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

Everybody Gains Weight When They Marry

You probably heard it: On average, people gain fifteen pounds in the first few years after their wedding. It is only natural that we want to pamper our spouses and want to feed them – the birds and the animals do it. The point is to put the right and healthful morsels in your spouse’s mouth. Because food can hurt. And food can heal. Also: Get moving – together! Because marriage can be more than watching the same TV programs for fifty years from the same sofa. Here a few ideas: - Attend a cooking course together - Alternate who prepares breakfast and cooking dinner - and then discuss after which meals you feel better - Stop all snacks, preferably before you have children who will follow your example - Plan an outdoors activity every weekend: a hike, a bike tour, a walk, a (healthy) picnic, a dive - whatever moves you - Have sex often – it’s good for the marriage and good for the immune systems - Take turns on a simple rowing machine/stationary bike in front of TV - Eliminate all dairy (butter, cream, yogurt, milk, cheese, etc.) most of the time – and experience the difference - Find recipes for a sinful birthday cake made without flour (hint: Viennese walnut cake - made of nuts and cream) - Don't spend your money on juices and soft beverages; stick to water, herbal teas, green tea, black tea. Hug and kiss and touch often – and have a happy marriage! Read More 
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Micro-Movements, Revisited

When your back screams that you need a massage, but there is no way you can get one, what is a good alternative? Micro-movements are – I have discussed them previously. Recently, during our Europe trip, I was in dire need of a massage after the flight and hours of sight-seeing. At night, in the hotel bed, my back was in little knots all over. Lying there, feeling sore everywhere and feeling sorry for myself, I started moving into those tiny knots. That is, I focused on a spot of pain, and very slowly and very minimally, tightened the muscles in the area. The trick was to tighten just the muscles that might be involved in the knot – not the whole back. It is a method I have been taught by Trager bodywork – to push or pull against the tiniest of resistance. Here, in bed, there was nobody to give me resistance – but the knotty muscles themselves were a point of resistance. By playing around with wee-wee movements - very slowly tightening, gently releasing – the pain gradually left. How it works? It is, apart from the small, releasing movements, the attention one gives the hurting body. Try it – it is a treat you can give your aches and pains: attention. Read More 
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Flying Tiger - Umh! - Flying Cat

We will fly to San Diego in about ten days, for a four-months sabbatical. Although somebody will be at home, we decided to take Otto, the cat, with us - he might miss us otherwise. Or we him. Traveling with a pet is a bit of a nightmare. And Boston - San Diego means a lay-over in Houston; there are no direct flights. My first inclination was to put Otto in the cargo hold so that I didn't have to see his suffering. A bit cowardly, I know. But Otto is the type of cat who nicely curls up beside you for hours and hours of traveling; we do it to Maine all the time. And then gets to be a growling, ripping fierce defender of his freedom if you confine him into a box. Of course, the airlines don't allow the cat out of the carrier on your lap. What to do?? - Reading up on the Internet, cargo looked less and less like a good idea; animals seem to die there, being exposed to extremes of temperatures and pressures. Then I thought of taking him into the cabin, sedated. According to the Internet, sedation is another bad idea; the animal might suffocate when it is too drowsy to move after it toppled. The numbers seem small - but I love my cat. Here is what emerged as my plan: - Booking in advance (which I did today) as only one animal is allowed in the cabin at a time. - Using a soft, air-line-approved carrier (we own one). Pad it with a familiar towel, etc. and have a dark cloth at hand to cover the carrier. Animals seem to endure the stress of being confined and pushed around better in the dark. - Taking a leash and harness because the carrier needs to go through the x-ray machine. - Get a certificate from your vet that the cat is free of communicable diseases and that vaccinations are current. Not all airlines ask for it, but it is better to have it handy. - I still have not decided if I should get a sedative, at least, just in case. I will discuss it with the vet. Do you have experience with bringing pets across the continent and want to share them? Read More 
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