Just say "NO"!

Really, I wish it was that easy (it sure is for my 8-year-old)!  It should be..I mean, I'm a confident, strong, outgoing middle-aged woman who knows what makes me happy, right? Then why is it so hard for me to decline the endless requests for volunteer help at my son's school? Does it fill a need to please? To control something? Quite honestly, I'm not so sure, and please tell me I'm not alone in this quandary.

I do know that being overcommitted overwhelms me.  Dr. Mao wants us to realize that there is lots of power in the word "no" and that we just have to relearn how to use it, just like we were two-years-old again.  "When we are able to acknowledge our limitations and our need for peace by saying no to additional burdens, we reclaim control of our lives and reduce stress (Secrets of Longevity)." And, when we reduce stress on ourselves, we are happier...and I bet everyone around us is happier too.

So, now I'm done with all of the baskets for our upcoming auction..oh, wait, I need to "show and tell" them at the cafeteria all next week. Ok, when that's done..oh wait, I'm a dancer in our "Dancing with the Stars" themed auction party.  Then it's chairing "Blue and Gold" field days in May...and then...something I swore I'd never do.. chairing Fun Day next October - our huge two-school carnival.  I promise, after that, I'm saying NO! Someone, please, hold me to it!

Just a small sampling of baskets that have taken over

my house for the past two weeks! 

A spoonful of sugar

Today I was at lunch with a very healthy, vegetarian friend of mine. Taking my own advice (well, and that of Dr. Mao's) I ordered hot, green tea and then I grabbed a Splenda packet to sweeten up my cup.  Sitting across from her, I saw the irony in what I was doing - trying to live (and blog about) a healthier and longer life, taking my daily supplements, drinking 3 cups of green tea daily, and here I was, not thinking twice about filling up my healthy drink with an artificial sweetener!

It's well-known that some artificial sweeteners can pose a danger to one's health. Saccharin is carcinogenic as its' been shown to produce bladder cancer in rats. I know the jury is still out on the others, but common sense leads me to believe that artificial anything won't make it to any top 100 list of healthy foods.

I admit it, I began using "Sweet -n- Low" years ago as a calorie saver, and instantly became addicted to the sweetness. Splenda arrived with its' claim to be only one molecule away from the real stuff...well, at least that's what a Splenda executive told my husband on an airplane one day, and I quickly switched from the pink and have been a fan of the yellow for years now.

So sitting across from my size 0, 40-ish-year-old girlfriend, I put the yellow back and went for the sugar. Seriously, do I honestly believe that the extra 16 calories (per teaspoon) that real sugar provides is going to sabotage my weight goals? I eat an extra 16 calories every time I take a crumb of chips off my son's lunch plate. In fact, there are no studies to indicate that artificial sweeteners make any difference at all in weight-loss goals (Secrets of Longevity, by Dr. Maoshing Ni).  We do know that cancer cells can feed on excess sugar in our bodies, but fortunately I've never been a sugar junkie...and I bet an occasional teaspoon in my tea isn't nearly as harmful as the artificial stuff.

At this point in my life, I believe natural is better, and moderation is key (actually I've always adhered to that one). There are some alternatives out there for those of you not wanting any sugar in your diets, but still needing that sweetness. Stevia, an extract from a tropical plant, is a great zero calorie, zero carb, 100% natural alternative to sugar. In fact, overseas, Stevia accounts for up to 40% of the sweetener market. Diet Coke in Japan is made with Stevia vs. NutraSweet or Splenda.  I've used Stevia, and it sits on my pantry shelf, but I'm still getting used to the taste.  Also, Agave Nectar, made from the juice of the succulent agave plant (the same plant that gives us tequila), is a great alternative to sugar and honey. I often use this in my tea at home, as well as on waffles and pancakes, and as a sweet addition to a fruit smoothie. Add some to plain yogurt with walnuts and cranberries and you have a delicious morning treat. I love the taste of this sweet nectar and my son loves it even more than honey!

So no more artificial sweeteners for me...sugar (on occasion), Stevia and Agave Nectar are all I need.
PS - Stevia and Agave Nectar may also be substituted in your recipes for baking, and there are many sites available on-line for conversion assistance.

Stevia Plant and powder

Purchase the highest quality Stevia you can 

to avoid any bitter aftertaste.

Agave Nectar

Available now at most grocers and health food stores.

Use as substitute for maple syrup and honey. 

Laugh your way to Longevity

Too funny...

My nine-year-old daughter walked in while I was getting ready for work. "What are you doing?" she asked. "Putting on my wrinkle cream, " I answered. "Oh, " she said, walking away.
"I thought they were natural. " (Deb Fillman, Reader's Digest)

My friend is a Botox junkie - she can't stop getting the injections. But surprisingly, when I reminded her to get her flu shot, she shuddered. "I hate needles."
I had a solution: "Just pretend it will make your arm look younger." (Linda Lange, Reader's Digest)

One of my favorite Dr. Mao's tip is to embrace the gift of laughter. There is no doubt that joyful people live longer, healthier lives. The late Norman Cousins pioneered "laugh therapy" and discovered that laughter and joy boosted immune functions, particularly the production of the natural killer cells that defend the body against infections and cancer. A good belly laugh can also increase endorphin release in the brain.
So make laughter a big part of your day. Read the comics, watch that favorite show, or call that friend that is sure to make you laugh so hard that you cry...you'll be laughing all the way to the longevity bank!

Heard any good jokes lately?