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HUNGRY GIRL



Did you know that food can sharpen your memory, ease a headache, or fight a cold. Go, food!


BEAT THE BLUES

People who suffer from depression often lack B vitamins. There are plenty of mood-lifting foods, though, that can come to the rescue. Avocados, for example, are a rich source of B vitamins, and bananas (packed with magnesium and vitamin B6) can help relieve stress and anxiety. The selenium found in Brazil nuts and the folic acid found in asparagus can also help stabilize your mood. Other 'happy foods' are salmon, sweet potatoes, and chocolate!



FIGHT FATIGUE

Protein (especially from sources that are also high in iron) is great for providing an energy boost. When you're feeling sluggish, just reach for some lean beef, chicken, turkey, clams, shrimp or eggs, and you'll start to feel more alert. Just be sure not to pair that lean protein with foods high in fats, since the two nutrients eaten together can make you feel tired. Green peas and good old-fashioned water are also great fatigue-fighters!



BATTLE COLD SYMPTOMS

Garlic helps combat cold and flu infections. So sprinkle some garlic powder onto your fat-free pizza or add sautéed garlic to your grilled veggies if you feel a cold coming on. You can even microwave garlic until tender, and then spread the softened stuff onto bread in place of butter (Heads up! You will likely become 40 percent less smoochable after you do this.) If eating all that garlic doesn't sound appealing, take garlic supplements instead. Or try these other infection-fighting foods: oranges, oatmeal, and pineapple!



RELIEVE HEADACHES

People who suffer from headaches are usually lacking magnesium in their diets. Luckily, increasing levels of the mineral in your body can help fight dull aches and even sharp migraines. Cereal rich in whole grains is a fantastic source of magnesium (a half-cup of our fave, Fiber One, provides 10% of the RDA of the stuff). Leafy green veggies and nuts are also high in the mineral. Many people also use ginger to thwart and prevent migraines. Other headache-stompers include brown rice, orange veggies and cherries!


IMPROVE MEMORY

Are you losing your keys all the time? If you want a sharper memory, munch on an apple or a pear. Turns out these yummy fruits contain a mineral called boron, which improves memory and alertness. Some studies also suggest mashed potatoes and barley can cause almost instantaneous memory boosts. (Pssst... Try Amy's Vegetable Barley soup for a low-cal dose of the stuff!) Wondering what other foods are great for memory improvement? Blueberries, acorn squash, papaya, strawberries and spinach. Yum!




CHEW ON THIS:

Saturday, April 14th, is National Pecan Day. Celebrate with a few healthy pecans (they're packed with vitamin E!), but don't get too "nutty" (they're also packed with calories and fat)!

Have a wonderful healthy day,

Duchess Divinity Wellsprings

Once upon a time I was obsessed with numbers. My age,weight and dress size. After all, the powers that be have been telling us for years what and who is beautiful. The media is always ready to plaster unflattering photos of celebrities when they gain a few pounds, with equally unflattering and down right mean captions.

Long ago I made peace with the fact that I would get older and I would never, again,weigh 125 pounds. I won't grace the cover of Vogue, Elle or Cosmo, and I'm okay with that. Thank goodness for a man who loves each and every one of my curves!

I love this poem by Maya Angelou and dedicate it PHENOMENAL women everywhere!


PHENOMENAL WOMAN
by Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies
I'm not cute or built to suit a model's fashion size
But when I start to tell them
They think I'm telling lies.
I say
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips
The stride of my steps
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please
And to a man
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees
Then they swarm around me
A hive of honey bees.
I say
It's the fire in my eyes
And the flash of my teeth
The swing of my waist
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say
It's in the arch of my back
The sun of my smile
The ride of my breasts
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say
It's in the click of my heels
The bend of my hair
The palm of my hand
The need for my care.
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That's me.

Curve: The loveliest distance between two points. ~Mae West

I have an idea that the phrase "weaker sex" was coined by some woman to disarm some man she was preparing to overwhelm. ~Ogden Nash

One is not born a woman, one becomes one. ~Simone de Beauvoir, The Second Sex, 1949


Woman didn't get the short end of every stick. At least God gave us handheld massaging shower heads. ~Rhann Morgan

Steel Magnolia-The Princess Of Passion

Enjoy the mellow sounds of Kenny Loggins



Have a wonderful evening,

Duchess Divinty Wellsprings

Tai chi: Stress reduction, balance, agility and more

Tai chi is a series of gentle movements that can bring about stress reduction, improved balance and many other health benefits. Find out what tai chi is all about.

Tai chi (ti-CHE) is sometimes described as "meditation in motion." Originally developed in China as a form of self-defense, this graceful form of exercise has existed for about 2,000 years. It's becoming increasingly popular around the world, both as a basic exercise program and as a complement to other health care methods. Health benefits include stress reduction, greater balance and increased flexibility — especially for older adults.

What is tai chi?

Tai chi movements

Tai chi is a noncompetitive, self-paced system of gentle physical exercise. To do tai chi, you perform a defined series of postures or movements in a slow, graceful manner. Each movement or posture flows into the next without pausing.

Who is tai chi for?

If you're trying to improve your general health, you may find tai chi helpful as part of your program. Tai chi is generally safe for people of all ages and levels of fitness. Studies have shown that for older adults tai chi can improve balance and reduce the risk of falls. Because the movements are low impact and put minimal stress on your muscles and joints, tai chi is appealing to many older adults. For these same reasons, if you have a condition such as arthritis or you're recovering from an injury, you may find it useful.

Tai chi appears to offer both physical and mental benefits no matter what your age. It's used to:

Reduce stress
Increase flexibility
Improve muscle strength and definition
Increase energy, stamina and agility
Increase feelings of well-being
Tai chi hasn't been studied scientifically until recently. Preliminary research shows that for older adults, in particular, practicing tai chi regularly may:

Reduce anxiety and depression
Improve balance and coordination, reducing the number of falls
Improve sleep quality, such as staying asleep longer at night and feeling more alert during the day
Slow bone loss in women following menopause
Reduce high blood pressure
Improve cardiovascular fitness
Relieve chronic pain
Improve everyday physical functioning
Types of tai chi
Like yoga, many styles of tai chi exist. Some of these styles include:

Chen
Hao
Sun
Wu
Yang
Zhao Bao

The intensity of tai chi varies somewhat depending on the style. For example, the Chen style may be more fast-paced than other styles. However, most styles are gentle and suitable for everyone. Talk to your doctor and tai chi instructor to make sure the style you're using is appropriate for your physical capabilities.

Pros and cons

When learned correctly and practiced regularly, tai chi appears to be a very positive form of exercise:

It's self-paced and noncompetitive.
You don't need a large physical space or special clothing or equipment.
You can do tai chi anytime, anyplace.
It's easy to do in groups as well as by yourself.
You can add new movements as you become more proficient.
Because tai chi is slow and gentle, it has virtually no negative side effects. It's possible you could strain yourself or "overdo" things when first learning, but with proper instruction, this shouldn't pose a barrier to practicing tai chi.

How to learn tai chi

To gain the full benefits of tai chi and reduce the small risk of injury, learn the correct way to do the postures and movements. Strict attention to your body position and breathing are critical, so it's best to study directly under a teacher rather than with a book or videotape. As you attend a series of classes, the instructor can give you personal guidance and correct any errors in your approach before they become habit. As you practice, you learn how to do tai chi without straining your muscles and joints.

Once you're comfortable with the tai chi basics, you can do it by yourself. You may find it helpful to practice tai chi in the same place and at the same time every day. You'll likely experience some health benefits right away, but they probably won't be dramatic. Be patient. Health benefits accumulate over time.

You can find tai chi classes in cities throughout the United States. To locate a class in your community, contact your local senior center, YMCA or YWCA, health club or wellness center.

Although tai chi is generally safe, consider talking with your doctor before starting a new program. This is particularly true if you have any problems with your joints, spine or heart.

Be open to trying new ways of thinking and new ways of being. It may bring you more peace than you ever imagined.

Stay fit and live well,

Duchess Divinity Wellsprings