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Is any other food or drink reported to have as many health benefits as green tea? The Chinese have known about the medicinal benefits of green tea since ancient times, using it to treat everything from headaches to depression. In her book, Green Tea: The Natural Secret for a Healthier Life, Nadine Taylor states that green tea has been used as a medicine in China for at least 4,000 years.

Today, scientific research in both Asia and the west is providing hard evidence for the health benefits long associated with drinking green tea. For example, in 1994 the Journal of the National Cancer Institute published the results of an epidemiological study indicating that drinking green tea reduced the risk of esophageal cancer in Chinese men and women by nearly sixty percent. University of Purdue researchers recently concluded that a compound in green tea inhibits the growth of cancer cells. There is also research indicating that drinking green tea lowers total cholesterol levels, as well as improving the ratio of good (HDL) cholesterol to bad (LDL) cholesterol.

To sum up, here are just a few medical conditions in which drinking green tea is reputed to be helpful:

1) cancer

2) rheumatoid arthritis

3) high cholesterol levels

4) cardiovascular disease

5) infection

6) impaired immune function

What makes green tea so special?

The secret of green tea lies in the fact it is rich in catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG is a powerful anti-oxidant: besides inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, it kills cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. It has also been effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels, and inhibiting the abnormal formation of blood clots. The latter takes on added importance when you consider that thrombosis (the formation of abnormal blood clots) is the leading cause of heart attacks and stroke.

Links are being made between the effects of drinking green tea and the “French Paradox.” For years, researchers were puzzled by the fact that, despite consuming a diet rich in fat, the French have a lower incidence of heart disease than Americans. The answer was found to lie in red wine, which contains resveratrol, a polyphenol that limits the negative effects of smoking and a fatty diet. In a 1997 study, researchers from the University of Kansas determined that EGCG is twice as powerful as resveratrol, which may explain why the rate of heart disease among Japanese men is quite low, even though approximately seventy-five percent are smokers.

Why don’t other Chinese teas have similar health-giving properties? Green, oolong, and black teas all come from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. What sets green tea apart is the way it is processed. Green tea leaves are steamed, which prevents the EGCG compound from being oxidized. By contrast, black and oolong tea leaves are made from fermented leaves, which results in the EGCG being converted into other compounds that are not nearly as effective in preventing and fighting various diseases.

Other Benefits

New evidence is emerging that green tea can even help dieters. In November, 1999, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published the results of a study at the University of Geneva in Switzerland. Researchers found that men who were given a combination of caffeine and green tea extract burned more calories than those given only caffeine or a placebo.

Green tea can even help prevent tooth decay! Just as its bacteria-destroying abilities can help prevent food poisoning, it can also kill the bacteria that causes dental plaque. Meanwhile, skin preparations containing green tea - from deodorants to creams - are starting to appear on the market.

You’re always hungry right? The last thing you have time for is to plan meals ahead. Don’t despair, you body was designed to be refueled continually. We are not camels and we are unable to work in tip top condition without the essential nutrients our body requires. Your body was designed for a regular supply fo good quality food throughout the day.

If you are a woman who eats less frequently than three ’square’ meals and an afternoon snack or a man who eats less than the three meals and a mid morning and afternoon snack… you *should* feel hungry! Probably your body is crying out for nutritious food and one of the first signs is lethary, tiredness and dimished concentration.

Exectutives rushing through the day not stopping for lunch? Moms running after small children and surviving on toddler left overs? Women skipping breakfast and then eating a salad or cup of soup for lunch? Any of these situations fit you? If so, then it is likely you can dramatically change your energy levels and sense of vitality through learning a few simple keys about food! It amazing that so few people realise the importance of eating what your body requires.

If you recognise yourself above, it may also be true that you are overweight. Despite the lack of food, you continue to find those unwanted pounds are impossible to budge! Those who have adequate amounts of protein in their diet, however, may find they’ve escaped being part of this alarming trend. That’s because the latest nutritional research indicates that protein has numerous dietary benefits that give a boost to weight loss and weight management efforts. Let/s look at some of the ways you can benefit from a healthy daily protein intake.

One of the principle advantages of protein is that it creates a feeling of fullness and satisfaction in the body that makes overeating much less likely. Besides being filling, protein is a smart addition to any weight loss or weight management programme because of the effect it has on carbohydrate cravings.

As nutritional research has documented, carbohydrates trigger the brain to crave more carbohydrates, leading to a cycle of carbohydrate eating that becomes hard to control. Protein can block that triggering effect in the brain. If you eat protein with a carbohydrate it will reduce the cravings caused by eating the carbohydrate.

So where do you find sources of protein? Protein is found in dairy and meat products. For example, milk, cream, cheese, turkey, chicken, fish, beef, pork and lamb. You will quickly see these may be high in saturated fats so it is best to ensure you choose predominantly white meats such as fish, and the white flesh of turkey and chicken.

Vegetable products are not normally high in complete proteins except for soya beans. If you have never tried soy products or you don’t particularly enjoy tofu or soy milk, don’t despair. There are may exciting and delicious products which can be eaten in a variety of ways. They are often low in cholesterol and low in calories and can make an excellent choice to control your hunger and provide energy that sustains which is particularl useful when trying to lose weight.

Kim Beardsmore is a weight loss consultant whose business operates across 60 countries. This world renowned, medically approved program will give you results you’ll love and all the support you need! Estimate your healthy body weight, tons of recipes, articles, ezine and more at http://weight-loss-health.com.au

When you think about weight loss, what do you think of first? Which aspects of weight loss are important, which are essential, and which ones can you take or leave? You be the judge.

Once you begin to move beyond basic background information, you begin to realize that there’s more to weight loss than you may have first thought.

It probably comes to you as naturally as breathingthe art of eating. However, you might never have been taught to eat well. This is critically important because, unless you learn to eat well, you may never master the art of dieting. In our society, certain inappropriate eating habits have become routine. By attacking these habits, you can increase the likelihood that you will actually lose weight.

To begin with, it is important that you learn to eat slowly. At first, this might be quite a challenge. We have been conditioned to live in a fast food world. We rush meals in order to have time to run to soccer practice, to a piano recital, or to school and work. We think that rushing saves us timebut such a routine can easily backfire, leaving us with unwanted pounds. Studies have shown that at least 10 minutes is required before the brain receives the message that the stomach is full. This means that you could be eating long after you are actually satiated. Your mealwhether it’s in the morning, afternoon, or eveningshould last at least ten minutes. Train yourself to lengthen your meal by engaging in conversation, resting your fork between courses, chewing slowly, and drinking plenty of water between courses. You should also wait at least ten minutes after your main meal before deciding if you need dessert. Within that period of time, you may discover that you weren’t really hungry after all.

Another trick is to place serving dishes on the counter and leave them there. As a result, you’ll actually have to get up out of your seat in order to get more food. You may decide that it’s not worth the bother. Or you may find that you discover that you need no more food between courses. Also, do not eat directly from an ice cream carton, tortilla chip bag, or cracker box. Otherwise, you could find yourself easily overeating.

You should always eat at the table. This prevents you from trying to engage in multi-tasking, such as surfing the ‘Net, watching television, or flipping through magazines while you eat. At the table, you’ll be forced to concentrate on how much food you are putting into your mouth. If you eat anywhere else, you may lose track of how much food you’re consuming.

Abandon the idea that you must clean your plate. It is simply not true. Research has shown that more than half of adults insist on cleaning their plates, even when they are already full. This means that you are overeating simply out of politeness. Such a habit only serves to add unwanted pounds. Instead of cleaning your plate, try eating only that portion of food that makes you feel full. You’ll be healthier and happier that way.

Do not keep food in plain view during the day. If the cookie jar is open or the pretzel bag is out on the table, you’ll have a tremendous urge to eat, even if you are not hungry. After a meal, put your food away in the refrigerator, inside your cupboard, or in the Lazy Susan. This way, you’ll actually have to do some work to get at food before you consume it.

If you happen to overeat, don’t spend a great deal of time sulking. Accept your mistake and move on. If you’ve veered off course, take corrective action and forget about it. Otherwise, you could find yourself eating out of frustration, or going off your diet entirely. It’s better to sabotage a single meal than a lifetime’s worth of meals.

You may be self-conscious at first as you attempt to change your eating habits. Realize that your bad habits did not start overnight, so it will take some time to correct them. While it may seem an arduous task initially, it is well worth the effort. You’ll quickly find that your new eating habits have helped you to lose unwanted weight. Granted, such techniques as hiding your food and eating more slowly will not in themselves cause you to lose weight, but they will help you to curb your overeating over the long run. And you’ll be a better person for it.

Take time to consider the points presented above. What you learn may help you overcome your hesitation to take action.

Author J. Brian Keith is a proud contributing author for
Weight Loss and Dieting and enjoys writing about
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Thinking about adding Omega 3 to your daily diet? There is no doubt about Omega 3 offering benefits to a lot of people, we will get into more about that later.

The essential fatty acids in Omega 3 have long been known for their many health benefits. Many clinical studies have proven that the biggest benefits come from DHA and EPA, these fatty acids are only found in fish oils, although you would still get some health benefits when taking Omega 3 from plant sources, it is recommended that you include Omega 3 from fish oils, either from eating fatty fish at least 3 times per week, or buying an Omega 3 supplement.

Of the two essential fatty acids mentioned above, DHA offer the most benefits, most supplements however, contain much more EPA than DHA, so when shopping for a supplement, be sure to choose one with as much DHA as possible.

Another thing you should be aware of when looking for an Omega 3 supplement is toxins (PCB’s), ask the manufacturer about the levels of PCB’s and heavy metals in their product, also ask if they can supply you with test data on the purity of their product.

Now, let’s take a look at the benefits of including Omega 3 in your daily diet, these have all been proven in clinical studies.

* Fish oils, rich in Omega 3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA) have been shown to significantly reduce deaths from heart disease.

* Clinical studies have shown improvement for people who suffer from depression.

* Lower aggression in teenagers.

* Improved memory.

* Lowered risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

* When taken by mothers during pregnancy, it may help protect babies from allergies.

* Improves the body’s immune system.

* If you have, or are in danger of developing type II diabetes, research has shown Omega 3 helps regulate blood sugar levels, and decrease insulin resistance.

* People suffering from skin disorders like psoriasis have shown improvements when taking fish oils.

As you can see, Omega 3 offers benefits both for those who just want to be proactive, as well as it can help those who already have developed some types if illnesses.

If you decide to eat more fatty fish, or take an Omega 3 supplement, remember to check the purity and levels of DHA in your chosen source.

Kirsten Hawkins is a weightlifting and fitness enthusiast from Nashville, TN. Visit www.weight-loss-diet-exercise.com/ for more great tips on how to lose weight, eat well, and be healthy.

It’s not what most non-Irish people think about when it comes to St. Patrick’s Day fare or even Irish foods in general. But when it comes to Fiberlady’s high fiber menu selection, the classic steaming bowl of oatmeal persists in the hearts and stomachs of those who understand the natural goodness of high fiber foods.

Your Irish ancestors knew the importance of whole grains for their high fiber diet. There are references for the use of oats for human consumption in Ireland as early as 438 A.D.

In August 1999, the FDA endorsed the claim that diets that are abundant in whole grains, like oats, potentially may reduce the risk of heart disease and certain cancers. The new food pyramid suggests that adults should eat 3 - 4 servings of whole grains a day. That applies to Leprechauns as well.

A study published in the American Journal of Public Health stated that by regularly eating oatmeal people can also help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. Blood glucose levels are more stablized after eating oats which is vital for diabetics.

Another study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition concluded that a daily dose of oatmeal can lower high blood pressure. It appears to be something about the soluble fiber in oatmeal. Another benefit of consuming oats is the lowered risk of heart disease since there is no cholesterol or saturated fats in oats.

Haven’t you felt that very satisfied feeling in your belly after eating a comforting bowl of oatmeal. That feeling lasts a while which naturally keeps you from heading back to the kitchen right away for more food. Fiberlady likes that common sense approach to weight loss.

There is no doubt that the dietary fiber in oats is highly significant to one’s health. They hold many nutrients no matter how they are cooked since they are not refined. Obviously, oats don’t have to be eaten just for breakfast, but go ahead and try the recipe below. There are many high fiber recipes that include oats as a main ingredient for any meal. Just the way Fiberlady intended.

Overnight Peach Oatmeal

6 servings

Ingredients:

1 cup steel-cut oats (or Irish oatmeal)
 4 cups water
 1 cup dried peaches, chopped
 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
 1 cup white grape juice
 1 (6-ounce) carton peach or vanilla flavored low-fat yogurt
 6 tablespoons English walnut pieces, toasted

Combine oats and 4 cups water in 31/2-to 4-quart slow cooker. Cover and cook on low setting 6 to 8 hours, or until oats are tender and cereal is thick.

Combine peaches, nutmeg and white grape juice in a small saucepan. Cover and heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer 8 minutes, or until peaches are tender. Uncover and cook 2 to 3 minutes, or until liquid is slightly reduced.

To serve, spoon cooked oats into individual serving bowls. Top each with 2 to 3 tablespoons warm peaches and syrup, then a dollop of yogurt. Sprinkle with walnuts.

Per serving: Calories: 214; Total Fat: 6 grams

Fiber: 4 grams

Stephanie Shank aka Fiberlady has studied nutrition for many healthy years which prompted her commitment to a high fiber lifestyle and the development of her informative website High Fiber Health

“Let food be thy medicine, and let thy medicine be food”, Hippocrates.

No phrase could be truer, as any honest doctor will tell you. Here we will examine glyconutrients, and how they can help supplement your diet program,improve health and prevent disease.

Glyconutrients are large sugar polymers containing “monosaccharides”

A monosaccharide is a carbohydrate consisting of one simple sugar. These monosaccharides are important elements used by the body to create glycoproteins.

What are they?

In turn, glycoproteins are the molecules that act as a cellular code for cell to cell communication. In fact, the majority of proteins in our bodies are glycoproteins.

Today there is an entire branch of medicine now called
Gycoscience, based on glyconutients, and more there is an associated new (re-discovered) discipline in medicine called Orthomoleculogy.

Orthomolecular medicine describes the practice of preventing and treating disease by providing the body with optimal amounts of substances which are natural to the body.

The principle idea here is that genetic factors affect not only to the physical characteristics of individuals, but also to their biochemical potentials.

It is believed that biochemical pathways of the body have significant genetic variability and diseases such as atherosclerosis, cancer, schizophrenia or depression are associated with specific biochemical abnormalities which are causal or contributing factors of the illness describes.

From the above, the whole industry and habit of taking food supplements have arisen, and now it is commonplace to find food supplements in almost every pharmacy and supermarket.
The supplements themselves are almost always glyconutrients, and usually glycoproteins.

How they work and what they can do for you

Let’s see how they work, and what they can do for you. Since the topic is much to large to cover in any single article we will use the B-vitamin supplements as an example.

The B-vitamins are working best when taken in a group, but even given singly have good and well documented results. B-6 taken alone helps all the symptoms of PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome), an essential (now widely accepted practice) addition to any woman taking oral contraceptives, as it is a possible stroke preventative (women taking oral contraceptives are 3 times as likely to suffer stroke than women who do not).

B-3 (Niacin) also has been used for a very long time by psychiatrists as it is an effective alternative treatment for severe depression, psychotic behavior, and schizophrenia.

Additionally Niacin has finally gained popularity as one of the cheapest ways to lower serum cholesterol.
It must be mentioned again, as above, that the B-vitamins work well when taken together, and somehow even better with other glyconutrients such as Vitamin C.

There is a very good effect on organs such as the liver, which means if you drink alcohol to any extent, you need to be taking these supplements.

Assuming Orthomolecular medicine will be gaining credence in the near future, we may discover how to treat and even prevent all our illnesses with diet and natural cures.

The problem is perhaps the huge pharmaceutical industry that makes hundreds of billions of dollars early by providing expensive drugs and may or may not work. Also a doctor would have a real problem with collecting high fees by prescribing eating an apple a day.

The key then will lay in the real education of the general public.

An article such as this should also contain a detailed explanation of how the glyconutrients work, and what they do.
In the future, we hope that all interested people will demand such an instruction and explanation. Today’s basic biology classes are going into more detail than ever before and this too is a good sign.

More FREE helth diet and nutrition advice

For more free information health and nutrition including articles features and downloads visit
http://www.net-planet.org

Multi vitamins and minerals may be vital for your health and well being. Several different research findings in recent years have continued to underscore the importance of some nutrients and the grave danger that people expose themselves to when they have a shortfall of multi vitamins or key minerals. It is worrying that many of these studies have clearly shown that many Americans are short of certain key minerals and vitamins.

It is a well-known fact that it is best to get all one’s vitamins, minerals and multi nutrients directly from a carefully planned healthy diet that contains everything that one’s body needs, however, due to various reasons this is not always possible.

For instance the process of aging weakens many things in the body including the ability to absorb and utilize certain nutrients. This is one of the reasons why taking health supplements and in particular multi vitamins and mineral pills, usually makes a huge difference to many people’s health and well being.

In fact some research has suggested that people who take the relevant health supplements dramatically lower their risks of getting deadly diseases like colon cancer and certain heart ailments and may generally end up developing better and stronger immune systems.

It is important to always remember that multi vitamin and mineral pills must be taken alongside a healthy balanced diet. Health supplements cannot replace a good balanced diet. Instead they are supposed to supplement it, just as their name suggests. Foods, especially fruits, vegetables and whole grains provide countless phytochemicals and fiber that can not be found in any health supplement pill.

The amazing thing is just how cheap a daily dose of multi vitamins and minerals can be. It will cost just a few pennies per day and yet the benefits can be colossal.

Multi vitamins and mineral supplements come highly recommended for most folks over 60 years of age. There is conclusive evidence that a vast majority do not get the nutrients that they require. Then there are women of childbearing age. Apart from the vital nutrients required by persons who fall into this group, research has conclusively proved that vitamin B helps prevent neural tube birth defects.

Vegetarians who don’t benefit from any of the vitamins usually found in animal products may lack adequate vitamin B12, zinc iron and calcium and is another group that can greatly benefit from multi vitamins and minerals. Heavy drinkers or smokers or persons on weight loss diets may lack enough of certain vitamins and minerals. And so would anybody not eating balanced diet which should include at least 5 fruits and vegetables a day amongst a host of other foods. Al these groups are ideal candidates for multi vitamins and mineral supplements.

Protein. It is the building block of our bodies. Although the human body is about two-thirds water the proteins form the structure and function of the system. Along with fats, proteins form the structure at our joints and along our skeletal system. Protein is also important in enzyme production, regulation of cells and hormones, and in immune function. Protein is the structural component of muscle in our bodies.

Protein is made up of amino acids in various configurations. When we eat proteins, and they are digested, they are broken down to their amino acids again. These amino acids are then sent to areas in the body where they will serve a function. Some amino acids can be produced in the body but others must be taken in through our food, or supplements. These are called essential amino acids. Proteins that contain all of the essential amino acids are complete proteins. Incomplete proteins, such as some vegetables and grains, are missing one or more of the essential amino acids.

Our muscles are designed to move use around and support our skeletal system. When they are worked within their normal range of motion and strength level they tear slightly and repair quickly. When we work our muscles beyond their normal capacity the fibers tear significantly and must recover and repair to reach full potential again. Since muscles are made up of proteins and water they must receive those amino acids that we digested to rebuild the proteins in the muscle. When we neglect these muscles and do not supply them with the proper proteins they take longer to recover and in severe cases rob other muscle proteins to repair themselves.

Protein ingested through a healthy diet is broken down and then stored for muscle repair as needed. It is also used for energy when other sources are depleted. Due to the inability of the body to produce nine of the amino acids the body cannot repair, or build new, muscle without protein taken in through ingestion. Fatigue, insulin resistance, loss of muscle mass, and hormonal irregularities are symptoms of protein deficiency. None of these is conducive to optimal performance or muscular gain. No other macronutrient can be converted to protein. Fats and carbohydrates can be used for energy but not for muscle repair or production.

Ensuring adequate protein intake is paramount in building muscle and ensuring quick recovery. Without proteins, and the amino acids from those proteins, the body will not be able to repair damages to the muscles and other structures of the body. If quality protein is not taken in through diet, or supplementation, the body will have to rob protein from the muscles to repair daily damage to cells and organs. This leads to muscle loss and decreased performance.

Protein intake needs to be a priority for anyone who is taxing their muscles through daily workouts or strenuous work. This protein is needed for most of the body’s functions and cannot be produced by the body itself. Complete proteins and supplementation are good ways to get the needed protein.

What are liquid colloidal minerals? Everywhere you turn (well, almost) there’s someone from a health company ‘wagging their tail’ and telling you that it will help just about every health challenge known to woman.

A colloid is simply a particle suspended in a liquid or a gas. A cup of coffee is an example of a colloid (coffee and milk suspended in water).

Most minerals occur in nature as ions, meaning they are negatively or positively charged particles. Liquid colloidal minerals are very small particles (usually extracted from plants) in a liquid solution. The minerals have a negative charge given to them by the plant and a small size - 7 to 10,000 times smaller than a red blood cell - allowing them to be very easily absorbed into the small intestine.

The colloidal mineral story started in Utah in 1920 when an ailing rancher named Thomas (T.J.) Clark was led to a spring by an Indian elder - and was given a drink of bitter tasting ‘medicine water’. Soon after drinking the water Clark made a remarkable recovery and became determined to unlock the secret of this mysterious healing spring.

He discovered the source of the spring ran through a prehistoric forest preserved as a shale deposit. This forest grew in an area with a high concentration of minerals in the soil When the water was analysed it was found to contain over 70 different minerals.

The name given to this ‘water’ was later termed ‘liquid colloidal minerals’, however better terminology is actually ‘plant derived minerals’ since the minerals are derived from plants.

Today, liquid colloidal minerals or plant derived minerals are manufactured by mining this prehistoric shale and combining it with filtered spring water. The minerals taken up by the plants are in an organic form making them completely safe to consume. The mixture is then filtered several times to remove any impurities and heavy metals and then bottled. The only significant source of this shale is in Utah in the U.S.A.

There are many arguments for and against the health benefits of plant derived minerals. Conventional medical doctors argue that you can get all the minerals you need from the main food groups - grains vegetables, fruits and nuts. Alternative health professionals argue that our soils and therefore our food crops are deficient in minerals and this deficiency and our fast food culture along with environmental pollution leads to disease and that many diseases we suffer are actually nutrient deficiency diseases.

In spite of all the arguments, there are many people who swear that liquid colloidal minerals are a significant factor in their recovery from a range of diseases- enough to sustain an entire industry that continues to grow. It would be a safe bet that the amount of minerals in our food chain are decreasing and some form of supplementation is necessary.

If you’re curious, they are relatively inexpensive and if you become one of those who experience a great health benefit then “congratulations” the experiment was worthwhile. And if they don’t work - I hear they are also great for preserving cut flowers.

Paul Newland is a health writer, sports training consultant and martial arts instructor and runs the Global-Longevity.com website.
He is the author of numerous health information books and guides, including the Wellness Report, The Ultimate Antioxidant Report, The Selenium Report, The Ultimate Nutrient Guide and The Ultimate Sports Nutrition Guide - available Free (for a limited time) through Global-Longevity.com.

Recently, when listening to a speaker on improving health habits, I heard a phrase that really rang true for me.

The nutrition expert offered the audience a simple guideline to use when making food choices: “Please don’t bring bad food into this body.”

The phrase struck me because it was such a simple, non-judgmental way to remind us all that we have choices. We can grab a bag of lunch at the nearest greasy fast-food joint or we can go to all the trouble of choosing something fresh. But the concept has use far beyond our diets.

Whether or not we choose to think about it, our day-to-day lives are full of choices. Fast food or fresh. Anger or forgiveness. Self pity or service to others.

Every thought or feeling, in every moment, can be something that we choose.

Heady? Mabybe. But think about the choices that you will have today. You’ve already chosen to get up. And to read the paper. There, that’s two. We can also make choices about the company we keep–are our friendships “give and take?” Are the people we invest our time with those on whom we can rely when we need something? Do they pick us up when we’re down? or just “pile on” with the rest of the world? We all have choices about the people with whom we spend our time.

What about families? Even if they’re far away, you can connect with kids and grandkids in lots of positive ways. For example, soon you’ll be hearing more about “ethical wills”–these are not documents about how we want to die, but instead, collections of thoughts and stories that will help those we leave behind know what mattered to us.

There are people who think that they have a choice about nothing … and those who think that they have a choice about everything. I think that the truth is somewhere in between. We may not always like the things that happen to or around us, but we can always choose not to waste the opportunities for learning that they provide.

Please don’t bring junk food thoughts like “I can’t, I’m too old” into this head.

Lawrence Bienemann is a program coordinator for RSVP in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. He also speaks and writes about issues related to aging well and can be reached by e-mail at lawrenceb@rcn.com.