Month: February 2024

Today’s Word: Criticism

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Criticism: there are three main types of criticism: destructive, constructive, and instructive.

NOTE: Criticism is important. Personally, I’m not a big fan of being criticized. I don’t mind dolling it out every now and then. LOL. When I was an enlisted man in the army, I had a couple of sergeants who criticized me – my buddies laughed and called it an ass chewing. It was all that and more. I didn’t like it. I didn’t make the same mistakes a second time. I needed it. When I entered higher education I went to a publishing workshop. The big take away was all about criticism. The speaker said, when you get a paper rejected, and you will, you’ll probably be angry. Enjoy your anger for 24 hours, then let it go and take their criticism seriously and strengthen your paper and resubmit it. The speaker was right. I didn’t like the criticism. I chose to learn from from and it made all the difference in my career. Embrace criticism, use it as a reference point for self-evaluation.

It’s Time to Exercise Your Brain – Take the Anagram Challenge  

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Today’s mind sharpening anagram is a two or three word phrase. Can you unscramble the anagram to discover the two or three word phrase? It’s time to exercise your brain! 

Today’s Anagram:  

QUIZ START

Today’s Inspiring Quote: How to Deal with Thoughts

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Leave your front door and your back door open.
Allow your thoughts to come and go.
Just don’t serve them tea.

Shunryu Suzuki

Sonnet VII: To Solitude: A Poem by John Keats

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Sonnet VII: To Solitude

John Keats

O Solitude! if I must with thee dwell,
Let it not be among the jumbled heap
Of murky buildings: climb with me the steep,—
Nature’s observatory—whence the dell,
In flowery slopes, its river’s crystal swell,
May seem a span; let me thy vigils keep
‘Mongst boughs pavilioned, where the deer’s swift leap
Startles the wild bee from the foxglove bell.
But though I’ll gladly trace these scenes with thee,
Yet the sweet converse of an innocent mind,
Whose words are images of thoughts refined,
Is my soul’s pleasure; and it sure must be
Almost the highest bliss of human-kind,
When to thy haunts two kindred spirits flee.

Source

Get Healthy: Are You Eating the Healthiest Type of Cinnamon?

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Cinnamon is a popular spice used around the world, known for its aromatic flavor and potential health benefits. There are mainly two types of cinnamon: Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum or “true” cinnamon) and Cassia cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia, among other species). Each type has its unique characteristics, but when it comes to nutrition and health benefits, Ceylon cinnamon is often considered the superior choice. Here’s why:

  1. Coumarin Content: The primary distinction between Ceylon and Cassia cinnamon in terms of health impact is their coumarin content. Cassia cinnamon contains higher levels of coumarin, a compound that can be harmful in large amounts, potentially causing liver damage and increasing the risk of cancer. Ceylon cinnamon, on the other hand, contains much lower amounts of coumarin, making it safer for regular consumption, especially in larger quantities.
  2. Anti-inflammatory Properties: Ceylon cinnamon is rich in antioxidants, which help reduce inflammation and have been linked to various health benefits, including a reduced risk of heart disease, improved brain function, and protection against diabetes. While Cassia also contains antioxidants, the lower coumarin content of Ceylon cinnamon makes it a healthier choice for long-term use.
  3. Blood Sugar Control: Both types of cinnamon have been shown to have positive effects on blood sugar control, a benefit for people with diabetes or those looking to maintain stable blood sugar levels. They help reduce insulin resistance and lower blood sugar levels by slowing down the breakdown of carbohydrates in the digestive tract. However, due to the safer coumarin levels, Ceylon cinnamon is preferred for people who use cinnamon as a daily supplement for blood sugar control.
  4. Nutritional Value: Cinnamon, in general, is not consumed in large enough quantities to provide significant amounts of nutrients. However, it is a good source of manganese and contains small amounts of calcium and fiber. The choice between Ceylon and Cassia cinnamon should primarily be based on coumarin content rather than nutritional content.
  5. Flavor: Ceylon cinnamon is often described as having a milder, sweeter flavor compared to the stronger, more pungent taste of Cassia cinnamon. While not directly related to nutrition, the flavor profile of Ceylon cinnamon can make it a more versatile addition to a variety of dishes, both sweet and savory.

In summary, while both types of cinnamon offer health benefits, Ceylon cinnamon is considered the most nutritious and best for the body due to its lower coumarin content and similar beneficial properties with a better safety profile for daily consumption. When purchasing cinnamon, it’s helpful to look for labels that specify the type, as Ceylon cinnamon is sometimes more expensive and less commonly found in grocery stores compared to Cassia cinnamon.

Source: ChatGPT

Today’s Joke: Joe Wanted a Haircut

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Joe: “I went to my hair stylist today and asked her to make me look handsome.”

Pete: “What did she say?”

Joe: “She said, ‘I’m a stylist not a miracle worker.”

Today’s Inspiring Quote: Be Kind to Yourself

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Lighten up while you still can, don’t even try to understand. Just find a place to make your stand, and take it easy. ~ Jackson Browne

It’s Time to Exercise Your Brain – Take the Anagram Challenge  

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Today’s mind sharpening anagram is a two or three word phrase. Can you unscramble the anagram to discover the two or three word phrase? It’s time to exercise your brain! 

Today’s Anagram:  

QUIZ START

Kiss it Away: A Poem by Shel Silverstein

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Kiss it Away

Shel Silverstein

There´s a shadow on the sun I see it risin´
Kiss it away, Kiss it away
And there´s hurt down deep inside that I been hidin´
Kiss it away, Kiss it away
All the hard times we been through
We´d never mind them
We´d kiss ´em away, we´d just kiss ´em away
But now I´m lookin for the good times and I can´t find them
Guess we kissed them away, Must have kissed them away
Kiss away I keep thinkin´ the sun will shine once more
I´m never ready for the sudden rain
Don´t tell me I´m wrong, ´cause I been told
I feel so wet and cold
Come my pain
You keep hopin´ things´ll change and I keep tryin´
One of these days, maybe one of these days
But there´s a coldness in the air like somethin´ dyin’
Kiss it away, Come and kiss it away

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Get Healthy: Can You Excersize Too Much?

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Exercising is crucial for maintaining good health, but like many things, it’s possible to have too much of a good thing. Overexercising can lead to a variety of negative health effects, both physically and mentally. Here are some of the key issues that can arise from exercising too much:

  1. Overuse Injuries: Repetitive strain on muscles, tendons, and bones can lead to overuse injuries such as stress fractures, tendinitis, and muscle strains. These injuries occur more frequently when the body does not have adequate time to repair and recover.
  2. Fatigue: Excessive exercise can deplete your energy levels, leading to a state of chronic fatigue. This is because overexercising can strain the adrenal system, causing an imbalance in the body’s stress hormones, cortisol and adrenaline.
  3. Decreased Performance: Instead of improving, your fitness level and performance may plateau or even decline if you’re overtraining. This is because excessive exercise can lead to fatigue, injury, and reduced muscle mass.
  4. Mental Health Issues: Overexercising can also have negative impacts on mental health, leading to increased stress, anxiety, and risk of burnout. It can also contribute to sleep disturbances.
  5. Hormonal Imbalance: Excessive physical stress from overtraining can affect hormonal balance, including hormones related to stress, reproduction, and metabolism. For example, in women, too much exercise can lead to changes in menstrual cycles or amenorrhea (absence of menstruation), while in men, it can lead to decreased testosterone.
  6. Immune System Suppression: Moderate exercise can boost the immune system, but excessive exercise can actually suppress it, making you more susceptible to infections, especially upper respiratory tract infections.
  7. Heart Stress: While regular exercise is beneficial for heart health, extremely high levels of endurance training over long periods may strain the heart and potentially lead to issues like arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats).

It’s important to find the right balance in your exercise routine, listening to your body’s signals and allowing adequate rest and recovery time. Balancing intense workouts with lighter activities, ensuring proper nutrition, and incorporating rest days into your fitness regimen can help prevent the negative effects of overexercising.

Source: ChatGPT

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