathtaking area is home to lots of amazing wildlife. During hikes there, I saw wolves, moose, bison, elk, and deer.

The red rocks of Sedona, Arizona, are one of my favorite winter hiking spots. High temperatures are usually in the 30’s or 40’s, but at 4000 feet in elevation, the bright sun and low humidity always make it feel much warmer. There are various rock formations with names like Snoopy Rock, Coffee Pot Rock, Chimney Rock, Bell Rock, and Devil’s Bridge. The red earth is dotted with vivid green in the form of oak shrubs, sugar bush, junipers and cypress trees. Nature’s striking contrast of colors could be a reason this area is so popular with tourists.

Hiking can be a thrilling experience offering magnificent beauty and an opportunity to feel closer to Nature. The scenes I’ve witnessed on hiking trails have awed me, and serve as constant reminders of just how incredible our planet is. At a time when pandemic uncertainty prevails, exploring new hiking trails may be the perfect family adventure.

In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks. ~John Muir

Blessings on the Trail,

Lisa

Water: The Miraculous Molecule

For a substance that seems so simple, there appears to be no end to the functions and benefits of water. Many have written about it through the ages, including poets, artists, explorers, statesmen, philosophers, and spiritual leaders. They’ve addressed water as our source, as the driving force in Nature, and as a metaphor for the whole of humanity. Presently, research on the universal solvent may in fact be more popular than ever. I have touched on the value of water in a few posts, including the ideas of viewing it for inspiration, breathing it to enhance immunity, drinking it for help with looking & feeling younger, and consuming water-rich food and drink to assist with weight loss. I’ve also shared health benefits of being near a waterfall and at the beach. Water, whether in our bodies or in our environment, is truly miraculous.

The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever. ~Jacques Cousteau

Over 70% of our planet is covered in water. Microscopic plants that live in the sea, called phytoplankton, produce a great deal of the oxygen we breathe and help support the life of all other ocean animals and plants, according to an article from the Davidson Institute of Science Education entitled The Real Lungs of the Earth. Huge assignments for such tiny sea creatures, wouldn’t you say?

*Another kind of sea creature, off the coast of Newport Beach, California*

A Senior Research Scientist at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dr. Stephanie Seneff, theorizes that water (in its structured form) is responsible for the ushering of protons into our cells, causing the pH balance of organelles to be altered, making possible functions such as energy production and cellular clean-up. Debris that is not removed from our cells can cause inflammation, a part of many disease processes. Dr. Zach Bush, internationally recognized health educator, says that almost all inflammation is the result of dehydration.

*Mirror Lake, Yosemite Natl Pk, California*

You could be forgiven for concluding that (biology) is all about proteins and genes embodied in DNA. This is only a form of shorthand; for biology is really all about the interactions of such molecules in and with water. ~Phillip Ball, Physicist & Science Writer

Lisa Mosconi, who has a PhD in Neuroscience and Nuclear Medicine, writes in her book Brain Food: The Surprising Science of Eating for Cognitive Power that our brains are composed of about 80% water, and every single chemical reaction therein involves its molecules. Lack of proper hydration, she says, causes the brain to shrink, setting the stage for Alzheimer’s Disease. I have discovered recently that when my memory is not at its best, eating & drinking substances with a high water and mineral content quickly restores my ability to recall. See this link for my write-up on proper hydration.

*Sunset over Lake Mary, Northern Arizona*

In a TEDx talk, Gillian Ferrabee, Director of the Creative Lab at Cirque Du Soleil Media, equates the idea of water in our fascia with our flow of imagination, consciousness, and creativity. (I’ve also read other sources that have broached the subject of water as consciousness.) Ferrabee says when she and her fellow creatives are blocked, they dance it out! Dancing (or any kind of movement, actually) helps distribute water within the fascia network of our bodies, and this increased flow prompts new ideas, she states. Could be a fun solution to a case of writer’s block!

Water is in many ways responsible for life on our planet, both its origins and its continuation. It blesses us with a myriad of health benefits, regardless of how we receive it. Whether viewed through the eyes of a poet, explorer, or spiritual leader, the miraculous nature of water cannot be denied.

Rocks and waters are words of God, and so are men. We all flow from one fountain Soul. All are expressions of one Love. ~John Muir

Miraculous Blessings,

Lisa

6 Favorite Inspiration Primers

Inspiration is God making contact with itself. ~Ram Dass

In various reference sources, the definition of inspiration is first described as the act of drawing air into the lungs. The term is further defined as a divine influence on expression. The opposite of the term, expiration, refers not only to exhaling, but also the cessation of breathing, or death. I find these implications pretty profound, don’t you?

A publication on Research Gate shares a review of scientific studies on inspiration. Writers, artists, and other creators have long argued that inspiration is a key motivator of creativity, the paper reads. Over the past decade, scientists have tested and found strong support for these claims. I just love when science confirms pieces of time-honored wisdom that make life more meaningful!

According to the Harvard Business Review, psychologists Todd Thrash and Andrew Elliot have identified three foundational aspects of inspiration: spontaneous evocation, transcendence over self-serving concerns, and motivation to actualize a new idea. Further, they say, the heights of human motivation spring from the beauty and goodness that precede us and awaken us to better possibilities.

In the spirit of enhancing the beauty & goodness that precede us, I want to share 6 of the best ways I know for priming the heart and mind to receive inspiration.

Start each day by reading something inspirational or closely observing beauty in some other form. Even if you, like me, wake up thinking of your to-do list, redirect your thoughts of doing and immerse yourself in being in an aesthetically pleasing manner. Cognitive researcher and psychologist Nancy Etcoff says that beauty inspires and motivates us.

Attend an art exhibit or museum. Viewing the works of creatives, whether local or world renowned, not only brings more beauty and interest into our lives, but also has a way of returning focus to our own creativity.
Go to a concert or other live music event. Psychologists from McGill University in Montreal studied music’s effects on the brain and found dopamine, a primary feel-good chemical, can be released both in response to music and in anticipation of it. A great basis for a strike of inspiration, wouldn’t you say?

Nature is my manifestation of God. I go to nature for inspiration in the day’s work. I follow in building the principles which nature has used in its domain. ~Frank Lloyd Wright

Get outside! Leave all your devices inside and get outdoors for at least a few minutes each day. Allow your attention to be fully captivated by the the extraordinary creation surrounding you: wildlife, trees, flowers, boulders, bodies of water, canyons, or other natural beauty. Martha Stewart, creative extraordinaire, says, I’m very inspired by nature. I look around me and get all kinds of inspiration daily.
Do at least one activity outside of your norm each week. Schedule it in your planner or on your calendar so it doesn’t fall through the cracks. New experiences provide new knowledge, opening the way for inspired thoughts, conversations, creative urges, and even new ways of being in the world.

Make note of inspired ideas, even undeveloped ones. If you’re like me, inspiration can sometimes come in small bits, or in the form of a question. By recording these little nuggets and pondering them over weeks or months, a complete idea can emerge. In her book Big Magic, Elizabeth Gilbert writes about inspiration gifting her with ideas which, after going unused, were passed along to others (as evidenced by later publications of her unique, discarded concepts.) Don’t let your inspired ideas be regifted!

When we clear the physical clutter from our lives, we literally make way for inspiration and ‘Good, orderly direction’ (God) to enter. ~Julia Cameron

Whether we’re referring to the act of drawing air into our lungs or being divinely influenced, inspiration is paramount. As long as we are breathing, we are creating, designing our lives in the smaller and larger contexts. By priming ourselves with beauty and goodness to receive inspiration, we open the way for expanded possibilities that infuse all our creations with deeper meaning.

Blessings for Inspiration,

Lisa

Blessed Are the Adventurous

An adventure can be defined as a daring and exciting activity calling for enterprise and enthusiasm. Due to studies showing the many benefits of adventure activities, there are now possibilities for adventure travel, adventure therapy, and even adventure prescriptions handed out by physicians.

In other posts, I’ve shared how my personal adventures have changed the way I view myself and Nature, as well as my interpretation of life. Driving new roads, hiking trails surrounded by wilderness, climbing, camping, discovering areas with immense natural beauty, and exploring the architecture, culture, and history of new destinations: these are the activities that have illuminated me from within, rehabilitating and revitalizing me from a life that had become undone. Without having read any studies, I knew these experiences must be healthy. Now I’ve seen proof, and I want to share it with you.

In an article written for Good Nature Travel, Candace Andrews, world traveler & nature writer, says adventure travel is good for physical & mental health as well as the planet. According to Andrews, regular hiking can increase the size of the hippocampus and help prevent age-related memory loss. Adventures can also help us better cope with uncertainty, a skill that we could all use more of these days. She goes on to imply that adventure travelers typically have a better appreciation for Nature, and are therefore more likely to help protect Her.

In a paper on Research Gate, three university authors look at various studies on adventure therapy (AT) and their outcomes. Key characteristics of adventure therapy, the paper states, are challenge, risk, reflection, novel settings, and experiential learning. AT invites the participant to act, make quick decisions, and move their bodies in new ways. These actions, once assimilated into previously learned behaviors and attitudes, can translate into “real life” benefits, like increased courage, adaptability, and self-confidence at work and home.

*My favorite-ever campsite, with a creek running through the back*

According to a study in the journal Neuron shared on the National Institute of Health website, adventurous behavior makes us feel good; it fires up the same regions of the brain as reward. And Frank Farley, Ph.D., former President of the American Psychological Association, says that adventurous people have a sense of flourishing in their lives. I can vouch for that!

An article in the Children and Nature Network Research Library reviews the long-term benefits of outdoor adventure programs for youngsters under the age of 25. The lasting impacts (maintained at least a year after the program) most reported included independence, life skills, confidence, and the willingness to try new things.

A 2018 essay from The Guardian announced that General Practitioners in Scotland were starting to write prescriptions for outdoor adventures. Patients are instructed to go hill walking on Shetland’s upland moors, directed towards coastal paths to watch fulmars, to beachcomb for shells, and spot long-tailed ducks, oystercatchers and lapwings, the article reads. The adventures are prescribed to assist patients in improving specific health conditions, of course, but I like to think of all the unexpected peripheral benefits they’ll gain, as well.

Due to covid restrictions putting a hiatus on going and doing, I feel the last year and a half has just flown. David Eagleman, Neuroscientist at Stanford University, says, The more familiar the world becomes, the less information your brain writes down, and the more quickly time seems to pass. By embracing new adventures, we provide our brains with opportunities to record novel, diverse experiences, expanding our sense of time.

The human body thrives on adventure, whether a result of travel, AT programs, physician prescriptions, or other fun activities. My adventures have changed my thinking and given me a more positive sense of being in the world, causing me to feel truly alive. Are you blessed with an adventurous spirit? If not, in the pursuit of health and well-being, what can a little more daring, excitement, enterprise, and enthusiasm do for you?

Blessings for Adventure,

Lisa

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