What a tangled web we weave...

What a tangled web we weave.....

When we attempt to install a new cable box.  I spent a good part of the afternoon battling the Medusa of wires behind a desk and large tv stand.  Our home office, which I commonly refer to as command central, looks like the Sunday ad for Best Buy.  We have so much electronic energy flowing in there, that the fillings in my teeth tingle.  We each have a desk with our own computer.  Roger has recently up graded to the sleek MAC desk top.  He never eats fast food, but when it comes to electronics, he says "supersize it!"  He has a printer scanner.  I have a small desk with  my laptop and a new oversized Air printer so we can print wirelessly from our I Pads.  We have a HD TV with a separate DVR.  We have a cell tower extender for decent cell phone reception.  We have a paper shredder.  We have a wireless home phone which isn't really wireless since it has a phone jack cord and power plug.  And we keep an old fashioned phone handy in case of power failure.  Did I mention the router with the very teensy serial numbers that we often need to refer to?  Time to tackle the serpentine tangle.

So, Roger comes home with the new cable box, three unlabeled bags of black wires, and a new programmable remote, no directions included.  He hands it to me and flees the building for six hours.   I put on some nice New Age music with birds, piano and ocean waves.  I get on the floor and do a few yoga stretches for the necessary contortions to get to all of the wires.  I get on my knees and pray for the wisdom and guidance needed from whoever is the patron saint of technology or hopeless causes.  I was blessed. It only took ninety minutes and nerves of steel to unplug and rearrange the plugs to fit in the power strips, connect the cable box, discover the code to sync the tv to the cable remote and clean all of the wires that were coated with dust since our last purchase.  I can confess to uttering only two expletives when I attempted to get up off the floor.  My dreams of joining Cirque du Soleil were drowned out by the creaking joints and groaning muscles.  Another fantasy gone for good.

Back to the comfort zone of my kitchen, I try to decide which I need more, a big glass of wine or two extra strength Tylenol.  Both win out.  Now the fun of deciding what to prepare from my early morning foray to the farmers market!  I may just start with fresh figs and a sharp Asiago.  

Sunday sunflowers and morning blessings

Soft sheets on my bed and a fluffy quilt on a cool morning

Bird song sounding a wake up call

Turning on the lawn sprinkler before full sun rises

French roast coffee brewing

The Sunday paper arriving earlier than usual

Fresh strawberries waiting for breakfast

The salty sea smell wafting through the open window

The forecast calling for another sunny day

Recalling yesterday

An hour long chat with my sister

And her excitement at seeing the fireworks yet again.

Looking through old family albums with Deanna

And creating an instant digital duplicate with the snap of an I phone

Seeing Roger's delight at a visit with his grandson Brando

Reacquainting over pepperoni pizza

Planning a Sunday stroll with the dog to the Bay

Buying the best nectarines at another farmers market

And maybe some squash blossoms or Thai basil

Enjoying the luxury of nothing "must" do

Just savoring a special ordinary Sunday 

In gratitude for all whom I love

All that I have

And all I can choose to do.

Lose a little and gain so much more!

I am all about food as a flavorful art form, a delicious reason for social gathering, fostering world peace and substitute for occasionally needed psychotherapy.  It may seem like a cliche, but a pint of Haagen Daz and a tearjerker movie can do the trick for about $8 versus a session with a therapist.

Well, since July 1st, I have been refining my relationship with food.  Shedding lifetime concepts about the comfort of carbohydrates has been a struggle.  I would like to think that we have always eaten well, but the fact is that convenience comes with a price. 

 This past year I have been caught in a vicious cycle.  Over the age of fifty, we all accept a few aches and pains as par for the course of life.  I have a degenerative spinal disc disease so chronic pain is part of my norm.  This year I have danced intimately with intense inflammation throughout my entire body.  I have played Russian roulette with different prescription drugs as doctors attempted to relieve my debilitating symptoms.  I was diagnosed with systemic lupus almost thirty years ago.  It has been in remission for about the last twenty five.  It has awakened again with intense inflammation throughout my body.  Joint pain, muscular aches and electrical shock sensations run through nerves.  It has affected my ability to sleep, to move, to sit with any comfort.  The side effects of the drugs put me at risk for irreversible blindness, bone and tissue deterioration and possible lymphoma.  Worst of all I started to gain weight!  For the first time in about fifteen years I had to give up my gym membership,  I have been unable to work, and cooking has been my creative outlet and joy.  Meeting friends for lunch or inviting them for dinner has been my recreation and a welcome distraction from health issues and medical visits.

Motivated by desire to shift back to health and not illness management, I have been reading and researching alternative therapies and causes for disease.  The evidence is well documented.  We are what we eat America!  In this land of plenty, we have transformed our way of eating and we are feeding the pharmaceutical machine with our chosen diet. In order to keep food plentiful, inexpensive, and marketable with an unnaturally long shelf life, (Twinkies now last forty five days), conveniently bagged, boxed, pre-cooked for convenience, we have been killing ourselves softly.  GMOs, pesticides, chemical additives and preservatives, high fructose corn syrup, artificial food colors and sweeteners have made our food supply toxic.  If another country tainted our food supply this way, we would consider it an act of war.    

With intense personal interest, I have devoured the the book THE INFLAMMATION SYNDROME by Jack Challem.   Having borrowed it from the public library, I intend to purchase a copy for reference.  It should be required reading in high school health and biology classes.   It is interesting to note that when we have a food allergy, we are determined to avoid that food at all costs.  I am allergic to crab.  It causes instant swelling and I won't risk death by anaphylactic shock for the pleasure of eating it.   Here is the catch, most people are manifesting reactions to the food they eat in subtle ways.  Without rash and swelling, it is not obvious that you are developing damage to your body until you receive a diagnosis of asthma, arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, or a host of other maladies.  Chronic inflammation causes damage.  It is your body's natural defense system against allergy, infection and toxins.  What we eat can send our immune system into defensive overdrive.  So, if you have chronic aches, pains, sinus allergies, digestive troubles, bloating, fatigue and weight gain,  the warning signs are present.

Since July 1st, I have radically changed my diet.  Each day has been a battle of cravings, rationalization and determination. BUT,  I have lost 8 pounds!  I am sleeping better, my pain levels have improved and the difference shows.  Excess fat cells, especially belly fat, give off chemicals that cause inflammation.  I am determined to create a new paradigm for my health.  My appetite has changed.  I enjoy eating all fresh foods and am never hungry.  I can't eat larger portions without feeling uncomfortably stuffed.  My energy level has improved.  I feel motivated to continue to eat healthy.  I am Re-setting my metabolism as well as my taste buds.

Major changes: 

No processed foods.   If it has an ingredient that I  cannot pronounce, avoid it.

No bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, sugar or alcohol.  This is temporary, while I am trying to lose weight.  The trick is not to eat all of these things every day, just occasionally.  French fries are death.  Anything cooked above 400 degrees becomes toxic especially cooking oils.  

Use olive oil, never canola or soy.  Avoid soy anything.  It is usually a GMO and is allergenic.

Dairy causes inflammation.  This was a real challenge because I drink milk and love cheese.  I gave up yogurt, sour cream, milk and cheese.  I did allow myself a little feta on a salad or some grated Parmesan on romaine.  I did add 2 teaspoons of organic low fat milk to my morning coffee. No more cheese and crackers or lasagna right now.

I eat fresh fruit, a serving or two each day. It satisfies my sweet tooth and prevents homicidal urges from giving up most carbs.  I eat meat, poultry and fish, avoiding corn fed beef and pork which cause inflammation.  Grass fed is healthier and free range when possible. So, fire up the grill!  Lots of fresh veggies and salads with homemade dressing and fresh herbs.  I eat eggs and keep some hard boiled for a quick snack.  Nuts and seeds are good.  I keep a bag with me when I am on the run in case I skip a meal.  I drink pitchers of water that I flavor with sliced fresh fruit, home brewed iced tea.  Who knew that I would enjoy eating avocado for breakfast?

I no longer use cooking oil sprays.  The propellant is toxic and millions of cans end up in landfills.  Instead I brush a little olive oil in the pan.  Better to use real butter on occasion instead of margarine when a recipe calls for greasing a pan.  I've tried coconut oil, but it definitely flavors what you have in the pan.

I drink Veggie Patch juice from Trader Joe's.  it is similar to V8.  I add a tsp of apple cider vinegar to it for extra snap.  The vinegar helps reduce inflammation and is really good for digestion.  It gives a tang like squeezing in fresh lemon, another favorite.  Over ice, it is a pre-dinner cocktail, like a virgin Bloody Mary. Add celery garnish or skewered olives for the full effect and I don't even miss the vodka.

I am seeing and feeling results in just over two weeks.  Next month I will have another blood test to check my C Reactive Protein levels which measure inflammation.  A level of 4 indicates possible heart disease.  Mine hovers around 8-12 which indicates chronic inflammatory disease.  This year it spiked to an all time high of 20.  I am looking forward to seeing a significant drop and perhaps eliminating a drug that may damage my eyes.

Giving up fettuccine Alfredo seems a small price to pay for the joy of seeing Liam, my grandson grow up. I wouldn't trade my wisdom and experience for youth again.  Tomorrow I celebrate my 58th birthday knowing that life will just keep getting better by the way I choose to feed my body, my mind and my soul! 

Sunday prayers

Sweet Spirit

Help us dwell in the richness that money cannot buy

Let compassion bloom in our hearts petal by petal

Cradle us in the comfort of surrender to your power

Assured that your will is to the greatest benefit

Although not always understood in the moment.

May we not be quick to take offense, nor give it.

Comfort those who grieve today

Let tears transform to gratitude for lives shared.

May our words be music to the ears that hear them

Soothe those whose greatest anger works harm 

Let love be carried in the very air we breathe to Sustain us.

May the desire for peace dominate the urge to wield power over the weak.

Bless us with joyful appreciation for our connection to You

And for the abundance and beauty where we reside.

It is the best of times...

Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting two friends (and former coworkers) for lunch.  We went to one of the small local towns, Tiburon where I had lived for five years.  The tiny downtown has little boutiques, art galleries, a movie theater and several restaurants with decks on the water.  We chose to eat at Sam's, a local landmark with a huge outdoor deck overlooking the marina.  Seagulls swooping,,  the breeze rings chimes in the rigging of the sailboats.  Fried or barbecued oysters, seared ahi, cones of French fries and onion rings dance by enticingly as waitresses in tank tops tango between tables and guests.  On weekends, people wait in line for an hour to score a coveted plastic chair and an icy margarita or cold beer.  Even for the locals, you feel like you are on vacation sitting amidst tourists at Sam's.  

I live in the land of plenty.  Most of us do here in the USA, but especially here in Marin County.  The geography is breathtaking and diverse.  Palm trees and redwood forests, vineyards and sailboats, flowers blooming yearlong.  I can hike mountains, sit lakeside, sail on the Bay, gather shells on the Pacific shore or enjoy international culture crossing the Golden Gate Bridge into San Francisco.  All this glory within twenty minutes ride from my home.  

So, we sat and savored the summer day, catching up on life's little details and big events.  Having worked together for years, we became family by circumstance.  This past year brought changes as the business closed.  Michael moved from San Francisco to Sonoma and bought a sports car.  BJ has gotten married and will be moving to Chicago for the next four years so her husband can be close to his young son.  We are all finding ourselves in the job market at almost 60 where experience is trumped by youth supposedly with fresh ideas.  It strikes us as funny as trends in fashion and interior design are 1975 revisited.  Fresh idea?  No, we have SO done that before.  Cruising through Crate and Barrel BJ and I laughed as we saw beautiful dishes, glasses and accents on display that we had in our first apartments in the 70's.  What goes around comes around again and again.

So the three of us chat about transition, changing priorities but not values, downsizing, and creating new homes for ourselves over the years.  More people our age are on the move, reinventing the next career when retirement is not yet an option.  Relocation is a necessary evil.  I cheer everyone on, having moved around the country from NJ to Florida to New England then to California.  So much to discover in other states!  There is beauty everywhere and lots of energy in change.  Each of us is venturing into new fields of opportunity.  We drink a toast to life, making new friends, keeping in close touch with old ones, and the adventures to come.

Proud to be an American...of Italian, English, Irish and Scandinavian descent.

This is supposed to be a blog, a look on the lighter side.  Not a political forum, or a pulpit, yet, the news these days certainly makes me want to stand on a soapbox and scream "what are you thinking people?"

What a world of contradictions we live in.  The government can draft a young man, teach him to use a gun, drop him in a foreign country and force him to shoot other people of different religions, cultures, or political ideologies.   If that same young man refused to bear arms as a conscientious objector, he was put in prison for refusing to kill along with murderers who killed others not sanctioned by our government.

Our founding fathers recognized that people have the right to bear arms.  We are still debating the finer points of what kind of arms, licensing, public discharge of weapons, keeping guns locked up for safety, carrying concealed weapons, and so on.  Now, I am deemed dangerous to the public if I carry liquids on to an airplane, but I can tote an assault rifle around the neighborhood, properly registered and licensed of course.  

Last year, over 10,000 people died in drunk driving accidents.  Marijuana is illegal.  We worry about all of those stoned people being a danger to society.  It would be interesting to find out how many acts of domestic violence take place while under the effect of alcohol. I've never known a stoner who could get up the gumption for a good fight.   Perhaps we should outlaw beer. If we outlawed wine, California would secede, I'm sure..  My father must be rolling in his grave.  He owned a bar.  Maybe open container laws should apply to Starbucks.  I am terrified of all of the SUVs I see driven by harried mothers with coffee in one hand and cell phone in the other, screaming kids in the back seat. Does that qualify as distracted driving?  

We make laws for the greater good of all.  Most of us feel more secure and are compliant with red lights, paying taxes, and not operating meth labs.  We are ready to outlaw or penalize with taxes, junk food, GMOs, and plastic grocery  bags,  

 Once again we have sparked the great debate over a woman's reproductive rights.  I find it so interesting that most people who are anti-abortion for religious reasons are also pro military.  Carry a child to term, raise them with love and ship them off to a war.  That seems tragic too.  For the record, I honor, respect and support all of those who serve, defend and protect the innocent in our country and around the world. While I am pro life, I realize that there are extenuating circumstances when a woman may have to make a difficult choice.  Let her conscience be her guide.  HIPPA laws prohibit anyone from divulging the medical information to protect patient privacy.   A woman should be granted privacy and the right to make decisions about her body.  Personally, I don't want to regulate the size of someone's family only their right to affordable, competent medical care.

Many people are up in arms about the sanctity of marriage.  My marriage, Biblical in origin was never threatened by gay people loving each other.  It tanked completely on its own.  In fact the divorce rate nationally still reflects that the majority of marriages fall apart whether religious or civil unions.  Diligent practice of our own personal faith and integrity should promote loyal marriages and happy families.  Love and loyalty are not gender specific.

In honor of Independence Day, I decided to read again the wonderful historic series by John Jakes beginning with The Bastard.  People arrived in America to pursue freedom of religion and create opportunity for their families. Many were fleeing political, religious and economic tyranny.  We would all do well to remind ourselves of the struggle, bloodshed and principles that our country was founded upon.  Perhaps an examination of our own personal family roots might give some clarity on the issues we face today.  An exploration of my family genealogy shows that I descended from some of the earliest settlers in America.  On my mother's side of the family however, we are more recent immigrants from Italy.  My great grandfather is listed in the records at Ellis Island.  My great grandmother was born on the boat coming over and had no birth certificate only a baptismal record.  We were all immigrants at one time.  Freedom and hope of a secure future still attract desperate people to this great land. 

The inscription on the Statue of Liberty reads:

Give me your tired, your poor, 

Your huddled masses, yearning to breath free, 

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore, 

Send these, the homeless, tempest tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door.

                   Author: Emma Lazarus

And in the immortal words in the Declaration of Independence:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

I am so grateful to have been born an American, even as we struggle to rectify injustice, create jobs, balance the budget, and pursue world peace.