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Blog: On Health. On Writing. On Life. On Everything.

Another Unproven Pearl: Fat - The Happiness Food

Studies have shown that higher fat deposits in the body are found in people who have major depression. But is eating fat the reason of depression? Or is it moving and exercising less? (We know that movement manufactures endomorphins – happiness molecules) Or is it that anti-depressants increase weight? (A well-known and lamentable fact). Eating good fats – even in higher amounts – does not necessarily make you fat. Fat increases satiety, and fat seems to make people happier. At least, some people – and I am definitely among them. As a child, I would arm myself with a spoon and raid the pantry, eating butter as if it was a pudding or ice cream. As it was after World War II in Europe, and food was scarce, my family was not happy! Today, sitting in a Vienna park, I was drinking a coffee with whipped cream, I was happy. Of course, sitting in a park on a sunny day might be reason alone to feel good, but the non-sweetened whipped cream clearly added to my happiness. Our brains are mostly fat. No wonder that my brain likes whipped cream. Unfortunately, I have not found any studies supporting my theory. Except that it is know that too low cholesterol might lead to depression and suicide. But in our fat-phobic society, many people deny themselves healthy fats: butter fat (ghee), olive oil, coconut oil - on the whole, we prefer the sugar high to the deep satisfaction of fat happiness. If you ask me, we should deny ourselves sugar and simple carbohydrates (meaning: ice cream!). But we should bathe our foods in oils and good fats, and should indulge occasionally in whipped cream. Fat doesn’t make fat. Sugar makes fat. Not moving makes fat. Anybody who wants to study this??,  Read More 
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Berries - Gift of Summer

You know by now that I don’t believe in super-foods. We are supposed to eat a variety of foods, always changing with the seasons. Now is berry time! Not everything we call a berry is one in the narrow botanical sense. But I am talking about food here – so let’s take it loosely. This list is not exhaustive – just mouth-watering: * Bilberry or whortleberry (Vaccinium spp.) * Blackberry - many kinds: dewberry, boysenberry, olallieberry, and tayberry (Rubus spp.) * Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) * Chokeberry (Aronia) * Cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus) * Cranberry (Vaccinium spp.) * Crowberry (Empetrum spp.) * Currants: red, black, white (Ribes spp.), * Elderberry (Sambucus - be careful: some are poisonous) * Falberry (Vaccinium spp.) * Gooseberry (Ribes spp.) * Hackberry (Celtis spp.) * Huckleberry (Vaccinium spp.) * Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) * Loganberry (Rubus loganobaccus) * Mulberry - black and white (Morus spp.) * Raspberry (Rubus spp.) * Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis) * Sea-buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) * Serviceberry (Amelanchier) * Strawberry (Fragaria spp.) * Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus) * Wineberry (Rubus phoenicolasius) In summer, we have the duty – and the joy – of eating berries - I am eating fresh blueberries right now. Mentioning that berries are full of anti-oxidants might bore you to tears because you have heard it so often. But it’s the truth, nevertheless. Health benefits of anti-oxidants: • Anti-aging • Protects the skin against sun damage. Yes you heard right: EATING stuff protects you against skin cancer … maybe better than slobbering sunscreen all over you. Best, of course, might be a combination of both. And even more important: sunhat and long sleeves. • Anti-cancer • Reduce high blood pressure. • Anti-inflammatory (and as many diseases are mediated through inflammation, this is a godsend). • Protects the liver (which is the organ that does all the work detoxifying your body). • Anti-bacterial • Immune-regulating • Anti-diabetic • Lower cholesterol • Anti-depressant And these are only a few of the benefits of eating berries. They are probably as true for eating your greens and other vegetables. But since berries are so much more delicious – just do your duty and eat them! You can also plant some in your garden or on the balcony (I used to keep blueberries in containers). And go out for a long walk in the countryside, with a friend and a can, and pick berries for free. Because now is the time! I think (and this now is totally subjective) that berries are sent to us so that we stock up on wholesome phyto-nutrients in order to survive the next winter better. And since I am at it, I might as well mention that I believe smelling the roses (and other flowers) at this time of the year, will get us through the next winter without too much of the winter blues. Pure speculation, of course … but then again, the nose and the olfactory nerves are in the vicinity of our brain. Read More 
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