Foods to calm you down fast

This is a really good article that I read on-line:

Holiday bills arriving in heaps? Lurking taxes turning up the tension? No Valentine in sight? Regardless of the cause, there's an almost Alice in Wonderland counter-intuitiveness to the goodies we turn to for comfort. Instead of soothing our frayed nerves, many of them ultimately make us feel worse.

Take the classic-curling up with a pint of ice cream. It's a total backfire. Why? Sweets are insidious: After the initial rush, the body's insulin response kicks in, causing a sudden blood sugar drop that triggers the release of stress hormones. Soon you're feeling more jangled than you were before you inhaled that whole container of Chunky Monkey. And alcohol, of course, is a wolfish stimulant in calm sheep's clothing.

But true comfort foods do exist.

1. Berries, any berriesEat them one by one instead of M&Ms when the pressure's on. For those tough times when tension tightens your jaw, try rolling a frozen berry around in your mouth. And then another, and another. Since the carbs in berries turn to sugar very slowly, you won't have a blood sugar crash. The bonus: They're a good source of vitamin C, which helps fight a jump in the stress hormone cortisol

2. GuacamoleIf you're craving something creamy, look no further. Avocados are loaded with B vitamins, which stress quickly depletes and which your body needs to maintain nerves and brain cells. Plus their creaminess comes from healthy fat. Scoop up the stuff with whole-grain baked chips-crunching keeps you from gritting your teeth.

3. Mixed nutsJust an ounce will help replace those stress-depleted Bs (walnuts), give you a whopping amount of zinc (Brazil nuts)-it's also drained by high anxiety-and boost your E (almonds), which helps fight cellular damage linked to chronic stress. Buy nuts in the shell and think of it as multi-tasking: With every squeeze of the nutcracker, you're releasing a little bit of tension.

4. OrangesPeople who take a 1,000 mg of C before giving a speech have lower levels of cortisol and lower blood pressure than those who don't. So lean back, take a deep breath, and concentrate on peeling a large orange. The 5-minute mindfulness break will ease your mind and you'll get a bunch of C as well.

5. AsparagusEach tender stalk is a source of folic acid, a natural mood-lightener. Dip the spears in fat-free yogurt or sour cream for a hit of calcium with each bite.

6. Chai teaA warm drink is a super soother, and curling up with a cup of aromatic decaf chai tea (Tazo makes ready-to-brew bags) can make the whole evil day go away.7. Dark chocolateOkay, there's nothing in it that relieves stress, but when only chocolate will do, reach for the dark, sultry kind that's at least 70% cocoa. You figure if the antioxidant flavonoids in it are potent enough to fight cancer and heart disease, they've got to be able to temper tension's effects.

Day Three of the Renewed Me


The wind-chill hit a balmy -47˚c today as I made my way to work amidst the snow drifts and windrows remaining from yesterday's blizzard and snow ploughs. Today also marked day three of my new found dedication to living a more spiritual self. So far I have refrained from eating meat, practised yoga and meditated every day. I have made regular daily entries into my thankfulness journal. My reading has consisted of a book on self-esteem recommended by my psychologist which is rooted deeply in Eastern traditions with meditation being an integral part of its foundation. Supplementary to this, I am also reading the prequel to "The Way of the Peaceful Warrior" called "The Journeys of Socrates", written by Dan Millman.

Most importantly, I've tried to be mindful in all that I do. I do not anticipate any major revelations, but rather a simply deeper enjoyment of what I am doing. Experiencing life this way has already caused me to question some of the choices that I am making. For example, I don't feel like I am ready yet to commit to being vegetarian. Perhaps it is the inconvenience of the undertaking, or a mere lack of inspiration… perhaps it's the fajita chicken breast sandwich slices that remained in our fridge that is making me feel a bit obligated toward the chicken who gave its life in that I should eat it (burying it seems a bit over the top).

My trip to the gym also leaves me feeling a bit confused. I have a pre-conceived notion that a Buddhist-yogi should be lean and… well… you know – yoga-bodied. I have always been a bit on the husky side and, with a background in Rugby and as a Correctional Officer in my past incarnations, carry a bit more muscle mass than your average Joe. I started today on the bike, but found myself craving weights. So, following my desires, I proceeded to lift weights instead. I enjoy the pump, the struggle and the burn of weight lifting. Don't get me wrong, I get a fair pump in the thighs when I am on the bike and that. I suppose the biggest thing about weights is that it tightens you up which works against one's yoga practise. I have always struggled with tightness – excessively so given my dedication as a yogi. So, in the Taoist spirit, I will simply go with what I feel like doing, be that weights or whatever. The key is to remain psychologically flexible.

I am still undecided if I will go to the Buddhist temple or not on Friday. I think I might, but I would have to arrange childcare for my daughter as my wife plays volleyball with her church group that evening. My massage therapist, who goes on Fridays to temple, has offered to share his babysitter with me so that I can go. He's also having us over for a vegetarian meal on Saturday, so I don't want to wear out the welcome mat. Then again, if someone offers something, we should not feel badly for accepting.

I won't get to any yoga classes this week, so my home practise will have to be sufficient. I am re-commencing my guitar lessons Wednesday, however. I still struggle with going out on my own to things like drop-in classes, etc.

Overall, though I would not state I have felt a marked change (and was not anticipating a major revelation), I do feel like I have lifted some inertia that was draining my joy in life. In spite all my mental meanderings here, my main focus lies simply in mindfulness and being present. I practised this when shovelling out our driveway this evening and, though it was still miserable work, I took time to notice things that I normally wouldn't. Enlightenment and Nirvana, in my opinion, is more of an "ahhh" as opposed to a lightening bolt. Life consists primarily of things we consider mundane and take for granted. That is where we must see joy. I learned that lesson somewhat last year when I broke and dislocated my big toe playing slo-pitch (please, stifle your laughter). It was a mess and resulted in surgery, a pin and several weeks in a boot cast. That same toe is now fused solid, and serves as a reminder that, though it's no longer a perfect working toe and it throbs based on the weather, remains a reminder to be grateful I am walking freely and able to run, play soccer, do yoga, etc. How many of you right now are grateful for things such as the ability to walk, to not be suffering from a cold or to be able to see and read these words? That is the beauty and joy that is life. The holidays to the tropics amidst these frigid temperatures would be nice, but life and happiness permeates more into the daily grind than in what we often call "highlights".

And so goes my journey. Off to watch "Paranormal State" now – my one guilty pleasure! It makes me laugh and, thus, joyful.

Namaste.

Mindful Navigation Along the Spiritual Path of the Present


I had a well needed appointment with my massage therapist today. He's an amazing guy. In addition to his massage practise, he also runs Yoga classes, of which I have partaken as well. He and I really connect. We are the same age and have very similar world views. Over the past four or five years we have developed an excellent relationship that has spilled over into enlightened conversation on Yoga, Buddhism and life and general. So rarely do we meet someone that we really connect with. In the end, I think that he and I are very much alike, the essential difference being that he is engaging in his personal spiritual practise much more whole heartedly than I.
That being said, my RMT is always encouraging me. I must admit that I do have a problem when it comes to going to a new yoga class by myself and whatnot. Though those who know me well might find this difficult to believe, I am really a shy individual and quite uncomfortable in crowds of people I don't know. I have taken leaps of faith in the past. For example, when I first started doing yoga in 1999, I sought out a teacher and became a staple in her class for a couple of years. I have also made a few sojourns to the local Buddhist temple for the English meditation sessions on the odd Friday night – something that would benefit me immensely if I were to make it a regular fixture in my week. My RMT is going regularly to Truc Lam, the temple, so perhaps that will aid me in mustering the courage to go myself.

Regardless, my conversation today really left me feeling a need to pursue my spiritual path with more intensity and purpose. As I turn 40 this year, I am at a point in my life where priorities change. First and foremost, I want to be a good Father. Secondly, I want to make a difference in the lives of the children that I teach. Lastly, I want to be inspired and inspire others. This differs from the mentality of a young man who is preoccupied with things like being attractive to women, sowing wild oats and the like.

I have been consistent with my yoga and meditation practise at home. I also do a bit of yoga with my 5 year old and am trying to talk my wife into trying a yoga class (she did a pre-natal yoga class a way back). My wife has been an inspiration to me as she has engaged herself in a rather serious spiritual quest of her own. Though her road has lead to more conventional Western churches, she is still open minded to the ideas and practices of the East.

In any case, I feel a need to commit myself further to my practise and feel that combining a weekly or bi-weekly visit to Truc Lam for meditation and deepening my yoga practise with the odd drop-in class will set me on my way.

As important as meditation and yoga are, they are not the be all and end all of seeking spiritual enlightenment. One must extend their practice beyond the yoga mat and meditation cushion. This is where most religious people fail – say one thing in the church, synagogue or mosque, but live by another set of contrary tenets altogether. My greatest fault is that I read a lot and intellectualise the things I read but can not habitualise it. This is the biggest hurdle I'm finding with the cognitive therapy that I am doing for my post traumatic stress disorder – I can untwist my thinking but the feelings of anxiety don't subside despite being proven illogical or unwarranted.

Perhaps the biggest hurdle in accomplishing the goals that I am outlining here are my fear of new groups of people is my general cynicism toward many of those who make up the local sanghas or Buddhist community. I find so many of them to be self-righteous and miserable which is ironic as Buddhism is about no ego and joy. Perhaps I am being unfair here, but, ultimately, I find much of the movement is infused with flakey people and overly-intense folks who believe that enlightenment is a lighting bolt that will strike if you sit long and hard enough. Equally, I am hesitant to venture into the whole yoga fashion culture of Lululemon and the likes. Don't get me wrong, I love Lululemon, but it is becoming more of a fashion statement and trend – something more of a physical than spiritual realm that this trend is fostering. It's not for me to judge nor to dislike these people, but what it does do is frustrates me as it moves the main thing away from keeping the main thing the main thing. I had similar experiences in several Martial Arts where the books would boast of these Zen and Taoist components and lessons, but the classes were purely physical and aerobic. Nothing wrong getting fit, but if you are advertising something metaphysical, then don't simply offer up a program of effective stretches.

So, it has come down to what I must now commit myself to doing. First, continue my reading and discussion of various texts of the Buddhist, Hindu, Yoga and Taoist traditions in addition to more modern psychology books (many of which are now embracing Eastern philosophy). Secondly, supplement my home yoga and meditation practise with trips to the local temple and the odd 2-3 drop-in classes each month. Third, keep a "thankfulness journal" in which, each day I write 5 things that I am thankful for. Fourth, embrace art by resuming my guitar lessons and exploring my potential with the pastels that my wife gave me for Christmas this year. Five: become vegetarian. I was a vegetarian for a few years back in the early 1990's. Six: practise mindfulness in all that I do. Seven: endeavour to always be kind and positive.

…That should just about do it.

In closing, if you are at all inspired by this, here is a recommended reading list to get you started:

 Hardcore Zen by Brent Warner. If I ever wrote a book on Zen, this would be it!

 Heart of the Buddha's Teachings by Thich Nhat Hahn. This is a brilliant intro to Buddhism and TNH is probably the best Buddhist writer on the subject with a plethora of books. We are luck to have one of his direct students running the local Buddhist temple here in Edmonton

 Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman. This was a classic that I avoided forever because I thought it would be flakey and fluffy. It's not and worth reading

This aside, if you ever want to attend and awesome meditation session and dharma talk here in Edmonton (lead by Thich Phap – TNH's student), anyone is welcome, it's free and it starts at 6:30 Friday evenings. The Truc Lam temple is located on 97th Street and about 114th Avenue.

…and so continues my journey.

Namaste.

Fermenting of the Police State In an Ever-Collapsing Universe


Okay, the beast that is my inner punk rocker is fermenting and coming to a rabid head in my consciousness. In our way too long staff meeting today we had a brief lecture on professional conduct as it pertains to things like teachers being on FACEBOOK, having Blogs, etc. I agree with the policy 100% in that one should never display information or photos of students on one's site, but I do resent the notion of self-censorship they seem to be advocating. One must ask: should teachers be held to a higher standard of condauct than others, and, if so, who determines these standards? Is it wrong if a teacher has drunken photos of themselves on their site in the public domain... afterall, you might notice a beer bottle by me if you saw my FACEBOOK picture. At the end of the day, half the literature we study is written by immoral drunken and drug addict bastards - that's part of being an artist afterall! Do we censor that? What if I want to front a Satanic Death Metal band with my friends on the weekends?

We are developing an antibiotic resistant moral culture by our sanitization of people's personal lives. As long as we have free speech and are not breaking any of our nation's laws, then why should it be perceived as scandal? What right does a schoolboard have to dismiss a teacher because they have a picture of themselves partying in Las Vegas or wearing Speedos? The rules should be simple: if no one is being victimised or abused, if no laws are being broken and no message of hatred or ill-tolerence is being promoted, then what business is it of your employer?

Margaret Atwood shows us in "The Handmaid's Tale" the cost of living in a society where we have "freedom from" instead of "freedom to". Orwell and Kafka have given us glimpses into societies under the close scruitiny of Big Brother. In the spirit of Orwell I say "become a thought criminal". The politically correct and moral majority have eclipsed the people of the real world and this needs to be addressed. In the immortal words of Public Enemy: "we gotta fight the power!"

So people, wear your Speedos if you care to and post those St. Paddy's Day photos of you enjoying a few jars with your mates. Be good, but don't riddle your fun with guilt if it's not guilty fun!

PEACE!

Church of the Spaghetti Monster

...Sticking on a spiritual note, here's a fun web site a friend showed me: http://www.venganza.org/ . Check it out for a good laugh.

As a follow up on my book recommendations a couple of posts ago, I would recommend Dan Millman's "Way of the Peaceful Warrior". It's interesting how the themes cross over to the "Taming Your Gremlin" book and other self-help stuff I've been reading. It all goes full circle with previous reads like "The Tao of Pooh" and various Buddhist books that I've read.

...I still think that "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" sucked though.

Now off to the Spaghetti Church and have a laugh!

Wonderful Web of Spirituality and Belief
...Finding Your Personal Path


Well, it's anew year so I thought I'd visit the old Belief-o-matic to see where my sprituality is sitting. Check it out at: http://www.beliefnet.com/story/76/story_7665_1.html . You just answer a bunch of questions and then it shows you what religions correspond most closely to your beliefs and values. This is a really cool tool for those of you looking for something in terms of your spirituality. So often we are born into traditions that hold no real connection to our core beliefs, culture and the age in which we are living. There are links under each religion listed below that give you a synopsis of what the religion is about. What you decide to do next on your path is entirely up to you....

Here are my results:


1.
Unitarian Universalism (100%)
2.
Theravada Buddhism (90%)
3.
Secular Humanism (84%)
4.
Neo-Pagan (80%)
5.
Liberal Quakers (79%)
6.
New Age (76%)
7.
Mahayana Buddhism (68%)
8.
Scientology (66%)
9.
Taoism (63%)
10.
Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (62%)
11.
New Thought (62%)
12.
Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (58%)
13.
Nontheist (54%)
14.
Orthodox Quaker (51%)
15.
Jainism (49%)
16.
Reform Judaism (48%)
17.
Sikhism (45%)
18.
Hinduism (44%)
19.
Bahá'í Faith (36%)
20.
Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (24%)
21.
Orthodox Judaism (22%)
22.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (21%)
23.
Jehovah's Witness (21%)
24.
Islam (19%)
25.
Seventh Day Adventist (18%)
26.
Eastern Orthodox (11%)
27.
Roman Catholic (11%)

The Rise of Fundamentalism in North America


Every time I see the news, I grow more and more concerned about the power being held by the Christian Fundamentalist Right in the United States. I believe strongly in tolerance and letting people lead their own lives up until the point that the beliefs of others significantly impede on the rights of those who do not share the same view. So often we hear of the Islamic fanaticism in countries like Iran and Afghanistan, perhaps growing blind to a similar movement in America. An indie film that I just watched over the Xmas break, “Jesus Camp”, illustrated an indoctrination of youth much like those Islamic extremists brainwashing youth in their particular brand of the Muslim faith. Are we becoming unwittingly fundamentalist our selves in the support of things like the mission in Afghanistan? Is there another agenda hiding beneath the guise of spreading democracy? Is any nation’s foreign policy ever truly benevolent? If we look closely to the answer of many of these questions, we might find our individual silence to be akin to those who turned a blind eye to National Socialism in Germany in the mid 20th century. Any fundamentalist with a massive nuclear arsenal is a danger to humanity. The average citizen must look beyond the evening news feed and become an active part of the process. Otherwise, democracy will be dead and you’ll be amongst the first to go in a megalomaniacs utopian state.

A 12-Pack of Tunes


I had the privilege of being a part of the alternative rock scene at it's peak in the early-mid 1980's. In addition to being the front man for hardcore punk band Ick on Fish and bassist for Moral Support, I had the opportunity to see some of the best independent artists to ever play ranging from the Nils, Asexuals, D.O.A. and S.N.F.U. to the early incarnations of Sara McLaughlin and Sloan and the likes. Being in Halifax and Canada at this point in time was to experience the power of youth against the background of possible nuclear obliteration, protests marches and a desire to change the world.

But, those days are long behind me. At the age of 39 I rarely go to gigs anymore, and when I do, it's usually to see something a bit more folky like the Waifs, the symphony or whatever. There have been a few highlight shows over the past decade or so including the Saw Doctors, The Lowest of the Low and seeing the Pogues twice (though minus the great Shane MacGowan) that I've braved, but I've also let a lot of gigs pass, simply because I feel like I'm past going. I did have a ticket to see former Hüsker Dü front man, Bob Mould, play a year or so ago, but missed the show due to the flu.

I did make an exception this passed November and dragged along my mate, who is also 39, kicking and screaming. The Dropkick Murphys were coming to town and we are both heavy into this Boston band. Despite our reservation of age, we went and what resulted was a treat beyond our dreams. The ticket said "Dropkick Murphys with Guests". To our utter shock and delight, along with a band called The Briggs (who were very good and who I have since purchased their LP), the Chicago Celtic Punk band The Tossers were on the bill. Now my holy trinity of music is The Dubliners (the Father), The Pogues (the Son) and The Tossers (the Holy Spirit). The show was bloody amazing and, in my opinion, though the Murphys rocked, the Tossers totally kicked arse. If you are a fan at all of that Poguesy Celtic punk sound, check these lads (and lass) out.

If you do like the Celtic rock/punk fusion sound, here's a few group to look for. Enjoy!

The Pogues
The Tossers
Flogging Molly
Rum Runner
The Mahones
The Young Dubliners
The Real MacKenzies
The Saw Doctors
The Waterboys
The Spirit of the West
The Dropkick Murphys
The Briggs
Shane MacGowan and the Popes

Recent Reads that I'd Recommend



Those of you who know me know that I've always got my nose in a book. Here are a few of the recent things I've read that are worthy of recommending.

Let's begin in the present. I am currently reading two books: "Taming Your Gremlin" by Rick Carson, and the famous Dan Millman book "Way of the Peaceful Warrior". The Gremlin book was recommended to me by my psychologist (I am being treated for a nasty case of PTSD courtesy of the time and events of when I worked as a Correctional Officer). It is awesome in that it really helps one deal with inner criticism and fosters a positive view of life by getting down to what life truly is about. I think anyone could benefit from reading this book. It's not laborious and technical and can make a difference, even if you think all is well in your world. Life is beautiful – embrace it!

I started the Millman book yesterday. It had been recommended to me by several people over the years, but I simply never got down to it. So far it's okay. Lot's of fever surrounded "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" which I read a few years back and I didn't rate it at all. The Millman book is connecting with me a bit on some level, so I think it will be good.

My last serious read was awesome. It was a collection of short stories by the Irish writer, William Trevor. Though incredibly dark, this is an author I can see myself re-visiting. His gift of prose and character development it superb.

Heinrich Böll is one of my favourite writers, of whom I have read much. Recently I read "The Lost Honor of Katharina Blum" by this great German author and found it very much along the lines of something Camus or Sartre would have written. Though good, it's not his best writing. Definitely recommend you check out some of his stuff.

Staying with Nobel Prize winners, I read two novels recently by the Hungarian Imre Kertész and was not disappointed. Both "Liquidation" and "Fatelessness" journey into the darkest part of the human soul, relating to the Holocaust (the author is a survivor of the camps himself) and leave the reader feeling disturbed. Not happy stuff.

Lastly, I'd recommend the Vietnamese Buddhist writer, Thich Nhat Hanh's "Understanding Our Mind". Hanh is one of my favourite and most read writer on Buddhism and the application of mindfulness in our daily life. Hanh writes with simplicity and clarity, but the weight of his perspectives leaves one weightless in their application. Definitely, if you have any interest in Buddhism or simply in living life, read something by Hanh.

So, there's a few titles for you to mull over. I'm always open to new reading suggestions, so feel free to make me recommendations.

Happy reading!

It's 2008!


It's so easy to allow things to slide, whether we are talking adhering to a fitness regime or laying off junk food. I was gob smacked when I went to open my blog site to see that I've not made an entry since SEPTEMBER! Now, here we are in a brand new year. I advanced my self on the wave of what was hot and new a few months ago by joining FACEBOOK last night. I tend to be before or after the fact with most crazes. For example, I started doing Yoga about two years before we were inundated with the whole iYoga phenomenon, spearheaded by companies like Lululemon. I still don't own an iPod or cell phone though.

So, making a New Year's resolution some 6 days after the fact, I resolve to try to keep my blog a bit more current. I am also keeping my daily commitment to activities – going to the gym, yoga and meditation. I resolve to keep reading quality writing and listening to good music. The energy that is our life is a beautiful thing not to be wasted. Belated Happy New Year and carpe diem!