How to be happy – Yoga Today

 

 

 

 

Today we are going to work on being centered with what is. Not what should be or ought to be, but simply what is as we are here right now. Put aside what you think ought to be or should be and stay with what is. You may think you should have more or ought to have more, but what you have it’s exactly what you have earned. You must learn your lessons. That’s karma. However, it’s ok to reach out for more. Prosperity is good. Just reach out from a place of centeredness and an abundance of energy will fill your life, and you will be very happy with what is.

Sit quiet and still, outside of what ought to be and what should be, and be at one with the moment. Happiness….

Doctor Lynn

http://www.facebook.com/DrLynnAnderson

Removing Obstacles

 

 

Surprisingly very few people are begging in India. The Indians believe that there is no need to beg. Everyone can find some sort of work to do. It is not good to give money to beggars. When we give something to someone who has not earned it we are putting obstacles in their way. A human cannot grow and reach their highest potential unless they work.

When I saw a woman begging with her children my guide remarked that she was taking the easy way. She could work to feed her children. Everyone in India can find something to do to earn money. Many times I saw women in the fields planting crops and sweeping streets. I bought handmade items from a woman’s co-op where village women worked sewing items to help support their families.

It is very easy to put a hand out and ask for something for nothing. But if you really want to help the world give money to those who are working hard; because hard honest work makes the world a better place and is good for the body, the mind and the soul.

Doctor Lynn

http://www.facebook.com/DrLynnAnderson

India - What I would like to share with you

 

 

 

 

 

When you arrive I India at first you are overwhelmed by the noise and the congestion. Poverty and filth are everywhere. Mixed in amongst the traffic, are pedestrians pushing carts, cows roaming freely, elephants and camels. Horns are honking and people are darting in and out. Everyone is working and moving,

Within a few days it all seems so natural. All the commotion is just a way of life. Poverty disappears into village after village of simple people living a simple life. Everyone works. In the villages everyone has a smart phone and many do not have plumbing or toilets.  Technology is the priority.

The women whether rich, poor, old or young are the most beautifully dressed in the world. The country is a blaze of color from the beautiful sarrees. In the poorest of villages you will see women dressed in beautiful colors.

The people are kind even though they have been dominated and controlled for centuries. They are just now emerging as a democracy. Still corruption prevails. India is not a poor country. It is a country where the government is still corrupt. It’s not poverty that holds it back; it’s corruption and greed.

I visited a Shiki temple in Delhi.  Every day the Shiki temple feeds anyone and everyone for free. You just need to show up, grab a plate; sit down and the volunteers will feed you. This is a symbol of wealth and prosperity being used for humanitarian work.

I saw a tiger in the wild, opened my eyes to the cultural and political views of India, and met my yoga guru. I took private yoga lessons in the yoga capital of the world and did a 16 miles white water rafting trip down the Ganga where I was drenched by the river and purified my soul. I witnessed a funeral on the banks of the Ganga and watched young children frolic and play. I visited the Beatle’s Ashram.

I went to an orphanage and met a young man who was abandoned at age two and is now about to go off to Australia on a scholarship to study bioengineering and then come back to India to improve the organic growing of food for a  country that has many mouths to feed.

The normal greeting is Namaste. It simply means I am grateful to meet you. Not everyone is happy and not everyone is nice. Humans can be brutal and cruel, but they also can be kind and caring. When you come back to the US you realize how very good we have it. The poorest of our people live better than the working class of India. But they are not oppressed. Everyone works and everyone eats.

If I can give you one tip when going to India it is to take a roll of toilet paper and keep it in your bag. Toilet paper and western toilets are hard to find. You’ll do a lot of squatting in dirty bathrooms that don’t have toilet paper or towels. But your cell phone will work just fine. Be careful of the cow dung; it’s everywhere. Indian’s love their cows. Don’t worry, you’ll get used to drivng through town with cows, camels, elephants, carts and blasting horns. It’s just the way it is in India; a diverse culture with deep Hindu roots that always bend back to one common thread; be content and be at peace.

Doctor Lynn

http://www.facebook.com/DrLynnAnderson

My Journey to India - Questions for the Swami

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am about to embark on a journey that has been a long time coming. I have always wanted to go to India. I once had a chance, but finances made it impossible. I’m going to see the culture, eat the food, meet the people, go to Bollywood, hopefully to see a tiger, study yoga with my Swami and do some charity work.

Although I have studied intensively yoga and yoga therapy I have never had the opportunity to study under a Swami. I have always wanted this opportunity as I have some questions to ask the Swami. My Swami’s name is Prakash which means bright light and one who has the ability to understand people and to merge conflicting viewpoints into creative harmony.

My name, Lynn, means pool of water; something deep and yet flowing.  He has spent many years alone in the Himalayas and I am coming to India from Los Angeles. The two views of the world could not be different. So I am hoping to merge our points of view into a harmonious flowing thread of understanding.

One of my questions is why in a world of such much does so many have so little. I am sure he will tell me it is karma. This state of the world (the rich and the poor) is so that those with so much have the opportunity to accumulate punya (merits- good deeds) or endure the burden of greed. Either way the universe does have a perfect accounting system.

I believe in karma. In fact I have written a book on karma yoga. The doctrine of Karma states that nothing comes instantaneously. Everything is the product of a long learning process. One of the lessons of karma is that we are all subjected to time gates. In karma yoga a time gate is a passageway or opening that changes your life. There are prosperous time gates and destructive time gates. It is the level of our wisdom that determines which gate we will walk through. Most of the time, due to our ignorance and unawareness, we walk right past the time gates that are open to us. But when we do walk through one it changes our life. It has taken me a long time to discover this time gate I have now walked into. I guess I had a lot to learn before I could open this door and take this journey.   When the time is right some doors close and other doors open.

My second question -What is the meaning of Yoga? This is how I would answer this. I am looking forward to the Swami’s answer.

 It’s not about the poses, the clothes, or the notoriety. It’s about the journey. Yoga is a way of life. It is about living your life as a yogi- one who adheres to the yamas and the niyamas and practices every day.  Every day the world hands you obstacles to test your ability to stay balanced, strong and flexible and of course find peace and serenity amongst the insanity of life. It means to search out the beauty. To observe the nature of life and work so as to live in harmony with all that is around you and within you. Observe things accurately and then act only in ways that serve the highest good. Never act in ways you will come to regret.

I have also come to realize that the secret to finding peace and serenity is to learn to transcend rather than remain locked in the continual spiral of analyzing, questioning and agonizing. It is what it is. Accept all of life with a sense of balance, stay flexible to the constant changes and remain strong in the face of challenges. Observe and then let go and transcend.

It also means to give and to share. The essence of yoga is found in the noble obligation. If more comes into your life than you need share and give so that you might be able to help others. Giving is not just material wealth. It also means to give a helping hand, a hug or a moment of your time to ease another’s burden.

You do not need to venture off to an Ashram to find yourself, or the  answers to life, or to find peace and serenity. You can find it in the midst of Los Angeles. It is not a destination or a place. It is a state of being.

 

The Sanskrit word for merits or good deeds in punya.   It is that which accumulates as a result of good deeds, acts, or thoughts and which carries over throughout one’s life or the subsequent incarnations. I have come to realize that it is not always possible to do good deeds, but it is possible to not partake of malicious and hurtful thoughts, words and actions.  You are your thoughts, your words and your actions and as I wrote in my book, Karma Yoga , “Life becomes what life does.”  If you really want something you must keep the thought, the vision and believe that when the time is right it will come to fruition. In my life I have had to work very hard for everything. But the work and the patience required to wait until the time was right has been worth every step along the path. I just didn’t understand it until now.  I have a few more questions for Swami Prakash and lots to learn. It is good to be the student. I’m off to India.  Here is my journey. Follow me on facebook

 

Doctor Lynn

http://www.facebook.com/DrLynnAnderson

Struggle Yoga Today

 

 

 

 

 

Life requires that we learn to adapt and adjust to life’s situation. Otherwise we risk stress, illness and even destruction. When you move into a yoga pose you must adjust, adapt and finally settle into it. If you struggle you will lose your balance and this is most likely because you have given away your flexibility, your focus and your strength. Stress and other mental distractions may also be involved. Often when we encounter stress we struggle.  So we use the yoga poses as a means of learning how to deal with life’s situation.  Each pose has something to teach you. For example if you lose your balance in tree most likely you let go of your ability to be flexible and sway like a tree while holding firm to your grounding.   Let’s start with quieting the mind and then begin to explore and observe struggle, adaptation, adjustment and surrender.

If you find yourself struggling with the situations of life, you will lose your balance and this is most likely because you have given away your power which is your ability to be flexible while maintaining your strength. As you step into life’s situations try to take a moment to step back and observe. Find your balance, flexibility and strength and then adapt and adjust to the situation with compassion and understanding and not judgement. The situation may not change, but your approach to it will.

Namaste

Doctor Lynn

Follow me on fcebook  http://www.facebook.com/DrLynnAnderson

 

Spiritual Fitness

 

Spiritual fitness just like physical fitness requires constant work. You must get up every day and participate. It is more about the journey than the final destination.  Spiritual fitness is about experiencing the moments rather than always running against time. The moments then become a sense of elation. We become empowered by the moments.

This does not mean that obstacles will never present themselves or that we will never have to endure challenges. Once on the path of spiritual enlightenment the challenges of life will be more easily met and the obstacles will no longer appear too large. However, we must continue to practice.

An athlete doesn’t stop running because he won the race. He continues to practice so he will be fit to meet the next challenge. This is the way it is with spiritual fitness.

So although we are here to work our body, remember to work at easing your mind and filling your soul with the light of spiritual energy. This is our practice today – to observe the moments and enjoy the fun.

 

Remember to slow down and appreciate the moments. There is no use in running against time. Spiritual fitness is about being empowered by the moments even if the moments are challenging. You will need to practice balance, flexibility and strength every day. Then use your physical and mental balance, flexibility and strength to make the world a better place and you will discover spiritual fitness.

Doctor Lynn

http://www.facebook.com/DrLynnAnderson

RejuYOUvenation Yoga™ – Your Aura

 

 

 

Everything in the universe exists because of polarity or the interaction of opposites. The bonding and balancing force between and within all forms of energy and matter is the polarity of positive and negative energy. This is true for atoms, the earth, the stars and all of creation. This is what holds the gross physical body and the aura together. As the aura is affected by life so does the energy of the aura affect the body?

Humans are capable of perceiving the movement of energy around them and through their body which can actually be measured. Examples would be body temperature and brain waves. But most humans don’t realize that they are comprised of two basic bodies, the gross physical body and the aura. The aura is like a high energy blue print that surrounds physical matter. We can best understand this by observing other people. We call this getting a “vibe” when in fact it is the energy of the aura.

An example would be stress. Even if a person is smiling we can usually pick up on something about their energy that is out of sorts.  The basic difference between the west and yoga is that in the west we are addicted to experiences. Yoga doesn’t give value to experiences it simply seeks to transcend them. Yoga works much like naturopathy in that it believes that we must address energy on all levels body, mind and soul.

 A good analogy for how emotions affect the aura and then the health of the body would be to look at the ocean. The best place to view the ocean is from a mountain or an airplane and not from the water itself. To look at the psychological aspect of t the mind from within the mind is like looking at the ocean from under the water. The view is limited and if we open our mouths to speak water will enter and we will choke and drown.

Yoga does not deny psychological problems, but rather emphasizes transcending rather than analyzing.

The health of your body is affected by the energy of your aura. The aura is affected by your thoughts and the emotions you place onto them. Think of the aura as an energy field of protection. Become aware of how your emotions affect your energy fields. Learn to observe, let go and find peace and serenity. The best advice I can give when it comes to your health, body, mind  and soul is to be aware of the dynamic forces of energy, observe yourself without judgment, recognize your own shortcomings and begin to make the appropriate corrections that will bring balance to the energy of the body, the mind and the soul.

Namaste

Doctor Lynn

http://www.facebook.com/DrLynnAnderson

Yoga Today- Challenges

 

 

Yoga basically means to yoke or to bring together the energy of the body the mind and the soul. But it is really about bringing desired changes into our lives. Change is something we all struggle with and yet change is the only constant in life. Everything and everyone changes every moment and you can never predict with accuracy the outcome. So the basis of yoga is to practice balance, flexibility and strength so that we can have the fortitude to meet the challenges of change.

We use the poses as a means of discovery. It is much easier to get the body to be flexible, balanced and strong than to tame the mind. So we start with the body and then move onto the mind.  In class today pay attention to the movement of your body and the movement of your mind.

Life is full of challenges. You will be faced with them every day. Some will be easy and some will seem over whelming. But with balance, flexibility and strength you will discover the secret to overcoming all obstacles and learn to flow with the inevitable; the constant change of life.

Doctor Lynn

http://www.facebook.com/DrLynnAnderson

Pleasure and Pain

An important part of yoga is to understand the nature of pleasure and pain. We receive pleasure from the good things that come into our life and pain from the things that either are not in our life or leave our life. It is called cravings. Cravings are distraction and distractions disturb our sense of peace and create fear. As soon as we possess something we fear losing it.

This doesn’t mean we should not enjoy things. It means enjoy what comes into your life and be willing to let it go because what might be pleasurable in one moment might be painful in the next.

One day you enjoy playing with your children and the next day you are tired and want them to be quiet and leave you alone. It is not that you don’t love your children; it’s that life changes. Our moods, perceptions and desires are constantly changing.

One day you are in love and the next you are getting a divorce. Enjoy the fact that love came into your life and be willing to let it go when it no longer serves its purpose. Everything has a purpose and a reason.

The world is a training place where we learn to use the world without getting attached. At some point we will all leave this world.  Don’t get attached. Pleasure and pain are all a result of your approach to life. So let’s begin our class with a moment of detachment. Sit quietly and let’s take a few deep breathes. The breath reminds us of the nature of life; everything rise and everything falls away.

 

Become the observer of life. See the world as an opportunity to learn and grow. Before you learned to swim the water seemed a dreadful scary place, But once you learned to swim you began to love the water. The world is like that. You have to learn to swim in the ocean of constant change to find happiness. 

Doctor Lynn

 

 

 

http://www.facebook.com/DrLynnAnderson

 

 

 

 

Yoga Today – Karma- Be Your own Best Friend

 

Sometimes it is belter to explain something by what it is not. Karma is not about good or bad. Both good and bad signify judgement. Judgement is subjective. Karma is not. Good and bad signify punishment or reward. Karma is not about punishment or rewards, but it is about merits and merits are the deeds or actions we perform. Karma is simply about energy or better put cause and effect.( Karma by Doctor Lynn)

If you do things that are meritorious you will experience happiness and if you do things that cause pain you will suffer. A happy or unhappy life is your own creation. Nobody else is responsible for the nature of your life. If you remember this you will never blame anyone or anything for what happens in your life. You are your own best friend, as well as your worst enemy.

Our goal here on earth is to burn the seeds of karma or to learn our lessons so that we might reach a state of nirvana. But this is not easy nor should it be. Karma is about work. It is about awareness. If the same things keeps popping up in your life – for example angry people, than you need to look at your own energy, decisions and way of life. We draw to our lives exactly what we need to grow and evolve.

Today we are going to focus on the breath and awareness of the movement of our body. If you feel struggle be aware. If you feel relaxation also be aware of the feeling.   

 

 

Practice karma – be aware of all the things that happen to you this week. When something arises try to step back and observe and ask yourself what lesson is there here for me to learn? Remember nobody is responsible for your happiness. Become your own best friend and let go of your worst enemy and you will find a state of happiness, peace and serenity.

Doctor Lynn
http://www.doctorlynn.com

Yoga Today Karma Yoga

 

 

 

Karma means work. The doctrine of karma states that nothing in life comes instantaneously. Everything is a long learning process. It also states that there is such a thing as universal justice. Simply put; every thought, word or action you produce will manifest somehow somewhere in your present life or in your next life.

In your life you carry three forms of karma. The karma from your past life, your present life and the karma you are creating for your future life. According to karma we all choose the life we need to live out in order to live out our karma.

The theory of karma is simple. Life is teaching us the lessons that we have chosen to learn, in a way that is the fastest and easiest, so that we sustain the least amount of injury.

The purpose of life is to grow to an understanding that there is nothing more you need to experience except the experience of the true self which is called balanced self-awareness.

It’s about stepping back, observing without judgment and then letting go. We all know what it is like to act unethically or immorally. Sometimes it is difficult to see others who are being unethical getting ahead in world while others suffer. But are they really getting ahead? Perhaps in the material world, but the material world is transient. It is not real and never last. The real value is in the punja or the merits you bring to your soul.  It’s called good deeds. Remember all action creates a reaction. So bring to your life that which will allow you to developed balanced self-awareness.

Punja or merits are accumulated through good deeds and not fat bank accounts. Every soul must pay the price for its deeds. The universe has a perfect accounting system always striving towards balance. Therefore seek balance in all things and in all things find balance.

Doctor Lynn

 

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http://www.facebook.com/DrLynnAnderson

 

 

 

A Recipe for Sex – It’s Set in Stone

When is a fruit a drupe and what does a drupe have to do with a stone? A drupe is a fruit in which the outer fleshy part surrounds a hard seed or stone. The definitive characteristic of a drupe is that the stone is derived from the ovary wall of the flower. The apricot, peach, plum and nectarine are examples of stone fruit that are drupes.

Stone fruits are rich in antioxidants and nutrients that support sexual health. The rich color of these fruits reflects succulent nutrition at its best. Spanish researchers discovered that peaches and nectarines contain 5 times more antioxidants than previously thought. One medium nectarine provides 40 percent of your daily vitamin C and 14 percent of niacin. Important nutrients for sexual health

Like nectarines, peaches are packed with fiber, vitamin, minerals and carotenoids. These phytonutrients have been shown to help fight against cancer. A rich source of antioxidants, peaches supports a strong immune system; needed for sexual performance.

Apricot, another stone fruit, like peaches and nectarines, is rich in both iron and copper. The copper makes the iron available for consumption. Iron helps to build strong rich blood and provide strength and energy; needed for sexual strength.

Now all stone fruit are stone fruit because they have a large center seed that resembles a stone. The stone in many of these fruits has been used to symbolize the female genitaia, making these stone fruits a sexy food. Further stone fruits are a good source of niacin.

Niacin or Vitamin B-3 is responsible for the flush we feel when we get sexually aroused. Niacin helps the skin to stay healthy and improves circulation. Combine niacin with a good source of iron and a visual sexual symbol and it’s easy to see why stone fruit supports sexual health.

Can you think of anything sexier than a peachy complexion and a slight flush of sexual arousal? So if you want to make sure your sex life doesn’t take a droop, it’s written in stone, serve up a fresh sweet drupe and let the fun begin!

Doctor Lynn

New year…Karma Yoga – your actions.

 

 

 

 

Karma is not about good or bad. It is not about judgement. It is about action. The thing to remember about karma is that karma is like impressions that are a part of your being. Those impressions have been created in the past lives, the present life and the future life. In fact you are already creating things that will surface in your next life.

Even though we are all a part of the vast universe and completely interconnected we are also all on our own journey with our own individual karma.  According to karma we each choose this body, this mind and life to live out our karma. The idea with karma is to burn the seeds of karma away so that we created purity. This can only be done with awareness.

We cannot change the origin of our karma. That is why we are here. But we can change the direction we take. For example you may have been born with a stubborn temper. Karma would call this pride. Awareness of your actions and then attempting to change your temper begins to burn the seed of karma. The problem is most of us are walking through life without awareness of the power we have to change.

Think of someone who is very angry; their whole persona and physical presence changes. Awareness of this emotion causes them to seek help and to work hard to change their temperament. They stop a piece of karma and their life changes.

Let’s work on balance, flexibility, strength and peace.

Karma is your actions and all of those actions create reactions. So act with compassion and understanding and you will begin to burn the seeds of karma. Remember you take with you, when you leave this world, the karma you have created in this life time. So seek to create what you hope to bring with you into the next life. It’s your choice. It’s called free will.

Doctor Lynn

ReYOUvenation Yoga

 

Rejyouvenation yoga

Reawaken your Pure Vibrant Energy with Doctor Lynn

This proactive anti-aging yoga class will recharge, restore and improve natural movement of the body while reducing stress and reawakening the soul.  Yoga has been scientifically proven to slow the aging process by reducing stress, managing arthritic aches and pains, improving range of motion, bone strength and balance, as well as manage weight and enhance sleep. 

Rejyouvenationyoga is for anyone at any level who wants to recharge, renew and reawaken the power of pure vibrant energy.  You will learn poses that will improve your overall general health and mobility as well as tips and techniques for reducing stress and soulful awakening.

Rejyouvenation yoga is a six week program beginning Sunday January 3 @11AM and then every Wednesday January 6-February 3 @ 6PM

This is a one time class limited to ten.   So grab your space.  Email Doctor Lynn @ info@doctorlynn.com for more information and to sign up.

Location:  Yoga Court 10956 Weyburn Westwood Village – free convenient parking before 6PM in parking garage across the street from the studio.

Cost:  $15 per class.   Since space is limited your spot must be reserved.

email – info@doctorlynn.com

Fruit compote is a 17^th century French desert made up of fresh slightly cooked fruits. It is seasoned with orange, lemon, vanilla, cinnamon and cloves. Many Jewish people associate it with holidays. The fruit compote served on holidays is supposed to indicate sweet wishes and good luck in the coming year.

For dessert its fresh homemade fruit compote. Your choice of fruit, but I chose:

1 pear ripened

2 peaches ripened

3 black apricots soft and ripened

1-      ½ cup unsweetened apple sauce

¼ cup of brown sugar

¼ cup of uncooked oatmeal or any other dry cereal

A few dabs of butter

In a bowl combine the first four ingredients. Mix well and turn into a square baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle sugar, oatmeal on top and dab small amount of butter randomly on top. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Serve warm.

 

Happy New Year- sweet wishes for good luck and good health

Doctor Lynn

 

 

A Recipe for Health- A Melodic Composition

 

 

Fruit compote is a 17^th century French desert made up of fresh slightly cooked fruits. It is seasoned with orange, lemon, vanilla, cinnamon and cloves. Many Jewish people associate it with holidays. The fruit compote served on holidays is supposed to indicate sweet wishes and good luck in the coming year.

The base of fruit compote is, of course, the fruit. Some variants use dried fruit while others may make berry compote. Some fruit compotes follow a theme, such as tropical compote, while others use preserved fruits in syrup from the summer, or an assortment of whatever looks good. Depending on the type of fruit used, the spicing and level of sweetness is usually adjusted to make the fruit compote's flavor optimal.

Whatever the fruit this is a healthy dessert that packs a punch when it comes to antioxidants. That’s because fruit is a great source of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Some of the fruits used are pineapple, peaches, pears, apples, apricots, cherries and berries.

When I was young we lived on an Island off the coast of Maine. It was difficult to get fresh fruit and vegetables in the long winter months. So in the summer my Mother would can fresh fruits so she could make fruit desserts in the winter. Traditionally canned or preserved fruits were used to make compote.

Fruits were first discovered wild. Humans no doubt liked the look, then the smell and finally the taste. Eventually humans began to cultivate fruits and thus began early farming. Today we enjoy a vast variety of fruits from around the world; however, there is nothing better than tree or vine ripened, in season, locally grown fruit. It has a sweetness and texture that just doesn’t exist with half ripened, imported, out of season fruit.

Fruits contain essential vitamins and minerals needed for good health. It’s important to get fresh whole fruits because the vitamins and minerals in fruits have a synergistic effect meaning that they work together to produce the greatest amount of health benefits. For example; oranges are rich in vitamin C, but to get the vitamin C you need a bit of the fleshy white stuff(bioflavonoid) which synergizes with the Vitamin C, delivering the maximum amount of nutrients.

When you mix a variety of fruits together in a fruit salad or compote you get both a wonderful collage of flavors and a healthy portion of nutrients. We need to get three to four servings of fruits a day and sadly most Americans get little to none. The fiber, the skin, the seeds and the pulp of fresh fruits are a far better choice than fruit strips or fruit juice which is often times missing essential nutrients and loaded up with sugar.

There’s nothing like compote of fruits to make for a healthy melodic composition.

 

For dessert its fresh homemade fruit compote. Your choice of fruit, but I chose:

1 pear ripened

2 peaches ripened

3 black apricots soft and ripened

1-      ½ cup unsweetened apple sauce

¼ cup of brown sugar

¼ cup of uncooked oatmeal or any other dry cereal

A few dabs of butter

In a bowl combine the first four ingredients. Mix well and turn into a square baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle sugar, oatmeal on top and dab small amount of butter randomly on top. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Serve warm.

Happy New year - sweet wishes for good luck and good health

Doctor Lynn

 

A Recipe for Health- A Melodic Composition

 

 

 

 

Fruit compote is a 17^th century French desert made up of fresh slightly cooked fruits. It is seasoned with orange, lemon, vanilla, cinnamon and cloves. Many Jewish people associate it with holidays. The fruit compote served on holidays is supposed to indicate sweet wishes and good luck in the coming year.

The base of fruit compote is, of course, the fruit. Some variants use dried fruit while others may make berry compote. Some fruit compotes follow a theme, such as tropical compote, while others use preserved fruits in syrup from the summer, or an assortment of whatever looks good. Depending on the type of fruit used, the spicing and level of sweetness is usually adjusted to make the fruit compote's flavor optimal.

Whatever the fruit this is a healthy dessert that packs a punch when it comes to antioxidants. That’s because fruit is a great source of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Some of the fruits used are pineapple, peaches, pears, apples, apricots, cherries and berries.

When I was young we lived on an Island off the coast of Maine. It was difficult to get fresh fruit and vegetables in the long winter months. So in the summer my Mother would can fresh fruits so she could make fruit desserts in the winter. Traditionally canned or preserved fruits were used to make compote.

Fruits were first discovered wild. Humans no doubt liked the look, then the smell and finally the taste. Eventually humans began to cultivate fruits and thus began early farming. Today we enjoy a vast variety of fruits from around the world; however, there is nothing better than tree or vine ripened, in season, locally grown fruit. It has a sweetness and texture that just doesn’t exist with half ripened, imported, out of season fruit.

Fruits contain essential vitamins and minerals needed for good health. It’s important to get fresh whole fruits because the vitamins and minerals in fruits have a synergistic effect meaning that they work together to produce the greatest amount of health benefits. For example; oranges are rich in vitamin C, but to get the vitamin C you need a bit of the fleshy white stuff(bioflavonoid) which synergizes with the Vitamin C, delivering the maximum amount of nutrients.

When you mix a variety of fruits together in a fruit salad or compote you get both a wonderful collage of flavors and a healthy portion of nutrients. We need to get three to four servings of fruits a day and sadly most Americans get little to none. The fiber, the skin, the seeds and the pulp of fresh fruits are a far better choice than fruit strips or fruit juice which is often times missing essential nutrients and loaded up with sugar.

There’s nothing like compote of fruits to make for a healthy melodic composition.

 

 

 

 

For dessert its fresh homemade fruit compote. Your choice of fruit, but I chose:

1 pear ripened

2 peaches ripened

3 black apricots soft and ripened

1-      ½ cup unsweetened apple sauce

¼ cup of brown sugar

¼ cup of uncooked oatmeal or any other dry cereal

A few dabs of butter

In a bowl combine the first four ingredients. Mix well and turn into a square baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle sugar, oatmeal on top and dab small amount of butter randomly on top. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Serve warm.

Happy New Year-sweet wishes for good luck and good health.

Doctor Lynn

 

I made them, but now how can I keep my New Year’s resolutions?

 

 

 

 

 

We all resolve to give something up, to eat better, live better, exercise more and make more money. 95% of resolutions fail because we lack the motivation to stay focused and succeed. A resolution should be something you can successfully achieve. It should be something you truly want and are willing to make the sacrifices necessary to make it happen. It also needs to be fun so you retain the enthusiasm to reach your goal. New research (USC Journal of Personality and Psychology) suggest that to change, it might work better to focus on habits as opposed to willpower. It seems that when we strive to change our behavior we need to apply motivation and self-control.  This is where we often get defeated. Instead we should be thinking about changing our habits. Habits persist even when we don’t have the energy to exercise motivation and self-control.    All experiences are stored in our memory. When the proper atmosphere is created they come to the surface. When we do something several times it becomes a habit. Continue the habit for a long time and it becomes our character.

Nothing is achieved without practice so let’s build character.

Research shows that people tend to default to a habit when stressed. So to keep your resolutions focus on creating healthy habits. This year default to eating healthy, exercising 30 minutes a day and finding peace within. It’s good for your body, your mind and your soul!  Defaulting to healthy habits builds good character!

Happy New Year!

 

Make it a habit to have a cup of fruit everyday instead of something sweet.

Make it a habit to do something nice every day.

Make it a habit to exercise for at least 30 minutes every day.

Make it a habit to smile.

Doctor Lynn
Happy New Year!