Eating healthy foods is only a small part of really eating healthy!

One of my new year's resolutions was to eat more healthy. So I cut down on stuff like sweets, cola drinks, alcohol and increased the amount of vegetables, fruits, high-quality juices, wholewheat grains, nuts, beans, etc., in my diet. Basically no brainer stuff, but surprisingly hard to do. But the more I thought about healthy eating, the more convinced I became that eating healthy foods is only a small part of really eating healthy! By that I mean that I believe that just as important is eating slowly, fully chewing the food, eating fully concentrated (i.e., not reading or watching TV while eating), eating with appreciation for the food itself and for the energy contained in the food, savoring each food's different taste and smell, and so on. I really believe that in today's high-paced world we have lost much of these aspects of eating healthy, which were probably once as natural as breathing deeply or getting lots of movement. However, at least in my experience, these non-food aspects of eating healthy are even harder to do than eating the right foods. Anyway, I just wanted this post to be a "hmm, lemme think about that for a while" kind of post, rather than a "this is what I think everyone should do" kind of post. So, what do you think about this? Are there are other factors of eating healthy that I've missed? And how important do you think they really are? I am curious to hear your thoughts. Tomas

A fantastic song for this time of year

Just heard this 2010 song by Annie Lennox and thought it was absolutely perfect for this time of year... and going forward in 2012. It's called The Universal Child:



And here are the lyrics, I believe composed by Annie herself, should you be interested:

How many mountains must you face before you learn to climb.
I'm gonna give you what it takes, my universal child.

I'm gonna try to find a way to keep you safe from harm.
I'm gonna be a special place, a shelter from the storm.
And I can see you, you’re everywhere, your portrait fills the sky.
I'm gonna wrap my arms around you, my universal child.

And when I look into your eyes, so innocent and pure.
I see the shadow of the things that you've had to endure.
I see the tracks of every tear that ran ran down your face.
I see the hurt, I see the pain, I see the human race.
I can feel you, you’re everywhere, shining like the sun.
And I wish to God that kids like you could be like everyone.

How many tumbles must it take before you learn to fly.
I'm going to help you spread your wings, my universal child.

I can feel you everywhere shining like the sun.
And I wish to God that kids like you could be like everyone.
And I wish to God that kids like you could be like everyone.

Is this what pure joy looks like?

This is about as close as I've seen!

2012: Let's live in a way that does not infringe on the rights of future generations

Recently while working on a translation assignment, I came across some incredible words about the currently popular topic of "sustainable development". I found the words so pertinent to today's situation on planet Earth  that I want them to be the last words on this blog before I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. These words will certainly inspire me greatly as I think about my priorities for 2012.

Permanently sustainable development - or more precisely, way of life - is focused on the search for harmony between man and nature, between society and its environment, so that we come as close as possible to the ideals of humanism and reverence for life and nature in all of its forms and in all time horizons. It is a way of life that searches for balance between the freedoms and rights of each individual and his/her responsibility towards other people and nature as a whole, including responsibility towards the future generations. We should adopt the principle that the freedom of every individual ends not only where the freedom of another individual begins, but also where the destruction of nature begins. Let's live so that in satisfying our needs, we do not infringe on the rights of those that come after us.

JOSEF VAVROUŠEK (15.9.1944 – 19.3.1995) - the first Czechoslovakian Minister of the Environment

Charlie Chaplin's speech in The Great Dictator

Wow, I had no idea Charlie Chaplin had this dimension to him. Also amazing how this speech is so relevant to today...

10 easy steps to relaxation

Today's aktualne.cz online daily published (in Czech) a great 10-step guide to relaxing, so because ability to relax is so important for living a happy life, I am taking a liberty of providing a translation below. I hope you enjoy it and actually find the time to use it :-)
--------
Take a look at dogs - they use as many moments as possible for relaxing. Relaxing the body soon results in a relaxed mind. Try it like the dogs do, experts say!

Pick a calm, quiet place, where nobody will disturb you.

Start breathing as slowly and deeply as possible. The breathing should be calm and regular.

Before you begin, do a few excercise to remove any muscle tension.

Get comfortable - sit or lay down.

Slightly tighten and then relax all body parts, one by one: start with the tips of your toes and continue up to the head and face.

Concentrate on each body part, and think about heat, heaviness and relaxation.

Banish all thoughts that may disturb you: imagine how they are physically floating away.

Do not try to consciously relax your mind, just focus on the gradual relaxing of muscle groups.

Remain like this for at least 20 minutes. Then take a few deep breaths and open your eyes. But remain seated or lying down before you get up. And again think of a dog or another animal: before they get up, they always stretch out thoroughly.

Standing in the light | OdeWire

Interesting insights into human health. Plus a great story of a man working hard trying to make the world a better place. OdeWire does make for inspiring reading!

Standing in the light | OdeWire