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Robin Recommends…
Robin Recommends…
A special section of the HeartMatters website in which I highlight a listing of businesses offering products and services that have been verified by me to support an optimally healthful lifestyle. Let these businesses, restaurants, grocery stores, and specialty shops know that you saw them listed on my site and show your support of their efforts by enjoying a meal, purchasing food to take home, or engaging their professional services that will enhance your quality of life. Let me know of a business you would like me to put into the spotlight. Spread the word!
Posted in Robin Recommends... | 
Tags: business, community, grocery, health, restaurants | 
No Comments »Cardiology Update: Take Away Message
Two key concepts from the annual Mercy Heart Institute Cardiology Update seminar.
- Regular, moderate exercise will decrease your risk of all cardiovascular events by 50%.
- Obesity is a risk factor for Atrial Fibrillation.
What caught my attention about these two statements is that they are related to personal choice. These two simple sentences reiterate that we have a role in our state of health. Both are connected, as obesity is related to level of physical activity, in addition to how much and what types of foods we choose.
All cardiovascular events means heart attack, stroke, and sudden death. Secondary health consequences are diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and grumpiness.
Obesity is at epidemic proportions in our country. Of all the health consequences I am aware of related to becoming overweight and obese, learning that there is a causation to Atrial Fibrillation was new knowledge for me. (read more about Atrial Fibrillation at http://tiny.cc/zrHN6) A Fib can lead to stroke which is a devastating, life altering cardiovascular event.
Choosing to eat well and maintain a routine physical activity program are key components of your optimal health endeavor.
What type of activity are you going to enjoy today?
Introducing…
…my colleague and friend, Kathy Sheffield, RD, LMFT. Kathy has devoted her professional life to the subject of food, nutrition, eating practices, and the psychology of eating. She counsels people, teaches, and writes on the subject of eating. After 20 years as a clinical nutritionist, presently she practices as psychotherapist and nutritionist, advising people who have eating dilemmas like overweight, obesity, eating disorders, medical conditions, and nutritional conditions. She counsels with people individually in her office in Nevada City, California, and by phone or Skype.
Her burgeoning website, www.theeatingguru.com is now up and running. Check it out!
Robin Recommends…Project Simplify
Project Simplify
Proprietor: Shawn Tuttle
Services: Simplification and organization help for independent professionals. Project Simplify helps professionals organize their office and simplify their workflow to make space for their purpose.
Robin’s Thoughts: Shawn makes becoming organized fun!
Contact Info
Web: http://projectsimplify.com
Phone: 530-205-5775
Email: shawn@projectsimplify.com
Posted in professional services, Robin Recommends... | Tags: project simplify, Shawn Tuttle | No Comments »Robin Recommends…Freelance Lance
Freelance Lance
Proprietor: Lance Brown
Services: Writing, editing, web site creation, other communications & marketing services
Robin’s Thoughts: Lance has provided unmatched attention to detail during the building of my website, not only from a technical perspective but also content related. He is witty, charming, and quite bright. Lance’s ideas are out of the box, he drinks a lot of Coke, and does not like banana bread.
Contact Info
Web: http://lancebrown.org
Phone: 530-272-2006
Email: lance@lancebrown.org
A bike ride saved my brain…
I felt a bit crabby, my vision was blurred, my thoughts were disconnected, and I wasn’t quite sure at what point in my “learning more about the back end of my new website” session I was. I had entered a technology dead-zone–brain dead that is.
Spending too much time sitting still, especially in front of a computer brings me to that place every time. But today, I had a deadline, a project to complete before bedtime, a commitment had been made, so there I was. With my brain beginning to sizzle and my body feeling antsy. It was getting late, dusk was around the corner.
Aha! A bike ride. Brilliant!
I went out fast, and pushed hard for 50 minutes, while riding our standard neighborhood loop. My senses were so relieved to be outdoors and stimulated by the beauty around me. A sweet, rich aroma permeated the cooling evening air, birds sang from the treetops, the dipping sun cast warm golden light, neighbors walking dogs smiled and waved as I passed, my legs felt strong, lungs were full, heart pumping to keep up. I felt … marvelous.
Relieved of tension. Able to let go of the brain strain. Buzzed by endorphins. Pleasantly fatigued muscles. Quieted mind. Rejuvenated.
Grateful.
Perception…something to think about
This was shared with me by a dear friend and is worthy of you seeing it as well.
Washington, DC Metro Station: On a cold January morning in 2007. The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approx. 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.
4 minutes later:
The violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk..
6 minutes:
A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.
10 minutes:
A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly.
45 minutes:
The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.
1 hour:
He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.
No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.
This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people’s priorities. The questions raised: in a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?
One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made…. How many other things are we missing?
