10 Little-Known Coping Strategies for Depression

You are a marvel.  You are unique.  In all the world there is no (one) exactly like you.  In the millions of years that have passed, there has never been a (person) like you . . . You have the capacity for anything.  ~Pablo Casals

Every time I see the above quote I first read in a book by the inspiring Pam Grout, I can’t move on without reading the quote a second, and sometimes a third time.  It speaks a truth so often forgotten: each of us is one-of-a-kind with tremendous potential.  Nobody else will ever be able to share your specific gifts the way you can.  And the world needs your special gifts, now more than ever.  Rather than celebrating the benefits of individuality, however, media and society downplay its merits and mandate that we act and think like everyone else.  What a pity our self perception has become so twisted.  Reading the Casals quote opens my heart and lifts my spirits.  Every cell in my body seems to shout in unison, that describes us perfectly!  Let’s read it again and bathe in this delicious Truth a little longer!  

The words of that quote are a go-to for me when I’m feeling down.  Since the start of the covid outbreak, I’ve found it necessary to keep my thoughts on the present moment and focus on my blessings more than usual.  (Hopefully, these are habits I’ll maintain after our covid reality disappears!)  From the many articles and social media posts I’ve read related to depression, anxiety, and suicide, I believe a lot of us are struggling daily.  Although I’ve never been clinically depressed, I socially isolated and subsisted for the better part of a year on red wine and Haagen Dazs while witnessing the end of the world I had known.  (Read my story here.)  I have great empathy for those who struggle with feelings of darkness, and I’d like to offer a few coping tips, from both my personal experience as well as scientific findings on Nature.  If you are working with a doctor and taking meds, please don’t stop.  Just give some of these ideas a whirl in addition.  (Oh, and a tip: I find that when starting something new or doing something tough, scheduling it on my daily planner helps me remember and be more consistent.)

  1. Savor the feeling of each compliment you receive and the pleasure associated with admiring beauty for at least 20 seconds.  According to Marci Shimoff, NYT bestselling author of Happy for No Reason,  this creates new neural pathways, making it a little easier to access and experience those feelings regularly.
  1. Do a news fast.  If you’re like me, you react to the news of our horrific state of affairs with a furrowed brow & an overwhelming sense of fear, and that heaviness follows you around all day, affecting your thinking and conversations.  Go for a few days or weeks without exposing your heart and mind to news reporting.  You will be amazed at how much lighter you’ll feel!
  1. Listen to music that you enjoyed at a time when you felt really good about yourself and thought you had the world by the tail!  Music has the ability to take us back to a totally different mindset.  For me, that music includes Stevie B, TKA, Lisa Lisa, Prince, Janet Jackson, Boston, The Scorpions, Toto, and REO Speedwagon.  What is some of your world-by-the-tail music?
  1. Seek out a reason to laugh every day – watch a funny movie, relish in playtime with your pet, listen to a stand-up comic, play a socially-distanced game with friends.  Christiane Northrup, MD, author of The Power of Joy – How the Deliberate Pursuit of Pleasure Can Heal Your Life, says that our very design predisposes us to seek pleasure, and the experience of joy makes us healthier, smarter, and even younger.  

  1. Spend some time outdoors.  Many of us are now spending more time inside our homes than ever before.  The human body has evolved over the past 5 million years in an environment nothing like our homes, offices, or cars.  According to the author of Brain Food, Lisa Mosconi, who has PhDs in both neuroscience and nuclear medicine, 99% of the time humans have spent on earth have been as hunter-gatherers, therefore, outside, active, and in relation to others.  (By the way, take a guess where I was when I had an epiphany that would end my wine and ice cream habit & totally change my life?  I was outside.)
  1. Get some exercise.  In the article Exercise and Mental Health: Many Reasons to Move, from the journal Neuropsychobiology, it is suggested that overwhelmingly, scientific findings are linking successful brain function with regular exercise.  And successful brain function can mean less lethargy, fewer dark thoughts, and decreased anxiety.
  1. Eat more colorful, non-GMO fruits & vegetables.  According to Dr. Zach Bush, an internationally-recognized physician specializing in internal medicine, endocrinology and hospice care, genetically-modified gluten (found in grains like wheat, rye, & barley) opens the tight junctions in our guts, resulting in tiny particles of food escaping.  These escaped particles can cross the blood-brain barrier, causing inflammation, which leads to depression, dementia, and other brain issues.  On another note, eating more real food and less processed food upgrades the microbiome, which can manipulate the brain’s reward center and our mood.  For more on the critical importance of the microbiome, check out this article.

  1. Check in with yourself constantly regarding your hydration needs.  According to Gina Bria, coauthor of Quench: Beat Fatigue, Drop Weight, and Heal Your Body Through the New Science of Optimum Hydration even a 1.4% rate of dehydration results in brain shrinkage, which leads to memory loss and other cognitive issues.  Shrunken brain, it turns out, is a common condition in Alzheimer’s patients.  (For more on hydration, go here.)
  1. Read something that you find inspirational, even if it’s one page a day.  Filling your thoughts with good stuff is super important!  Want suggestions?  How about poetry by Rumi, a Chicken Soup for the Soul book, a Gregg Braden book, or the writing of the author who first introduced me to the quote at the start of this article, Pam Grout?
  1. Learn something new.  It will give you a sense of pride, as well as something new to think and talk about! 

It’s easy to get carried away by the dark, gloomy current of this covid reality, especially if your mood and mindset were challenged by depression before the virus appeared.  Finding little ways to better cope can make a huge difference.  I do hope you’ll give some of these suggestions a go.  And of course, I’d love to hear in the comments if you do!

Blessings for Love & Light,

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.

Sunshine Blogger Award Nomination

The Sunshine Blogger Award is given to bloggers who inspire positivity and creativity while spreading sunshine in the blogging community.  Nonso the Writer has graciously nominated me for this award.  Thank you, Nonso!  If you’re unfamiliar with him, this is how Nonso describes his pursuits: “Writing is art, an expression of oneself. This art I intend to share with the world through the creation of evergreen write-ups, fuelled by quantified and qualified research facts. By this, I express myself wholeheartedly.”  And write from the heart he does, primarily on social issues.  Check him out – you will like what you read!

Update: Benjamin Grossman also nominated me for this award in July of 2021. If you’re not familiar with his work, he is a lovingly hopeless romantic that specializes in writing poetry. Thanks, Benjamin!

The Sunshine Blogger Award Rules:

  • Thank the person who nominated you and provide a link back to their blog.
  • Answer the 11 questions asked by the person who nominated you.
  • Nominate 11 people, notify them, & ask 11 new questions.
  • List the rules and display the Sunshine Blogger Award photo in your post.

Questions from Nonso

  1. When was your toughest time blogging?

Getting started was tough because setting up the blog site was all new to me and sometimes frustrating.

2. If you look back to the beginning, would you say you’ve achieved a lot?

I have made new friends and shared writings and photos that others appreciate, so yes, I am happy with what I’ve achieved.

3. Any obstacles faced by blogging? If yes, explain.

I sometimes work on a post (or 2 or 4!) for the week, only to discover that it doesn’t feel right to share at that time, so at the last hour, I’m faced with starting anew.  

4. How does your inspiration come?

I am inspired by witnessing natural beauty and acts of lovingkindness, as well as learning about scientific findings that prove Nature is our best healer: mind, body, and soul.

5. Asides blogging, what else do you do (leisure or business)?

I love to learn, travel, cook, hike, bike, climb, do yoga, photograph Nature, & watch wildlife.

6. Who’s your favorite blogger and why?

I am inspired by many bloggers who share incredible photos, quotes, poetry, travel info, short stories, & thought-provoking articles.

7. The country with the most views on your blog?

On most days, the US leads, but at least once a week, India.

8. Are you more creative at night or during the day? Or you’re fluid?

Hmmmmm, I’m not really sure.  I reserve time for writing first thing in the morning.  But at night, I sometimes come up with important ideas, or I’ll have a realization of something I feel is crucial to an ongoing post, project or personal situation.

9. What’s blogging like to you?

To me, blogging is an opportunity to share the ideas I feel are important, as well as my travel photos.  In the process, I’ve connected with many other bloggers around the world whose friendship & support inspires me!

10. Do you ever go back to your previous posts? How do you feel about them?

I do occasionally review older posts, and most of the time, I feel they’re ok.  Although, sometimes, I feel I could have done better!

11. What’s your opinion about life?

Life is a big, beautiful, mysterious experience that is often taken for granted when we get bogged down in a less-than-delightful routine.   (It is so much more than working, acquiring, and paying bills, although that narrow mindset seems to be prevalent.)  Life is an opportunity to become rich in spirit, knowledge, experiences, relationships, and connection with Nature.  It is a gift for which we should assume a sacred responsibility. 

My Nominees

Over the past month, out of the 23 bloggers I’ve nominated for the Liebster Award, the Small Joys Tag, and the Great Achiever Mahasiddhi Blogger Award, only 4 have acknowledged my nomination, and 2 of those respectfully declined.  Therefore, I nominate all inspiring members of the blogging community, contingent upon acceptance!

Questions to Those Accepting my Nomination

  1. Outside of your family/home, name 1 thing you do to demonstrate lovingkindness.
  2. Do you spend time admiring Nature?
  3. Do you have pets?  Name 1 funny thing they do.
  4. When were you last generous with your words and/or resources?

  1. Do you feel forgiveness is important for peace and happiness?
  2. How often do you laugh?
  3. What is your favorite vegetable?  Fruit?
  4. Are you aware that the health of your gut & its microbes determines your ability to lose weight?  (It also has a strong influence on your mood, motivational level, and the health of your organs, including your brain.)
  5. In addition to blogging, what are your other creative pursuits?
  6. What is one of your favorite Nature scenes?
  7. In your opinion, what is the most important thing brought to light by the pandemic?

Again, Nonso, I appreciate your kindness.  This award is sweet!

Blessings for Sunshine,

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.

Great Achiever Mahasiddhi Blogger Award Nomination

I am happy to share that I have been nominated for the Great Achiever Mahasiddhi Blogger Award by the award’s designer, Kamal Shrestha!  From his post describing the award, “I am from a birthplace of Gautam Buddha who enlightened many parts of the world in his lifetime by his wisdom and knowledge of equanimity, or peace of mind which is achieved by detaching oneself from the cycle of craving that produces trouble.”  I am delighted to have been chosen to share in an award that continues the work of this spiritual leader by helping bring peace and environmental concerns front and center.  Thank you, Kamal – I am honored by your nomination!

The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. ~Mahatma Gandhi

In addition to the idea of animal treatment in Gandhi’s quote above, my feeling is that the treatment of all living things could be included.  The ideas of peace and caring for the environment are inseparable in my estimation.  By taking care of the earth and all the life that She supports, including humans, other animals, trees, flowers, etc., we: 

1. Position ourselves & our vibrations (which show up in all aspects of our personal creations) on the side of love, empathy, & responsibility for that which sustains us

2. Reciprocate the benefits gifted us (usually without our awareness) by plants and animals (for more on this, please check out my posts on Trees, Wildflowers, and Animals)

3.  Set the stage for more peaceful weather patterns, rather than the ravages of the last few decades.

Rules & Regulations

1. Thank the person who nominated you and share a link to their blog. 

2. Create a post of the award with a statement on the concept of peace & environment.  

3. Tag your post with #greatachiever.

4. Share the rules and regulations. 

5. Ask 7 questions of your choice. Your questions must include the concepts of peace and environment. 

6. Nominate 7 or more fellow bloggers and notify them. 

7. Visit & follow @kamalsbloggingcafe (https://kamalsbloggingcafe.wordpress.com) for more details and to secure a badge for certification of GAMBA WORDPRESS SHINING STAR AWARD for PEACE & SAVE ENVIRONMENT.

Kamal’s Questions

  1. How can you be a good blogger as a member of WordPress Global Village? 

I believe writing from the heart results in good content, and respectfully networking with other bloggers creates a true sense of community.

2.    Could you please define a word “PEACE” from your point of view?  

My definition of peace is a state of mind attained by following your heart in all decision-making to help you become the best version of yourself, thereby avoiding the need to constantly compete, compare, and grasp for material things, power, and addictive substances/activities. (And when you slip & make a bad decision, forgive yourself quickly and continue on with your heart-centered life!)

3.    How can we save a tree? 

Recycle, reuse, repurpose.  In my house, when we print something in error, we save the paper and use the back for grocery lists, to do lists, etc.  We save (lightly-used) gift bags to use again.  We utilize reusable grocery bags.  And at Christmas, to avoid cutting down a tree, we will decorate a pine tree just outside our window.  (Our neighbors do this lovely gesture each year!)

4.    Do you think human trafficking is still a crosscutting issues? 

Absolutely.  There are signs in post offices in the Northeastern US warning about human trafficking.

5.    What thing do you sacrifice to make a happy family environment? 

Time and energy; but I wouldn’t call it sacrificing as much as sharing, which all members do (or might consider doing!) to contribute to a happy family unit.

6.    Which animal do you like most? Why? 

I am a lover of all animals!

7.    What do you think about the journalist or YouTubers? 

I enjoy a lot of journalists and Youtubers.  When reporting “news,” I believe they have a responsibility to either present the truth, or make it obvious that their presentations are fictional.

8.    Is a movie-star play a vital role to aware most of the people around the world or just they present their performance to earn money?

Celebrities have a great platform from which to encourage kindness to our fellow man, responsibility for the Earth, and other positive endeavors, and so many of them are doing just that.

My Nominees

  1. https://hegdetravelphotos.com
  2. https://reconcile2chaos.wordpress.com
  3. https://sanctuaryofgreatness.wordpress.com
  4. https://guyofvibez.art.blog
  5. https://nonsothewriter.wordpress.com
  6. https://outanabout.com
  7. https://eightskies.com

Questions to my Nominees

  1. Do you believe the intensity of recent wildfires, hurricanes, earthquakes, and other natural disasters have anything to do with the rate at which the Earth is being raped and pillaged for profit? 
  1. Is it your opinion that humans can have meaningful communication with other animals?   
  1. Do you plant or care for trees or flowers?
  1. How do you define inner peace?
  1. What small actions do you take to help improve the crisis we are currently living due to environmental degradation?
  1. Do you think traveling is important to the planet & human race?  Why?
  1. Do you feel it is important to spend time outside?  Why?

Congratulations to my nominees, and I look forward to reading your posts!  Thank you again, Kamal, this nomination means a lot to me!

Blessings for Peace & Environmental Love,

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.

Small Joys Tag Nomination

I am pleased to share with you that my friend Noorien Misbha has nominated me for the Small Joys Tag. It’s an honor to be recognized by this young, beautiful soul who displays wisdom beyond her years. If you’re not familiar with Noorien’s blog, Gowriteandexplore, please pay her a visit! She composes thought-provoking poetry and shares opinions, a little silliness, and other heartfelt musings. In addition to showcasing her talent on her blog, Noorien shares sweet comments on my posts. I truly appreciate you, Noorien!

Wyoming

Rules of this Tag 

  1. Thank the blogger who nominated you.
  2. List fifteen of your small joys.
  3. Nominate Five other Blogger Friends who bring you joy. (And notify them of the nomination.)
A friend made alongside a hiking trail in Wyoming

My Small Joys (in no particular order)

  • Sunshine on my face & fresh air in my lungs
  • Viewing animals in their natural habitat
  • Monsoon sunsets & star-filled night skies of the Southwestern US
Monsoon sunset in Flagstaff, Arizona
  • Wildflowers & blooming trees
  • Breathtaking landscapes & seascapes
  • Walking barefoot on a beach
  • Nature photography
  • Exploring (on foot, online & in books)
Aspens getting ready for fall, Inner Basin Trail, Northern Arizona
  • Writing & sharing my nature photos
  • Learning
  • Listening to music
  • Chatting with friends (including bloggers) & family
  • Getting things organized
  • The smell of roasting coffee beans
  • Preparing and eating fresh, delicious, nutritious vegan meals
Sedona, Arizona

My Nominees
Per the tag rules, I could choose only 5. If permitted, I would have chosen 100 fellow bloggers, because so many of you bring me joy! Please show some love to the following. They are most joyful!

Big Sur, California

Again, I am so appreciative of you, Noorien!

Blessings for Joy,

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.

Liebster Award Nomination

I am very happy to share that I have been nominated for the Liebster Award by tkbrownwriter. Our blogging community is vast, composed of good folks producing lots of great content. I feel blessed to be a part of it. It is heartwarming to be recognized by a fellow blogger for my efforts. Thank you, TK, for this honor.

TK is a great writer of poetry, devotionals, and interesting articles. From TK’s About Page: “I started writing poetry when I was five years old. I had gone to Sunday School and learned about Jesus. I wrote a poem of five or six lines. I do not remember what I wrote, only that I wrote. . . . I continued to write as I traveled through life. Three children and seven grandchildren later, I am finally becoming a published poet.” A fabulous accomplishment, TK! If you haven’t already, please check out tkbrownwriter. You’ll enjoy what you read.

Balloons, balloons, everywhere balloons! At the annual festival in Albuquerque, NM.

The Liebster Award is a way for someone in our community to bring attention to relatively new bloggers who create content deemed worthy of a broader audience. The meaning of the German word Liebster includes these concepts: kind, lovely, pleasant, valued, endearing, and welcome.

Rules for the Liebster Blogger Award:
1. Thank the blogger who nominated you and give a link to her or his blog.
2. Answer the 11 questions asked of you.
3. Nominate 11 other bloggers.
4. Ask your nominees 11 questions.
5. Notify your nominees once you have uploaded your post.

TK’s Questions:

  1. What is your favorite genre to read and why?

I’m primarily a non-fiction reader because I enjoy learning about the bridge of science & spirituality, foods, travel, and human & planetary health.

  1. What color best describes you as a person and why?

Green.  All shades.  Environmental concerns are of utmost importance to me.

  1. If travel into outer space were as simple as traveling around the world, where would you go and why?

To Venus, because she’s my ruling planet.

  1. Is the statement, “Black Lives Matter” racist?

No.

  1. Is the statement, “All Lives Matter” racist?

No.

  1. Why did you answer questions 4 and 5 as you did?

Bringing attention to the marginalization of black communities with the Black Lives Matter statement is not racist; it is bluntly informative. In the United States, there has never been a doubt that white lives matter, as the attitude of white privilege has prevailed since the country was “discovered” by Europeans.  In my opinion, the statement All Lives Matter was formed as a response to the BLM statement by whites who are simply unaware of the depths of inequity, negligence, and disenfranchisement suffered by the majority of black communities at the hands of white power from the time of colonization.  The current BLM movement provides us with a tremendous opportunity for education and setting things right.

  1. Whom have you considered your most important role model and why?

I can’t say that I have a single role model.  I am in awe of prophets, civil rights leaders, animal rights advocates, and those who work on behalf of the planet.  I admire ministers who promote love more than dogma, regenerative farmers, medical workers who are not afraid to go against protocol to help a patient, and folks who assist with disaster relief.  I have an appreciation for the parents, teachers, policy makers, and community organizers who work from a sense of moral compass with a genuine desire to do good.  Generally, I hold in highest esteem those who lovingly engage in doing the right thing for themselves and the collective.

  1. Why do we have parents?

Parents create space for us and bring us into this reality.  Our interactions with them, both aligning and resisting, inform us in life-long guidance.  Oftentimes, parents present us with opportunities to experience unconditional love as well as forgiveness, the importance of which cannot be overestimated.

  1. What is most important: to have peace of mind or to have a million dollars?

Peace of mind, undoubtedly.

  1. What does writing do for you personally?

Writing allows me to share information that might inspire others to act on behalf of the greater good (which can mean helping oneself feel better by eating healthier, planting a tree, traveling to new lands, etc.)  Using my gifts with an intention of contributing to a better world is uplifting to me.

  1. Do you engage in the visual arts (i.e., painting, sketching, sculpting)? If so, which?

Nature photography

My Liebster Award Nominees:

  1. https://livetophotoshoot.wordpress.com
  2. https://cellythoughts.blog
  3. http://thegreenhorseman.com
  4. https://melaninjetsetter.com
  5. https://cewheeler.art
  6. https://mindfultraveler.blog
  7. https://insearchofthevery.com
  8. https://planetunplugged.com
  9. https://poeticoceans.wordpress.com
  10. https://fancyingfrance.com
  11. https://chromelove5.wordpress.com

I encourage each of you reading this post to check out these blogsites. They are truly outstanding!

Questions to My Nominees:

  1. Which do you do more: listen to music or watch tv?
  2. Does climate change concern you?  Why or why not?
  3. How much time do you spend in nature?
  4. Do you believe our pets understand us?
  5. How often do you have a meat-free & dairy-free meal?
  6. How often do you cook?
  7. Do you plant or care for trees or flowers?
  8. How important do you feel travel is, and why?
  9. Name one thing the pandemic has taken away that you look forward to resuming.
  10. Do you engage in forgiveness, for yourself and for others?
  11. Do you believe that your thoughts help create your reality?

Congratulations to all of my nominees! Of course, feel free to elaborate on any of these questions!

Again, I extend my deepest gratitude to you, tkbrownwriter, for my nomination!

Community 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.

Wildflowers: Resilience, Beauty and Grace

On The Mesa in northern New Mexico, with the foothills of the Rocky Mountains & a Buddhist temple in the background

I must have flowers, always, and always.  ~Claude Monet

I first fell in love with wildflowers on a trip to Taos, NM.  The first couple times I visited, drought conditions prevailed, and I remember hand-written signs hanging all over the little hostel encouraging water conservation.  But a couple years later, the drought ended (unbeknownst to me) and I returned to discover incredible displays of wildflowers all over the northern part of the state.  It was unlike anything I’d ever witnessed, and my deep appreciation for these beauties was born.

Just outside Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado

Since that time, I have become a seeker of wildflowers.  Anywhere I travel now, I look for them, even if they can be found only in small patches.  I believe their resilience and willingness to tenderly reveal themselves after years of enduring drought is a spiritual act, one that we humans can reflect on and learn from.

Where flowers bloom so does hope.  ~Lady Bird Johnson

On a hiking trail inside Joshua Tree National Park in California

Not only do wildflowers delight our senses, but they serve practical purposes as well.  According to an article from the US Dept of Agriculture’s US Forest website, wildflowers support entire ecosystems for pollinators, birds, and small animals on a micro scale. Butterflies and other insects, small birds, and animals depend on seeds, nectar, and pollen for their food supply and life support system.

Lupine among the aspens, alongside Kachina Trail in Northern Arizona

Like many parts of the Southwest, Northern Arizona is often strewn with wildflowers, especially during monsoon season.  I went to buy some native seeds to plant around my house earlier this year, but the nursery was sold out!  It seems a lot of us are planting seeds during this pandemic.  An article from Mother Earth News, The Benefits of Growing Wildflowers, says Wildflowers are as much the heartbeat of our planet as the oceans. All living creatures interact with wildflowers whether they know it or not. For 130 million years, wildflowers have blessed the earth with their amazing skill sets and stunning beauty . . .  They freely bestow upon us a grace that helps sustain all of life.  Therefore, planting native species, the article goes on to say, is most advantageous.  I’ll be sure to get to the nursery earlier next year!

In the Mojave Desert, Southern California

The Amen of nature is always a flower. ~Oliver Wendell Holmes

What are your favorite wildflowers?  Have you planted any native species?  I’d love to learn the names of the ones unlabeled in the pictures of this article. If you’re familiar with them, please don’t be shy – share your knowledge!

Wildflowers are beautiful and beneficial creations.  They help ensure the survival of pollinators, and therefore, humans.  What a debt of gratitude we owe them for their willingness to reveal their tender beauty, sometimes after years of drought, in an effort to help sustain life!

On the coast of Big Sur, California, with a very vocal little bird!

People from a planet without flowers would think we must be mad with joy . . . to have such things about us. ~Iris Murdoch

Blessings for Wildflower Love,

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.

For the Love of Animals

We are born into this world with a love for animals.  As babies, we share the same innocence and many similar vulnerabilities.  As we grow, we often have animal playmates that grow alongside us.  I’ve met many service dogs who regularly visit nursing home residents.  I’ve known cats living in a hospice facility that won’t leave the room of a patient who is very sick or dying.  I have witnessed horses who adore their owners and caregivers.  And, as a small child, I felt a loving kinship with our cows, pigs, and chickens, and sensed that love returned.  Animals seem to embody a spirit of loving oneness with us.

In a study done in 2012, researchers at the University of London found that dogs are more likely to approach an individual who is weeping than one who is simply talking.  The submissiveness they display in these situations indicates that they have a primitive understanding of human distress, according to the study.  I have experienced this sort of behavior first-hand, but from a cat, surprisingly!  Have you witnessed this type of behavior from an animal?

Compassion for animals is intimately associated with goodness of character, and it may be confidently asserted that he who is cruel to animals cannot be a good man. ~ Arthur Schopenhauer

As mentioned in my first post on animals, 69 scientific studies on human-animal interaction reviewed by The National Center for Biotechnology Information show that interacting with animals can be quite therapeutic. Some of the benefits shown in these studies include improved mood & behavior; reduced stress, fear & anxiety; improved heart health & immune function; and reduced aggression.  Over the past month, I have set up both a hummingbird feeder and a regular seeded feeder in our front yard.  These precious (but sometimes possessive!) little birds have touched my heart in a way that brings back the sweetness of childhood.  Watching them feed, I’m overcome with tenderness and exhilaration.

Is this a common effect of the pandemic, do you think?  Have you made a deeper commitment to animals, or Nature in general, since the onset of the virus?  Or do you know anyone who has?

The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. ~ Mahatma Gandhi

What about eating animals: do you find that you’re eating fewer meats these days?  I have seen many news articles over the past several months about how the popularity of fake meat items has boomed.  According to the meat paradox, as discussed in an article from Current Directions in Psychological Science entitled The Psychology of Eating Animals, most people care about animals and do not want to see them harmed but engage in a diet that requires them to be killed and, usually, to suffer.  What thoughts or feelings surface when you read that statement?

Before covid-19, I can’t remember ever hearing the word zoonotic.  Now I’m seeing it used repeatedly.  The term refers to diseases, like covid-19, that are spread from animals.  According to Wikipedia, there is increasing evidence . . . that measles, smallpox, influenza, HIV, and diphtheria came to humans this way.  Tuberculosis and even strains of the common cold, the article goes on to say, originated in animals.  I’ve read information from several sources suggesting that the sad state of factory farming practices in this country could lead to more frequent outbreaks of zoonotic diseases.  Can policy makers do nothing to protect us from these looming threats?  In light of the many sacrifices we’ve made due to the pandemic (and who knows how much longer it will continue), shouldn’t this be a priority?   

I am in favor of animal rights as well as human rights. That is the way of a whole human being. ~ Abraham Lincoln

We come into this world treasuring animals, but learning to disregard that love, at least for farm animals, often seems part and parcel to growing up.  With all the benefits animals confer on us when they are loved and treated well, perhaps an examination of our current belief system is in order.  Learning to embody the same sense of loving oneness they often display may very well contribute to not only our happiness but also our health and longevity.

Blessings for Animal Love,

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.

Quick and Crispy Chickpea Salad with Lemon Dressing

The masses have spoken (well, at least the 8 people who voted in my poll!) and the winner is . . . a new recipe!  I had a lot of good feedback on the Bok Choy Soup recipe I posted a while back, and I hope you find this meal just as tasty.  For those of you who asked for more quick and easy recipes after trying the soup, thanks for your patience!

This meal quietly slipped out of my rotation for a few years, even though it’s one I’ve always enjoyed immensely.  Has that ever happened to you?  I suppose it was because I began experimenting with a lot of new ethnic dishes, so for a while, my focus shifted to finding new (or new to me) ingredients and trying new methods of preparation. For reasons unknown, this sautéed chickpea (aka garbanzo bean) salad popped back into my memory recently, and I immediately wanted to share it with you!  I started making it so many years ago that I can’t remember where I got the idea.  I looked around at recipes online, and couldn’t find anything similar, so I’m thinking perhaps I saw lots of recipes during that time that included sautéing chickpeas & decided to throw some on a raw salad.  The combination of tastes and textures in this dish make it absolutely crave-worthy. 

The salad starts with a big bed of romaine lettuce.  Romaine is not only crunchy and delicious, but also very high in folate, vitamin A and vitamin K, which doesn’t get a lot of air time, but is super important.  Vitamin K works to help blood clot.  Additionally, it works with calcium to strengthen bones & teeth, to help keep arteries from hardening, and to prevent osteoporosis & fractures, according to Dr. Joel Furhman, NY Times bestselling author and internationally-know expert on nutrition and natural healing.  Having worked with a hospice organization for years, I know that as we age, bones can get brittle, balance and strength often wane, and falls increase.  Those conditions create a perfect storm for fractures, which, for various reasons, can be the beginning of the end.  So let’s try not to go there, eh?  Eat your romaine!  😊

Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food. ~ Hippocrates

Chickpeas, as it happens, may be as healthy as romaine.  According to The George Mateljan Foundation for The World’s Healthiest Foods, garbanzo beans are high in manganese, folate, copper and fiber.  The fiber they contain can assist in making the preferred energy source for cells that line the colon.  This can result in more optimal colon function, reducing the risk of cancer and other gastrointestinal issues.

So, without further ado, here’s the recipe for this incredibly healthy, delicious salad, that will take you less than 30 minutes!  Please let me know in the comments if you give it a try.  I’d love your feedback.

Yield: 2 servings

Ingredients – use organic and/or non-GMO whenever possible

1/4 large head of romaine, chopped
3-4 medium carrots, sliced
1/2 small red onion, diced
2 tbsp oil, preferably avocado (but olive oil will work)
3 cloves garlic, minced (or 1/4 tsp garlic powder)
16 oz cooked chickpeas (either prepared from dried or canned, drained)
1/8 – 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, or to taste
Salt to taste
Extra drizzle of olive oil, if desired

Directions

Create beds of romaine on 2 large plates.  Add a heavy layer of sliced carrots to each & sprinkle with red onions.  

Heat the oil on medium-low heat in a large skillet & add fresh garlic (if using), stirring for 1-2 minutes, until just fragrant.  Add chickpeas, using the pan’s lid like a shield to protect yourself from popping oil, and stir to coat.  Add cayenne pepper, salt, and garlic powder (if you didn’t use fresh garlic.)  Cook, stirring frequently for 7-12 minutes, or until the chickpeas get a little tanned.  (Be sure to stop cooking if the oil starts to smoke.)  Taste for salt, adding more if necessary.  

Scoop 1/2 of the chickpeas on top of each salad, and drizzle a little olive oil if desired.  Enjoy!

Note – if you find the salad is not quite filling enough for you, here are 2 ideas:

  1. Follow it with a big chunk of watermelon! 
  2. Stuff the salad into a pita round, and add some of this lemon tahini dressing, which is one of my favorites:

Yield: just under a cup

Ingredients

2 cloves chopped garlic
1/3 cup tahini (sesame seed butter)
1 tsp lemon zest
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
3 tbsp olive oil
2-3 tbsp hot water
1 tsp salt

Whisk all ingredients together, adding just enough water for your desired consistency.  Keeps for a few days in the fridge stored in a small jar or other glass container.  (You may want to add a tiny bit more water each day you take it out of the fridge, as it can get pretty thick.  It won’t really affect the flavor, as it intensifies as it sets.)  

*This can also be used on grilled veggies, in grain salads, on regular raw salads, or even to replace mayo on some sandwiches.  I make this versatile, delicious dressing often.

Thank you, Jess Hinkson, for the dressing inspiration!

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.

Special Southwest Finds and a Poll Just for You

When I first started spending time in the Southwest, a whole new world opened up to me. That new world included the opportunity to witness things that were outside my old frame of real-time reference. I remember my first time seeing a tumbleweed being blown across the road, thinking excitedly omg, just like in the old western movies! (Except, of course, I was in a car instead of horse-drawn buggy, and the road was paved, not dirt. :)) Exploration in this beautiful part of the world makes my heart happy. If you are familiar only with the East Coast of the US, you’re missing out on some other-worldly, breathtaking sites. In fact, the Southwest shares so few parallels with the East that I have often said it feels like a different country.

. . . There are blessings in the desert. You can be pulled into limitlessness, which we all yearn for, or you can do the beauty of minutiae, the scrimshaw of tiny and precise. The sky is your ocean, and the crystal silence will uplift you like great gospel music, or Neil Young. ~Anne Lamott

I want to share with you a few of my special finds from the Southwest. I realize these treasures can be found in other locations, and I’d love to hear if you’ve seen any of them, and where. I was surprised to learn this week, after a lifetime of believing otherwise, that tarantulas can be found in more than half of the U.S. Who knew?!

Speaking of tarantulas, I saw this old gal in Sedona. (I say gal because she was alone on the sidewalk of a touristy shopping area!) I’d never seen one outside of a glass-enclosed case, and I was surprised at how close she let me get. I was even more surprised at some of the facts on tarantulas, as reported by spideridentifications.com. They can be as small as a couple centimeters, or as large as a dinner plate! The lifespan of a typical female is 30 years, and 7 years for a male. (Any thoughts on that? LOL! Sorry, guys, I couldn’t resist!) Also, their jaws and fangs, which can be 1.5 inches long, are quite strong. There are not many reports of them harming humans, according to the site, lucky for us.

Next, the Painted Desert occupies 7500 square miles in northern Arizona, between the east entrance of the Grand Canyon and the area surrounding Petrified Forest National Park. This extraordinary landscape is made up of fine-grained rock that is easily eroded and shaped by the elements. As for the coloring, compounds of manganese and iron account for the many bands of reds, orange, grey, and lavender. It is truly a site to behold.

As its name implies, Petrified Forest National Park contains an abundance of wood turned to stone. The above picture, however, was snapped at Escalante Petrified Forest State Park in Utah. Petrified wood is actually a 3-D fossil that is formed by a mineral process over millions of years. Like the Painted Desert, the fossilized wood is colored by minerals. In addition to the colors in the pic above, you can also find this wood with shades of black, pink and green.

Petroglyphs have been another amazing find for me. How awesome is it that our ancestors unknowingly left us this beautiful history?! The above shot was taken at V-Bar-V Heritage Site in central Arizona. When I visited, the area was an active archaeological dig site (which was a first for me as well!) This rock art was created between 600 and 900 years ago, and encompasses over 1000 petroglyphs on 13 panels. It is said to be one of the best-preserved sites of its kind.

The photo above was taken at Mesa Verde National Park in the Four Corners area of southwestern Colorado. This ancient construction, which is underneath an overhanging cliff, was built primarily of shaped sandstones cemented with mud. Some structures were made for dwelling, others for storing crops, and still others for ceremonial purposes. They are said to have been built between 700 and 800 years ago. Because this population left no writings on the rocks in this location, archaeologists have had a harder time gathering information on them. However, the dig sites around the area have yielded evidence indicating that their “accomplishments in community living and the arts rank among the finest expressions of human culture in North America.” Impressive, huh?

And now, stepping away from history and archaeology, chile ristras are the very mascot of the Southwest, in my opinion! These cheery decorations are made not only for the practical purpose of drying for later use, but also for ornamentation. It is said they bring good health and fortune. They can be found all over New Mexico. Check farmers’ markets to find troves of them, along with other unusual desert-made goodies.

I hope you enjoyed my special finds. The Southwest is really a jewel, with a lot of sweet surprises. I encourage you to visit and explore, and fall in love with a new world, just as I have.

And, now the poll. I am going to rely on your input to determine the subject of my next blog post. These are your choices:

  • Wildflowers
  • Animals
  • A new recipe

What say you? Please leave your choice in the comments section below.

Blessings for Sweet Southwest Surprises,

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.

Six Science-Backed Reasons to Get Outside

Did you enjoy spending time outside as a kid? I did. As a matter of fact, I don’t remember spending much time inside, unless I was at school. I loved playing outdoors with pets we had over the years, including lots of dogs and cats, a couple rabbits, and a rooster that I treated like a baby. I enjoyed riding my bicycle and skateboard up and down the driveway. I reveled in turning cartwheels and doing handstands in the grass. I liked climbing trees and fishing with my grandmother at our little pond. I spent many hours on the cool ground, looking for lucky four-leaf clovers. Sometimes, I’d link together the little clover flowers to make a crown garland. On the playground at school, I delighted in running, jumping rope, and playing on the monkey bars and swing sets. What are your most cherished childhood memories of being outside?

I don’t remember being sick very often as a child, and I think all the time I spent outdoors had a lot to do with it. Research shows time and time again how Nature can benefit us. And just because we’re having to lay low now due to covid doesn’t mean we can’t get outside. Actually, being out in the elements is often a better bet than staying indoors.

I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in. ~George Washington Carver

  • In an article on the Centers for Disease Control website entitled Are There Benefits to Spending Time Outdoors?, it is reported that, due to benes such as the opportunity to be active and the sun’s role in producing vitamin D, being outside may elevate your overall health and wellness. If those were the only significant findings from science in this area, they’re reason enough to get out in Nature, wouldn’t you agree?
  • The EPA report Estimating Greenspace Exposure and Benefits for Cumulative Risk Assessment Applications, is a lengthy document which addresses many effects of the outdoors on public health. The findings of these multi-disciplinary studies include “improved cognition, attention restoration, and improved immune function.” Also, greenspaces can “reduce exposures to air pollution . . . and noise.” Kind of the opposite of what an indoor environment provides.
  • The Journal of Positive Psychology published Noticing Nature: Individual and Social Benefits of a Two-Week Intervention, an article describing a study of 3 groups of undergraduates assigned to pay attention to different environments: natural, man-made, and a control group with no change from the norm. The results of the study showed that those assigned the natural environment had more elevated experiences and felt more connected to others and life in general than the other 2 groups. In just two weeks’ time!

The earth laughs in flowers. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

  • In the book they co-authored, Quench: Beat Fatigue, Drop Weight & Heal Your Body Through the New Science of Optimum Hydration, Gina Bria and Dana Cohen, MD, talk about the ways our modern indoor work lives contribute to dehydrating us. (Check out my article Hydration – No, Really to learn just how critical proper hydration is.) Closed environments like offices, with bright artificial lights, screens and other electronics, air conditioning, heating, and even furniture and flooring, absorb vapor from the air. Modes of transportation, including cars, trains, and airplanes have super-low humidities. Now combine all that with the long periods of sitting that many of us do which constricts the flow of fluids in our bodies, and you understand how you can become a very dehydrated individual by the end of the day. That is, of course, unless you take regular action to stay hydrated. According to the book, drinking beverages like fresh lemon water and eating fruits like apples and grapes, as well as doing little things like opening a window, breathing deeply, keeping a plant on your desk, taking quick walks outside, and all movements, even fidgeting, help you stay hydrated. If you’re working remotely now, can you move your desk outside?
  • One of the few triple-board certified physicians in the country, Dr. Zach Bush, says that getting outside can enhance our overall health by diversifying the microbes in our guts. A healthy microbiome, according to Dr. Bush, consists of between 20,000 and 40,000 species of bacteria. He says that Americans, as a result of eating the standard American diet and regularly consuming antibiotics (via prescription and/or eating commercially raised livestock) typically have about 10% of that amount. Spending time in various natural environments can up that percentage. Think forests, waterfalls, lakes, beaches, deserts, rivers, and rainforests. They each have differing microbes that are just waiting to join and diversify the community of good bugs already present in your gut! (Learn more about the microbiome in my article Thinking Outside the COVID-19 Box: 10 Ways to Boost Immune Function.)

Spending time outdoors is not only fun, but also incredibly healthy, according to science. Maybe the fact that it makes us feels so good accounts for the many hours we spent playing in trees, dirt, and water as kids. And now, walking and biking in nature takes me out of my adult mindset and puts me in touch with a sillier, more playful part of myself. It still makes me feel like a kid.

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. ~Albert Einstein

Blessings for Time Outdoors,

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.