Morning all. Everyone have safe travels for the holiday, don't spend too much shopping, make sure to stuff yourself, don't forget to watch football and if you are hosting, try not to go too crazy.
It is still a bit on the rainy side this morning. We have had a lot of rain, some of it really heavy. The creek is full and the river isn't too far behind. At least the temps are still mild. It is supposed to be nice tomorrow.
__________________
Stop trying to be what you see. Be what you ought to be.
It smells like skunk here in the shop. Must have had one close by last night where the stink filtered in and is now stuck inside.
We don't have big plans. My dad is going to his wife's daughter's house in Denver. We're just staying home and having our own mini feast. There will be food eaten and football watched.
My brother did invite us out to their house, but Mrs Web can't stand spending much close time with my brother's wife when the two of them are the only ladies. My sister-in-law is the queen of "you know what you should do . . . " and my wife doesn't take unrequested advice very well. She is really good at it. She'll start a conversation and just when you start to feel like she really does care, she sneaks up on ya. If it's a big enough event that my wife can avoid and evade alone time with her, they get along ok, but the extended one-on-one thing is not good for very long.
Ignore the diets and enjoy the food for a day. You deserve it.
Yeah, if the boss weren't being a thorn in my side today. He seriously wants me to changes for amended tax returns for 1 cent each. A lousy penny. Put it in one year, take it out of another, Seriously?!? First it is a bad that my billing group screws this stuff up. Second it is bad that I have to amend four consective returns because that is how NM issues refunds in local jurisdictions (I don't have any current revenue to offset these credits). Third I had to do these returns by hand. And now fourth, you want me to change a penny? Is it really going to matter? It affect the calculations in no way. Grrrrr. I was already grumpy so this does not help. Plus he is bothering me for information that one, I already gave him and two, that is right in front of him.
I'm done.
__________________
Stop trying to be what you see. Be what you ought to be.
Hey Mz - here is a little story for you. I stole it from AOL today.
From Writer's Relief staff:
We all know certain foods contribute positively to your physical health, and some foods contribute positively (in inches) to your waistline. But did you know that some foods can support brain functionand maybe even make you a better writer?
You might even see some of them on the table this Thanksgiving!
Antioxidants, like those found in fruits and vegetables, offer disease- and age-fighting power to keep your creative impulses firing at top speed. Blueberries are said to be especially powerful.
Omega-3 fatty acids (from fish oil and flax) are said to boost your brains gray matter. Thats like building muscle in your mind. Prepare to do some heavy mental lifting...or just impress people with your mental calisthenics.
Choline is a nutrient found in egg yolk or milk that can help ward off senility (which, to our mind, could also mean increases clarity of thinking). Choline also keeps your memory going strong, so you can actually remember whether your character was wearing a red shirt twenty pages ago or a blue one!
Folic acid: One study found that adults taking regular folic acid supplements demonstrated better cognitive function, especially in memory and critical thinking. So if youre really having trouble getting past a problematic plot point, it may be time to supplement!
Chocolate lovers rejoice! According to WebMD: A study by food scientists found that the antioxidant concentration in a cup of hot cocoa was higher than that found in either red wine or green tea. Of course, getting your antioxidants from veggies (sans whipped cream, fat and added sugar) may be a better bet. But next time your spouse gives you that look for drinking hot chocolate, you can say Im doing it for my brain!
Green tea is good for your brain. People who drink green tea regularly fare better mentally when it comes to aging. This is happy news for writersespecially if youre the type who stays up into the wee hours working on a manuscript; your green tea can multitask by keeping you both awake AND young! Plus, moderate amounts of caffeine are said to boost concentration as long as you dont overdo it.
Sugar. No, were not talking about the powdery white dusting on donuts, or the stuff that your grandpa dumps in his coffee until its thick as sludge. Nor are we talking about fake sugar substitutes. Your brain may not love what we call sugar, but it does love glucose. Glucose is what your body makes out of sugar and carbs. And a little lift in glucose can boost your concentration and alertness. Just be sure that when you reach for sweet, youre reaching for healthy sweet: blueberries, oranges, etc. Your brain will get its glucose fix and some antioxidants too!
Breakfast. We know you dont want to admit it, but your mom was right. Breakfast counts. Eat a moderate breakfast with protein and whole grains, and youlike countless human guinea pigsmay find that your concentration gets a boost. Just dont eat too much or youll get sluggish.
Supplements. Theres a lot of back and forth these days about supplements. But research suggests that vitamins B, C, E, magnesium and beta-carotene may be helpful.
The Disclaimer
Do we even need to say this? Were creative writers, not nutritionists. So you should hear yourself saying Whats up, Doc? before you alter your diet to power your brain.
Still, common sense doesnt require a medical degree. So eat right, sleep deeply and drink plenty of water. Also take steps to protect your eyes from strain!
And if you dont know what it means to eat right, consider Michael Pollan (author of In Defense of Food), who takes all the food advice out there and breaks it down into three simple rules:
1. Eat REAL food (as opposed to "food-like substances").
2. Not too much.
3. Mostly plants.
A healthy body usually brings about a healthy brain. And that makes for powerful writing!
__________________
Stop trying to be what you see. Be what you ought to be.
I'm done.
