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]]> http://rickoffermann.biz/uncategorized/1882/feed/ 0 http://rickoffermann.biz/family/quinoa-and-black-beans/ http://rickoffermann.biz/family/quinoa-and-black-beans/#comments Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:37:21 +0000 roffermann http://rickoffermann.biz/?p=1863 Quinoa with Black Beans

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After I finished the article I was at first angry at the author.  After a few minutes of thought I was just mildly put out.  Now that I have had some time to think about the article and the author, I feel a little bit sorry for him.  I feel sorry that he has lost the passion that lead him to his chosen career.  I feel sorry that he has become jaded and frustrated with people trying to lift themselves from the ordinary.  And, I must admit, I feel disbelief (and maybe a little bit of anger) towards his thought that our society needs to teach people not to dream of a better life for themselves. The really sad and scary thing is his opinion is being echoed by others in positions of influence.  Our schools universities and even segments of our government have been promoting the need to quit dreaming and accept reality.  But what kind of future will we have if we don’t have dreamers?

In our history we have had many dreamers.  Steve Jobs, Andrew Carnegie, Henry Ford, Walt Disney, Martin Luther King, Jr., Ben Franklyn, Abraham Lincoln, and Aristotle were all dreamers.  Every great thing and many of the things that we take for granted today, are the result of someone’s dream.  It wasn’t the pragmatic thinkers that believed the world was round.  It wasn’t the conformist that invented winged flight.  These things were the result of someone’s dream.  Granted, dreams are not always good and some should never be acted upon.  But if a person dreams of a device or plan to change our world or our perception of it for the better, shouldn’t we encourage him or her?  Shouldn’t that person have access to the knowledge and training needed to make their dream a reality?

Our country is currently suffering from a lack of support for people that have dreams of making something better for themselves and their families. Schools and universities teach only what is needed to meet the minimum standards.  Average is more than good enough for far too many.  Above average thinking and aspirations are becoming a rarity.  I find it hard to believe that a society that was founded on a dream is now beginning to accept the idea that dreamers should be discouraged at a time when we need all forward thinking dreamers we can get.

We need the Fords, Kings, Franklyns, Lincolns, Carnegies and Disneys today more than ever.  We need the small business owner that wants to make a better life for him or herself while creating jobs for others.  We need the scientist that is working on sustainable, renewable energy.  We need the artist, poets, authors and architects that will create the next master work if for no other reason than to inspire others to dream of a better life.  We need the next generation of dreamers if we are to ever make this world a better place for everyone.

So I say to anyone that reads this, don’t be afraid to dream.  Don’t let someone tell you that you are foolish for wanting to make the next great or small discovery that could make a better life for future generations.  Don’t let the pragmatics discourage you from seeing beyond what is currently accepted as truth.  Search out anyone and everyone that can teach and mentor you on the way to your dream.  If you are unable to achieve your current dream, choose another and another until you find the one that takes you to where you want to be.  Always learn along the way and share what you learn to others in order to help them achieve their dream.

I have a dream and I am following that dream.  I have had setbacks and successes.  I don’t know exactly how many twist and turns I will encounter on the path to my dream but I continue on.  I know that on the way to my dream, I will help many others live a better life.  What’s your dream?  What are you doing to make that dream a reality?  You do have a dream don’t you?

SAD is a type of depression that usually affects a person during the same seasons each year.  SAD can affect anyone during any time of the year, but it’s most common during the shorter days of fall and winter.  So who can be affected by SAD?

SAD is most common in:

• People that live in areas where winter days are short and the nights are long or there is a substantial difference in the length of daylight hours during the different seasons
• Women, like many forms of depression, SAD tends to be more common with women rather than men
• People between 15 and 55, the effects of SAD seem to decrease as we age. And
• People who have a close relatives that have been diagnosed with SAD

So what causes SAD?

There is no definite explanation for the cause of SAD.  Experts think it may be cause by the general lack of sunlight during the shorter days of winter.  The lack of sunlight can upset the sleep-wake cycle and the bodies other circadian rhythms and may affect the production of serotonin, a chemical in the brain that affects mood.

What are the symptoms of SAD?

Some of the most common symptoms of SAD are:

• Feeling sad, anxious, moody or grumpy more often
• A loss of interest in your usual daily activities
• You sleep more than usual
• You feel drowsy during the day even after a good night’s sleep
• You crave carbohydrates more than usual
• Loss of concentration
• Social withdrawal, and
• Weight gain

With SAD the symptoms come and go about the same time each year usually starting in September or October and ending in April or May.

How do I know if I have SAD?

SAD can be very difficult to distinguish from other forms of depression because many of the symptoms are the same.  Your doctor will want to know if:

• You have had feelings of depression during the same time of year for 2 or more years in a row
• You have had any of the other symptoms of SAD such as, sleeping more than usual, craving carbohydrates or weight gain
• If  you have a close relative that has been diagnosed with SAD

If I have SAD, how is it treated?

There are several ways of effectively treating SAD.  They include:

• Light Therapy.  This form of therapy is usually used in the morning to simulate sunrise.  This therapy is started in the fall and is continued until spring and must be used every day to be affective.
• Regular exercise, usually in the morning to help you have more energy and feel less depressed during the day.  If you haven’t exercised for a while start with moderate exercises such as walking, swimming or a stationary bike.
• Or if your symptoms are severe enough, your doctor may prescribe antidepressants.  If antidepressants are used, you must take them as your doctor has prescribed.  If your depression gets worse, contact your doctor right away.
• If your symptoms are mild, talking with a trusted friend or therapist may also help you control the depression.

SAD is usually well managed with treatment but you may experience the effects of SAD throughout your lifetime.

In our efforts to stay healthy and fit, we mustn’t forget to take care of our mental health.  Our bodies are an interconnected complex machine that requires all of its components to work together.  Just like our heart health, mental health is vital for a happy productive life.

Feeling tired?  Don’t get the sleep you need, just drink this and you’re good to go for another 5 or more hours.  Feeling short on energy?  Don’t eat nutritious foods, just drink this and you can make it until the end of your work day without a break.

What a bunch of slick advertising bunk.  There is never any mention of the fact that the reason that you are tired may be because you haven’t slept more than 2 hours a night for the last several days because you are so jacked up on energy drinks.  Never any mention of the fact that your body needs real food in order to maintain a healthy glucose level to function without fatigue.  Just drink this and you’re good to go for as long as you want.

Some of you may be asking “What’s wrong with having an energy drink or shot?” “It’s no different than having a cup of coffee.”  Well read on and you may start to think otherwise.

The FDA has confirmed that they have received reports that the popular 5-hour Energy shot may have been involved in as many as 13 deaths in the past four years.  This was disclosed after the FDA indicated that it was investigating the reports of five deaths that may be related to the “Monster” brand drinks.   Additionally, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reported that there were more than 13,000 ER visits in 2009 directly associated with energy drinks.  And an FDA spokesperson said that “5-hour energy has been mentioned in 90 filings since 2009 including more than 30 that involved serious or life threatening events like heart attacks, convulsions and in one case, a spontaneous abortion.”

A recent Consumer Reports found that 11 of the top 27 energy drinks in the US don’t list the amount of caffeine in their drinks.  And of the 16 that did list the amount of caffeine, the amount contained was under rated by more than 20%.  The caffeine along with the other stimulants contained in these drinks can increase you heart rate, increase blood pressure, and over stimulate your central nervous system.  Because of these effects there are people that should never drink them such as:  People with cardio vascular conditions such as high blood pressure, or a history of arrhythmia or myocardial infarction; people with gastrointestinal problems like IBS or ulcers; people with kidney failure especially if you are on dialysis or have chronic kidney disease due to diabetes; people with liver problems caused by hepatitis or alcohol abuse; or if you have a history of panic attacks.

Children and young adults should also stay away from energy drinks as they can interfere with their sleep patterns.  This is especially true for young people that are in school.  Additionally, young athletes using energy drinks are at a higher risk of dehydration which can alter the bodies’ electrolytes putting them at risk for heart arrhythmia.

A spokesperson for Living Essentials, the company that sells 5-hour Energy, was quoted as saying “Caffeine is a good thing.  The only things that we get about caffeine is from reporters, who really have no clue what caffeine does.”  There was no mention of the medical evidence that shows that caffeine can increase you heart rate, increase blood pressure, and over stimulate your central nervous system or the effects of caffeine on people with medical problems or sleep problems.

Granted there are studies that have shown that a small amount of caffeine, before working out, can aid in weight loss and hold off fatigue during the workout, but the emphasis is on the word “small”.  Not the several hundred milligrams contained in most “energy drinks”.  Even the studies showing the potential benefits of caffeine, have all included the disclaimer that more research is needed to fully understand the effects of caffeine on the human body.

I don’t expect everyone that reads this post to give up energy drinks.  I know that is won’t happen.  I do hope that this post makes hesitate long enough to at least consider healthier options for safer longer lasting energy.  As for me, as I continue to work at staying healthy and fit, I won’t be popping the top of any energy drink any time in the foreseeable future.