The Dragon Slayer's Guide to Life

Brain, Biology and Behavior Lectures

This link was sent to me by someone looking for a little link love, which usually just annoys me, but it actually looks like there are some interesting lectures in here on topics that I know several of you have an interest in such as decision making, the effect of pain on the brain, psychopharmacology, etc. Check it out if so inclined...

SO, you’ve decided to get in shape. ( Again )

"Nothing tastes as good as being in shape feels."

If I could just have remembered THAT little bit, I wouldn't be carrying around this extra ten right now. My Aussie buddy, Craig Harper has made his best selling e-book, "So, You've Decided to Get In Shape (Again), available to you for free if you subscribe to his blog. If you like smart, pithy, practical help with the occassional rant (ahem, you are HERE, aren't you?) then you will like Craig just fine so I do happily recommend him to you.

I gave the book a read myself and it's nice, simple, practical, to the point, filled with adorable Aussie-isms (sorry but I have a think for Aussie slang) and will get you to look down sheepishly at least six times but hey, why should I be the only one?

For those of you who don't know Craig, Craig Harper is one of Australia’s leading presenters, educators, motivators and commentators in the health, fitness and personal development. Craig has been an integral part of the Australian fitness since 1982. In that time he has worked as a personal trainer, corporate consultant, personal development speaker, university lecturer, AFL conditioning coach, radio host, TV commentator, writer and business owner. Craig can be heard regularly on the ABC, GOLD FM, SBS, SEN and LIGHT stations in Melbourne. He can also be seen weekly as the host of Foxtel's Living Life Now and as expert for Network Ten's '9AM' morning show.  www.craigharper.com.au

The Importance of "Alone Time"

"Scotty!  Laura!  HURRY!!! Someone is stealing your car!!!!!"

Well, not exactly.

It was actually me, trekking out through the rain at midnight last Wednesday in the middle of the Northern Minnesota wilderness, to steal the car for a little "me time."

A Potpourri of Thoughts, Reflections and Reminders on Self Care

Time alone to reflect on life is essential to wellbeing.

No one can process your journey for you.

Self care is not something to resume after a crisis has passed. Crises have a way of stacking up. A centering or calming mindful activity is essential for true health.

Collapsing and exhaustion do not count as relaxation.

No one will ever really know what life and death look like through your eyes. They don't have to. Draw your own conclusions about the journey.

You only have one body. It is best to love it.

Your stress is your own responsibility, it is not up to anyone else to make yours go away

We are spirit, body and mind...all must be attended to and acknowledged if you truly want to thrive.

One of Those Modern Women, And Kinda Cute, Too, But Would I Marry Me?

"So, let me aks you sump'n. Are you one of dos modern women who makes up dere own name?"

First, let me say, I love Chicago guys...the real "Chicahgo geisszz". I was raised around them and they are like no other men I've ever met.

This question came from a roofer who noted that my last name is not the same as my husband's.

Yep. I'm one of those modern women. I made up my own name.

Now, while I've been laughing about this for a few days now, it also has been working on my mind. Think about the conscious decision to take your own name. A variation on the marriage ceremony, if you will. If I asked myself to marry myself, would I say yes?

I'm not convinced I would if I'm really honest about it.

What is Hawaiian Lomi Lomi Massage?

Hawaiian Lomi Lomi Massage, Temple Style

Hawaiian Lomi Lomi Massage is an ancient, polynesian healing art form that has a sacred foundation and spiritual basis. Practiced by a kahuna (an expert or specialist in a particular field), it was a rite of passage and was performed on an individual continuously for days until he or she gained insight as to what his or her purpose in life was. It was also passed down within families from generation to generation as a way of everyday healing and well-being.

Put a Little Sugar in Your (Think) Tank

On more reason to get your honey some Valentine's Day candy...It's her ticket to Mensa, baby!

Interesting article by Eric Wargo in the APS Observer entitled "The Power in Willpower"

Until recently, psychologists used to think of “willpower” as a metaphor, part of folk psychology having no relation to what actually happens in the head. The brain, seat of our decisions, wasn’t a muscle, after all. Self-control wasn’t “powered”, it was a cognitive thing, more like a computer than a car engine.

But new research from a lab at Florida State University is revealing that folk psychology was right all along. Self-control takes fuel — literally — and when we exercise it, resisting this or that temptation to misbehave, our fuel tank gets depleted, making subsequent efforts at self-control more difficult.

Read the full article

Are You Chronically Dehydrated? Water and Wellness

#1. 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated.(Likely applies to half the world population.)

#2. In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is mistaken for hunger.

#3. Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as 3%.

#4. One glass of water will shut down midnight hunger pangsfor almost 100% of the dieters studied in a University of Washington study.

#5. Lack of water, the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue.

#6. Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.

#7. A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing onthe computer screen or on a printed page.

#8. Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%., and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer.

Are you drinking the amount of water you should drink every day? Don't like the taste of your water? Concerned about the safety of your water? Check out Shaklee's BestWater solutions http://www.shaklee.net/wellness_support/prodWat

The Impact of Stress on Health: Even Retirement Won't Save You

The San Francisco Chronicle published an overview on the effects of stress on health. Here is how it starts...

A sensible person might argue that at 74, Connie Berto should be enjoying the quiet luxuries of retirement, like afternoon naps and baking pies. But like most Americans, Berto has picked the rush of an active, nonstop lifestyle over peace and quiet.

"I'm always on the go, go, go," said Berto, who lives in the Sleepy Hollow community in Marin County. "My husband and I have a lot of interests and volunteer work and grandchildren - 2-year-old twins that I babysit all the time. I have two horses in the backyard, and I do all the cleaning and the cooking myself."

And don't get her started on the holidays. "With five kids and their spouses and trying to get Christmas presents for everybody, well, we're always on a tight schedule," she said.

There's no doubt, Berto said, that Americans are more stressed out than ever before. Doctors agree. In fact, they say, Americans are so riddled with stress these days that it's making them sick.

Read the full article.

I'd Like to Say I Am A Fitness Buff...

but mostly it's the cows.

Meet my new animal friends, who posed so nicely for my cell phone camera a couple days ago.

I learned a very interesting thing recently when I read The Gifted Adult.  All these years of wondering why a woman with two black belts and years of participating in one sport after another can't seem to stick with any physical discipline anymore have now reached a conclusion.

I really just like to check things out.