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First-Person Stories (January 2010)

My musings on life's wonder and mystery...and, of course, stuff about sinus and allergy concerns.

Please scroll down to view past entries.

January 28, 2010

I wouldn't call these dumb food allergy advisories but found them to be pretty funny nonetheless. Suppose the idea behind these labels is that it's safer to be extra obvious because you just never know nowadays when people sue you for making hot coffee allegedly too hot.

If you want to be further amused and get few more chuckles, click here.

January 25, 2010

We can agree plants add aesthetic pleasure to any environment. But I wonder how many of us consider their healing power. Viewing this will deepen your appreciation for them, I am sure. Now only if I could develop a greener thumb and reciprocate the healing to my plants....

January 21, 2010

Here is my recent artwork titled, "Invasion". As I enlarged it, it became more blurred. Though this is due to my lack of technical skills, I am kind of liking this effect. To see the more-focused version, check out my art gallery here.

January 18, 2010

I grew up with Korean foods that were often plant-based. But in later years, that pattern changed and now eating more vegetables and less meat is an ongoing challenge for me. It's not easy to just completely stop our conditioned way of eating. So this sound advice from Dr. Andrew Weil, who counsels people to eat less animal protein as a way to lower their intake of saturated fats and avoid environmental toxins, gets my another thumbs up. Hope it helps if you want to go veggie as well.

Use meat as a side dish, not as the entree.
Prepare familiar meatless meals such as bean burritos and pasta salads.
Eat meatless gradually. Start with meatless breakfasts and then incorporate meatless lunches as well.
Substitute fresh vegetables for meat in recipes. Vegetarian chili can be just as delicious as the meat-based version.
Try meat substitutes. Tempeh, wheat meat (gluten) and whole soy products such as tofu or edamame can be as satisfying as meat, and are good sources of vegetable protein.
Try new types of cuisine. Many ethnic cuisines offer meat-free dishes; you may not miss the meat when you have new flavors to entice you!

January 14, 2010

My son is in the cross country team at his high school and has been running almost daily after school. I am really impressed by his commitment to running and how it has gotten him physically fit. So he inspired me to have a crack at it since one of my new year's resolutions is to be physically stronger. Guess how far I was able to run before I dropped dead on the first try? Half mile! I know, it's pitiful. But hey, at least I did it. The second run last Sunday was a bit easier. And I am sure with time and regular practice, I will be the next fastest runner in the world. Well, that's my delusion and I am sticking to it. Besides my delusional belief, I turned to some powerful, inspiring words by folks who know what they are talking about, to keep me motivated. I will find help wherever I can with this challenge.

"What distinguishes those of us at the starting line from those of us on the couch is that we learn through running to take what the days gives us, what our body will allow us, and what our will can tolerate."
-John Bingham, running writer and speaker

"I run because it's so symbolic of life. You have to drive yourself to overcome the obstacles. You might feel that you can't. But then you find your inner strength, and realize you're capable of so much more than you thought." -Arthur Blank

"In running, it doesn't matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, 'I have finished.' There is a lot of satisfaction in that." -Fred Lebow, New York City Marathon co-founder

"We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort." -Jesse Owens, track and field athlete with four gold medals

January 11, 2010

I am not sure when but somehow bananas became a regular staple in my household. It's constantly on our shopping list. Must confess it's not my favorite fruit but has its appeal. For on thing, it isn't messy to eat...just need to peel it well. I often turn to it as a healthy snack to tide me over to the next meal when my tummy is growling for food. So, it was interesting to receive this informative email from my friend about...you guessed it...bananas! Wow, after reading this, I have newfound respect and love for my bananas. Read on and you may feel the same way. Yay! Go Banana!

dancing banana Pictures, Images and Photos

Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.
Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.
PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.
Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.
Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.
Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.
Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.
Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.
Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.
Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.
Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.
Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.
Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.
Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD):Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.
Smoking & Tobacco Use: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.
Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.Strokes: According to research in "The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!
Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"
P.S. Bananas must be the reason monkeys are so happy all the time! I will add one here; want a quick shine on our shoes? Take the INSIDE of the banana skin, and rub directly on the shoe...polish with dry cloth.

January 07, 2010

My family and I have a new year's tradition. On January 1st, we hike in the hills of Chatsworth, a neighboring semi-rural town. The area is dotted with great big boulders. We would choose one, climb to the very top of it and there we are greeted with stunning vista. Once we get settled, we have photos taken of us together. Then each of us takes turn and shares three personal goals and one family (together) goal for the new year.

Our goals/resolutions are specific, realistic, and achievable (with effort) with positive outcomes. Often topics deal with success with work, school, health, and so on. Once we get home, we print the photo and goals and laminate them. Then each of us gets a set to keep throughout the year.

This year we added another tangible element to the ritual by creating a bracelet (see the photo) with each bead symbolizing a goal. The bracelet stays on 24/7 so we are constantly reminded of our individual and collective goals. Cool idea, don't you think?

I must say it's a great way for us to start a new year. We let go of the past and start fresh with new vision. We experience physical, mental, and spiritual renewal. This is one family tradition, I hope, that would be passed on generation to generation.

January 04, 2010

I had the delicious, comforting, Korean traditional food called dduk-guk for the new year. I believe eating dduk-guk on January 1st is meant to bring good luck to me with a long life.

This got me wondering, “What is considered the “good luck” food in other countries or according to different beliefs?” I would love to hear it if anyone has something to share about the topic.

Below is a video showing what dduk-guk looks like and how it's prepared. Yum!

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