Life (and Nutrition)

Another thought provoking video (Below) regarding the frailty of life. You might be wondering why I am discussing the matter of nutrition on this blog. Well. it is simply that in my own way I try to view life holistically and find that anything that affects the power of thought is not only of interest but is potentially critical (if ignored).

The outstanding comment from the talk that stuck in my mind was that the type of nutrition regarded as appropriate for a balanced healthy lifestyle is what your grandmother would have recommended, 

i.e. one with a minimal amount of processed food (containing additives). 

Little wonder that obesity rates are so high when 'junk food' is so readily available and cheap.

My dear wife, a superb cook herself, has long since bemoaned the demise of cooking in schools and that children are not having any experience of how to provide for themselves given basic ingredients. At the age of 70 I am convinced that her cooking has played a major role in my personal health/fitness/condition. Every day I walk anything from a minimum of two to eight miles. I cycle 2/3 times per week and I still enjoy a pint or two with my friends. 

However, enough about me, the main message from this talk is that it is the damage to the cerebral function which is the most 'depressing' outcome of poor nutrition. On the plus side, the economic savings achieved by providing nutritional 'boosters' are very persuasive in comparison to more conventional expensive psychological therapies. Thus there are strong arguments for the adoption of policies which promote the importance of nutrition earlier in the 'cycle of life' so that young children grow into adults who are more self sufficient in terms of providing for themselves.

The link to online marketing (which I took up as an antidote to boredom) is largely down to my examination of aspects of lifestyles which encourage making decisions to extend the human potential. I find the subject fascinating and eye-opening as I research various elements of human activity which are fundamental to well-being, both physical and mental. The process of growing old is inexorable but it can be affected positively if the issues which have a detrimental effect on 'survival' (without being too dramatic) are firstly identified and secondly acted upon. 

I hope to develop this argument over the coming few weeks/months/years and I would welcome any thoughts/experiences that you might have and wish to share.

To your health and prosperity

regards

Ray

10 mile walk

10.00am Off along the banks of the Wansbeck, to the coast and up to Newbiggin thence through the Queen Elizabeth Country Park and back home. 10 miles, 2 1/2 hrs good stretch, beautiful country/seaside, minus calories, plus diminishing size 😇

Its not about you!

There's nothing more irritating than to be lectured by a zealot who thinks his/her way of doing things is the only way. I can assure you that that is not the main premise of this blog. I am doing this for my own purposes and the exercise of putting my experience in the form of a newsletter is a challenge, something different to occupy my mind. Should it be of any assistance to anyone else then that pleases me but I do not propose myself as campaigner or a 'disciple' of any kind, the very thought bugs me. I am embarking on a new venture simply because I needed something to stretch me. Following a relatively successful career in education and a short period of time playing golf (badly) I realised I was vegetating and needed something to stimulate the grey matter. Thus I did some research and found something I thought had the potential to do what I was looking for. The ability to work from home was a big attraction, indeed, as I began to discover, the 'business' can be done from anywhere (e.g. you often see marketing material showing bronzed young men/women with their laptops on their beach towel.) Though possible, I am content to be writing this whilst on a short break 'house minding' for my in-laws, anywhere, as it happens, there is an internet connection is a workable environment. That appeals to me. The subject of the 'business' is 'Social Media', something I confess I knew little about (I should explain that although my main criteria in terms of involvement in a new venture was cerebral there is a good opportunity of making some money as well). Indeed I suspect, like most people of my generation, I was of the opinion that elements such as Twitter and Facebook were simple teenage fads. winging trivia across the atmosphere without much substance. How wrong I was, using either/both of them for business purposes is a totally different proposition and I am learning to do so in the belief that I will soon be able to generate a reasonable level of income from a home based business which is giving me plenty of food for thought. It is not easy. There is much to learn and key to it all is persistence. There have been times when I questioned my involvement but I am encouraged by the level of support I receive and my confidence and level of expertise is growing exponentially. The Internet is a vast arena of opportunity and there are a myriad of ways one can benefit from participating. It can be a frightening thing and the consequences of making a mistake can be daunting, however it is like most things in life, how did you learn to drive a car? by going to someone who has done it before; listening to their advice; accepting their support/encouragement; practising their proposals; passing the test of your capability and then continuing to learn as different situations present themselves. I am following a similar path in terms of the business of Social Media Marketing. It is fascinating, challenging and potentially lucrative. All it needs is positivity and the desire to make the most of your capabilities. I now have a blog of my own, I am regularly posting on  Facebook and Twitter with a long list of 'followers' and just three months ago I didn't have a clue. I have targets and I am attempting to shake off 50 years of bad habits which affect the way I look at the 'new order' of things. I want my independence back! 

It is possible. Let me know what you think, always interested.

You are never too old!! 

for your first 'driving lesson' try

http://tiny.cc/2y17ky

Ashington, Northumberland

Its funny how, even after 50 years of displacement, a visit to the 'homeland' twangs the heart strings. Here for a number of reasons, my wife to see old friends and me to catch up on work in a peaceful and tranquil setting, we are currently house sitting for our brother and sister in law who have beautiful riverside walks just minutes from their door. 

I have taken advantage of this, early morning, to burn off some calories before breakfast, all part of the 'new me' routine aimed at losing a few pounds (three pairs of trousers hanging redundantly in the wardrobe). Fast walking, I hasten to add, before anyone gets a mistaken image of me jogging or some other extreme activity. 2.4 miles were completed in 38 mins. avg. pace (15.49 mins/mile) with 314 calories burned off. Add in a low calorie diet, (mainly fruit and veg.) and things are looking good. 

Feeling great, fit and healthy with 5 more days up here to complete the job. Looking to get under 13 stones in weight for the first time for 12 months (13.8 at the start of the journey) Watch this space.    

PM - Cragside, Rothbury, Northumberland - The Worlds first electrically powered house. (hydro electricity)


This is the most amazing place, my favourite National Trust property with astounding interiors which contain a vast variety of artefacts from all over the world. A particularly impressive feature is the magnificent marble fireplace . (shown right)


Unfortunately we missed the magnificent display of Rhododendrons which had reached full bloom some two weeks earlier and cover the extensive beautiful gardens with a rich variety of colours and textures. I would strongly recommend a visit not just to anyone interested in engineering technology (Lord Armstrong built an extensive business based around his work in shipbuilding and armaments) but also to those who enjoy horticulture. In typical National Trust style the history and beauty of the items on display within augment the extravagant interiors. Best allow a whole day to witness the full extent of this property, you won't be disappointed.