res·o·lu·tion   (rz-lshn)

The state or quality of being resolute; firm determination. A resolving to do something. A course of action determined or decided on.

New Years is typically the time of year we engage in the tradition of making and starting resolutions.  With the last year coming to a close and a new year beginning, we look at our life and make re (again) solutions (methods of solving a problem).  So it`s basically looking at differences between how you would like to live your life and how you are actually living it, and make changes to congeal the two into one.

Unlike my good friend Joe, who says that morals are edible mushrooms and new year`s resolutions are the fertilizer they grow in, I think a little self analysis every now and then is a good thing.  So my New Years resolution is to try to live closer to nature.  To try to live my life more in accordance with the laws of nature. 

This does not mean that I`m moving to a tree in the forest and eating nuts and berries.  I`m going to take the four facets of health and try to modify them to make them gel and be in tune with nature.

1. Diet:  This includes what you put into your body for fuel.  Aside from the usual resolution of eat less meat and more vegetables.  I`m going to pay attention to were my food comes from.  With genetically modified foods becoming more and more common, we have to inform ourselves of the dangers of these types of foods, and take steps to avoid them.  To start my own organic garden to grow as much of my families vegetables as possible and to get the rest from a local farmers market or coop that uses organic gardening tenets.  The benefits of this I will expound upon in a later issue closer to spring growing season.

2. Exercise:  This includes what you burn that fuel doing.  The benefits of a healthy exercise program include not just weight loss, which has profound effects on your health, but prevention of Alzheimer`s, prevention of arthritis, and even the prevention of Parkinson`s Disease.  Their are as many different exercise routines as there are people to try them.  One of my favorites is walking.  It doesn`t require any special gear, no special training, and you can do it just about anywhere.  Walking/hiking trails at state parks kill two birds, you exercise and improve your mental attitude by being outside closer to nature.  Coincidentally, working in my organic garden is another good form of exercise and improves our next category, mental health.

3. Mental Attitude:  A positive mental attitude is essential for healthy living. The mind-body link, which was largely ignored in Western medicine until recent years, plays an important role in how the body handles stress. Growing evidence indicates that a person's attitude can affect health or, at the very least, the perception of health, which in turn leads to a happier life. Yet having a healthy mental attitude does not mean you are smiling 100% of the time. It is simply the ability to cope with life's frustrations and celebrate its joys. It is a sense of peace and fulfillment that you are doing what is best.  Having a positive mental attitude requires the realization that life sometimes presents situations that are beyond your control. There are lines to wait in or traffic jams that cannot be avoided. We may not be able to control frustrating situations, but we can control our reaction to them.

Researchers are finding direct links between emotional health and physical health. Sickness and death rates in heart patients improve when stress management techniques are incorporated into the treatment plan. Visualization significantly improves anxiety and perception of illness in multiple sclerosis patients. Even the pain associated with cancer treatments can be helped with relaxation and visualization techniques.  Daily prayer and meditation have profound effects on mental health as well as working in your organic garden and other exercise.

4. Proper Rest:  This includes turning off late night TV and going to bed at an hour that allows for 6-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night.  Not getting enough sleep can profoundly effect our health.  During the day the body is mainly involved in catabolism, or breaking down food and compounds to expend energy to do our daily routines.  When we sleep is when the body switches to anabolism, or repair and restorative measures to get ready for the next day, including healing.  Exercise and diet play an important role in our sleep patterns.  Also included in this group is restful activities such as reading, listening to music, cooking or gardening.  Anything that de-stresses you will help you to sleep better. 

A quote that I used in a previous Health Food for Thought goes like this....

"The goal of life is living in agreement with nature."
Zeno, from Diogenes Laertius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers
Greek philosopher (335 BC - 264 BC)

My new year`s resolution is to try to do just that.

Laughter Therapy

One night, the Potato family sat down to dinner. Mother Potato and her three daughters. Midway through the meal, the eldest daughter spoke up. "Mother Potato?" she said. "I have an announcement to make."

"And what might that be?" said Mother, seeing the obvious excitement in her eldest daughter`s eyes.

"Well," replied the daughter, with a proud but sheepish grin, "I`m getting married!"

The other daughters squealed with surprise as Mother Potato exclaimed, "Married! That`s wonderful! And who are you marrying, Eldest daughter?"

"I`m marrying a Russet!" "A Russet!" replied Mother Potato with pride. "Oh, a Russet is a fine tater, a fine tater indeed!"

As the family shared in the eldest daughter`s joy, the middle daughter spoke up. "Mother, I too, have an announcement."

"And what might that be?" asked Mother Potato.

Not knowing quite how to begin, the middle daughter paused, then said with conviction, "I, too, am getting married!"

"You, too!" Mother Potato said with joy. "That`s wonderful! Twice the good news in one evening! And who are you marrying, Middle Daughter?"

"I`m marrying an Idaho," beamed the middle daughter.

"An Idaho!" said Mother Potato with joy. "Oh, an Idaho is a fine tater, a fine tater indeed!"

Once again, the room came alive with laughter and excited plans for the future, when the youngest Potato daughter interrupted. "Mother? Mother Potato?

Umm, I, too, have an announcement to make."

"Yes?" said Mother Potato with great anticipation.

"Well," began the youngest Potato daughter with the same sheepish grin as her eldest sister before her, "I hope this doesn`t come as a shock to you, but I am getting married, as well!"

"Really?" said Mother Potato with sincere excitement. "All of my lovely daughters married! What wonderful news! And who, pray tell, are you marrying, Youngest Daughter?"

"I`m marrying Dan Rather!"

"Dan Rather?!"

Mother Potato scowled suddenly. "But he`s just a common tater!"