Time Travel- How to Turn Back the Clock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who wouldn’t like to turn the clock back? There is a way. Take a trip to Europe and when you return you will be a day younger than when you left. Not really, but it’s a pleasant thought as you are struggling with jet lag!

I’m about to depart for France. We are going to Paris, Boudreaux and the Loire Valley. We will be touring the many chateaus of Northern France, as well as, historic sites such as Normandy. History has a way of taking us back in time. It shows us how far we’ve come and at the same time shows us that some things never change.

War, love, romance, loneliness, death, birth and grandness are a part of human life. These are things in life that never change. But progress always tries to erase the past  like making letter writing, café chats, perfume, family meals, land line phones, typewriters and Nazi invasions antiquated.

As I struggle with social media, learning my IPhone 6, and remembering my first transistor radio I begin to feel antiquity creeping into my life. I remember albums, black and white TV, waiting a week to get my pictures developed, party phone lines and the miniskirts with Go Go boots. But some things in my life  have always remained the same.

What I remember the most from my early childhood was my great desire at an early age to want to travel and to see the world. This has never changed. For some strange reason I was born with wanderlust. No one in my family had any desire to travel, but I was never content to simply stay home. So I decided at a very early age that someday I would travel and see the world. I have been fortunate enough to have made this dream come true.

I’ve been to Africa, the Middle East, Australia, all over Europe, South America, Central America, North America, the Caribbean, New Zealand, Japan, China, Thailand, Cambodia and more. Each time I travel I mature beyond my self-contained world and at the same time experience the wonders of a child experiencing something for the very first time.

 As Mark Twain said, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.”

Want to turn back time? Travel; because one of the markers of youth is a lack of bigotry, prejudice and narrow-mindedness. Having a broad, charitable, wholesome view of the world reminds us of how much life has changed and at the same time how much it is just as it has always been. It reminds us that although our customs may be different we all laugh, hug, cry, mourn and rejoice. These things will always be the same.

So my bags are packed. I’m ready for adventure, open to discovery and feeling the wanderlust of youthful curiosity. If only my back didn’t ache and my arthritis doesn’t kick up I’ll forget my age, time will turn back and I’ll glimpse the world as it was when the chateaus of France were houses for royalty and the American’s landed in Normandy and defeated the Germans.

See you can travel back in time! Now if only I could leave my wrinkles, aches and pains and grey hair behind I might never come back! But alas after two weeks away – home and the familiar will begin to look good. But in the meantime the wanderlust kid is ready to go!

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Doctor Lynn

http://www.doctorlynn.com

Proactive Anti-Aging - The It Bag!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s the handbag you have to have, until you notice that everyone else has to have this bag and then it loses its appeal.  But if you were younger you would buy it anyway.

Maturity brings with it a sense of freedom. No longer do you feel dictated to buy the “it” of the moment. However, a woman is always a woman no matter the age and a woman will always love a nice handbag. I am no different and so I decide to hunt for my own personal “it” bag. It had to be versatile and comfortable. No longer would I endure discomfort for the sake of fashion. It also had to be stylish and make a statement. Maturity gives you permission to speak your own mind.

So I began to search for just the right it bag that did not make me look old, did not make me look like everyone else and did not make me look dated. Proactive anti-aging to me means I don’t date myself. Getting hung up in an outdated style immediately gives away your age.

After several futile attempts at finding the right bag I must say that a certain PVC tote made it to the bottom of my list. Not because it wasn’t versatile, functional and attractive, but because it was the handbag that everyone was wearing so it had lost its appeal. I bought one for summer. Then I began to see it popping up everywhere on the streets. So I sold it and made a profit. With the money I began to search for my own individual it bag.

What was it I was trying to say? I wanted a statement bag and not just an “it” bag. I wanted to be proactive in my hunt. Being proactive means creating a situation, rather than simply responding to something. So my search began by taking a proactive approach to finding the right bag rather than responding to what everyone else was wearing. My statement: having the freedom to be different rather than responding to the dictates of the marketing world.

But I love the PVC effect. It’s better than leather. Or is it? Leather requires tanning and tanning is bad for the environment. PVC requires manufacturing using toxic chemicals and it too is bad for the environment. I have grandchildren so if I don’t try and do something good for the future of the world my grandchildren may suffer. Such a dilemma!

Then I found eco leather. Suddenly I felt young again. I flashed back to my old hippie days when we marched to end the war, for civil rights, women’s rights and to save the environment. Earth Day began in 1970 as a by-product of my generation. In the sixties and seventies I was young and full of ideals. Somehow those ideals had slipped beneath the surface as I struggled to mature. There were times when I simply conformed and followed the crowd.

It was eco leather that led me to two high end Italian designers with flagships stores in Milan. Could this be where I would find my statement bag? First I found a handbag described as being sexy and bold and then I found a handbag that was described as for the open minded, art- loving, exotic, sometimes ethnic and other time’s bohemian woman. I found my statement! And the two bags together cost less than the PVC tote I was trying to avoid. They both were made of Eco leather. They both were bold and spirited, but with a touch of class. Eureka! I think I found my “It” bags.

I found two “it” bags that both made an individual statement. If maturing has taught me one thing it is not to be afraid to express who I am. Wisdom is the beauty of aging. In a flash of wise insight there comes a moment where who you are becomes more important than who you are trying to be.

Bear with this little digression that will lead bag to my statement bag. One day I took a photo class for my new IPhone 6. In my class was a young girl about twenty-four who lives in my building with her mother. She has pink hair and is quite artsy. She noticed me right away and we bonded immediately. She was wild and free, friendly and warm. She reminded me of myself at her age. I loved the wild and free side of life.

Several weeks later and after I had purchased my statement handbags I ran into Channel (yes that is her name) in the elevator. She went on and on about how much she loved my handbag. I thanked her and I smiled with delight. If Channel loved my handbag I had made my statement. I’m not losing my wild and free spirited touch. I’m still marching to my own drum and the young kids want to march along with me. Suddenly I felt young again.

My Proactive anti-aging tip – leave the “it” behind and make a statement that says I am free, spirited and never follow the crowd. I’m not “it”; I’m me and that “me-ness” will make you feel bold and feisty just like you did when you were young.

And another thing about a statement bag; if it’s cute enough you can always use it to put a bag over your head on those days when you just don’t want to be seen. Sometimes it’s nice to pull a bag over your head and take a break. Here is another thing you can do with a statement bag.

When a guy (or girl) is too ugly to look at their face, if you put a bag over their head then you can be with them without guilt. Tip; If you use a European designer bag, it makes them look even better.

Keep making your statement and you’ll be surprised how young you’ll feel!

 

Here’s to being it!

Doctor Lynn

 

http://www.doctorlynn.com

Memory Slipping? Hit the Buzzer!

 

 

 

It’s right on the tip of my tongue but I just can’t get it out.  Is it happening more frequently these days? How about processing or what we call “hitting the buzzer?” As we age verbal intelligence remains the same, but the speed at which we process or hit the buzzer begins to slow. Or it could be as Mark Twain wrote,” A clear conscience is the sure sign of a bad memory.” Who of us has reached the ripeness of middle age without a few things we would rather not remember?

So in reality there probably are some things we would rather not recall; and sometimes there is a benefit in using your age to conveniently forget. After all remembering everything is a lot of responsibility and at some point none of us really want to keep processing. But we do want to keep the old noggin working. That of course is the good thing about getting older. You can remember what you want and forget the rest. Who cares about algorithms, bandwidth and 404 error (do you even know what 404 error means? That’s why we have Google!). But that first kiss, the best of sex, the summer Sergeants Peppers came out or where I stashed some cash; well those things are firmly etched in my brain. But where in hell did I leave my keys? That’s just normal!

What can we do to keep the brain functioning? A healthy lifestyle which includes a healthy diet, exercise and getting plenty of rest. Let’s start by making a healthy dinner that includes all the essential vitamins and mineral for keeping the memory on track.  

First we need to get plenty of Vitamin E. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that plays a vital role in the aging process. Human cells grown in a culture of vitamin E lived longer than cells grown in an ordinary solution. Scientists believe that what might work for cells in an experiment may just hold true for the cells in your body. Did you know vitamin E is reputed to give more testicular power? It is also helps the body to reproduce more superoxide dismutase, an enzyme that fights free radicals. Free radicals age the body as evident with the age spots on your skin.

Folic acid or Folate work closely with Vitamin B12 in the metabolism of amino acids and the synthesis of proteins. A lack of folic acid is believed to contribute to the decline in brain functioning. That’s because folate derivatives act as coenzymes for neurotransmitters and neurotransmitters are the zap the brain needs to keep processing and functioning. Scientists have actually found that a lack of folic acid is typically found in the cerebral fluid of Alzheimer’s patients.

Antioxidants are like scavengers that patrol the body and eat up free radicals which are the guys that damage our cells. As we age the division and replacement of our cells begins to slow. Free radicals destroy our cells. Antioxidants destroy the free radicals leaving our cells to divide and conquer!

Omega 3 fatty acids are essential when it comes to anti-aging. Some research suggests that Omega 3 fatty acids have a positive effect on dementia and general over all aging. What we do know is that omega 3 fatty acids form the cell membrane and a strong cell membrane helps protect cells against invaders such as free radicals.

Whole grains are an important source of the B vitamins (including folate), dietary fiber and the minerals iron, magnesium and selenium. Minerals play an important role in anti-aging. Selenium is an antioxidant and magnesium helps to maintain our immune functioning, keeps the heart regular, supports stronger bones and even assist with nerve functioning. Iron keeps the blood strong and gives us energy.

So now let’s make a light and healthy dinner so we can remember where we put the car keys, how many years we’ve been married and the ages and names of our children!

Poached Salmon Salad and Oatmeal Peanut Butter Berry Cobbler – dinner for two

3 cups water

1 cup white wine

1 lemon sliced

¼ cup scallions (chopped)

¼ teaspoon of salt

1/8 teaspoon of pepper

2 1 inch thick salmon steaks

In large skillet, combine water, wine, lemon slices, scallions, salt and pepper. Heat to a boil, add salmon steaks and cover. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 7 to 10 minutes. Remove fish from liquid. Cover and refrigerate until chilled.

Meanwhile let’s make the cobbler.

3 cups of mixed berries (blueberries, blackberries, raspberries) mix with ¼ cup of sugar, 1 ½ tablespoon of flour and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Transfer to a small baking dish.

Combine ½ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup rolled oats, ¼ cup almonds chopped, ¼ teaspoon of lemon zest, ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon, 2 tablespoons of cold unsalted butter cut into ½ inch pieces and 1 tablespoon of smooth peanut butter. Use your fingers to work butter and peanut butter into coarse crumbs.

Scatter the topping over the berry mixture. Set baking dish on a baking sheet and cook at 375 degrees for about 45 minutes. Let cool before serving.

Arrange a mixture of dark greens on two chilled plates. Slice a small avocado and arrange half on each plate. Sprinkle sunflower seeds on top. Place chilled salmon on top and drizzle with olive oil. Top with dill sauce which is simply plain non-fat Greek Yogurt mixed with plenty of fresh chopped dill weed. Pour two glasses of rose wine. Serve with side of crusty whole grain bread.

For dessert scoop a serving of the cobbler in dessert cups and top with a tablespoon of vanilla gelato.

Here in one meal is your Vitamin E, antioxidants, folate. Omegas and B vitamins – all you need to feed the brain as you keep hitting the buzzer!   

Doctor Lynn

http://www.doctorlynn.com

 

Proactive Anti-Aging Tip -The Mirror Sometimes Lies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking into the mirror there is no denying what I see. I see an aging person staring back at me. No amount of surgery, hair dye, injectales, healthy diet, and exercise or a stress free lifestyle will stop the inevitable. However, taking a proactive approach to aging may just make it a little easier.

They say the truth lies in your ability to look yourself in the mirror each day. Your mirror image reflects your conscience. It also reflects every flaw, line and sag. And if you look deep enough and long enough you may miss the essence of who you are for the sorted details.

We all do it. Everyone looks into a mirror scrutinizing the person looking back at us. Sometimes we think we know this person and sometimes this person seems so foreign. But it is the only time we really see ourselves. In the mirror we see ourselves at our very best and at our very worst.

I remember when my children were babies and the first time they caught their refection in the mirror. They squealed with delight as they tried to touch and babble at the strange baby looking back at them .We never remember the first time we meet our reflection, but once we are fully aware we return each day for another glimpse.

In one of my books, Sex Matters, I refer to the magic mirror exercise.

Next, each morning, you will do the magic mirror exercise. Self-love means being able to truly look at yourself and love what you see reflecting back. Your mirror is your reflection, and, like all reflections, if you truly focus, you will be able to see the beauty beneath the surface. Folklore, legend, and fairy tales are full of stories about magic mirrors. Your bathroom mirror is a great place to gaze at you each morning to give self-love. When you brush your teeth, put on makeup, comb your hair, wash your face, or shave, look deep into the reflection past the image, and say, “I love you, you are terrific, you are beautiful, you can accomplish anything you desire, because you’re special.”

You may think this sounds silly, but the alternative is to say, “Yuk! Look at that aging person. I feel so depressed.”  What if instead you said good morning to yourself with a smile and reminded yourself that the reflection is not really you. The essence of you is so much more. You are the twinkle in your eye, the sound of your laughter and the warmth of your soul.

The truth is what you see reflecting back is not really you. The mirror doesn’t always tell the truth. If it did every day you would  only see staring back at you this miraculous being living this incredible life. The reflection of age would disappear and you would be so grateful that you have finally reached the time in life where scrutinizing your faults gives way to embracing your natural maturing beauty.

Proactive Anti-Aging Tip - when you look in the mirror wink, smile and be happy that you’ve let go of all the agonizing pressure that was put upon your appearance when you were young. And then ask yourself this question:  "How old would you be if you didn't know how old you was*?" Satchel Paige (1906-1982). Because the mirror sometimes lies!

Doctor Lynn

http://www.doctorlynn.com

If I had to pick one yoga pose for anti-aging; what would it be?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are so many great poses in yoga that are great for slowing the aging process. The great thing about yoga is that it can be done at any age, but if I had to pick one pose that is the all-time best for anti-aging I would pick down dog.

Love it or hate it, down dog is a one for all pose that absolutely provides a pro-active approach to anti-aging. First it is a pose that involves the movement and use of the entire body. It stretches the muscles giving us flexibility. It uses the weight of our body to create a weight bearing pose that strengthens the bones. Balance is then required to hold and maintain it.

It is an inversion which means it takes pressure off the heart and fights gravity by allowing the flow of fresh blood and oxygen to move toward the face instead of away and towards the ground which is what happens when we are standing. If done correctly it strengthens the shoulders and wrist while lifting and opening the hips and this improves our balance. Down dog stretches the back muscles and relieves tension in the neck and shoulders.

But most importantly down dog requires a coordination of both discipline and surrender. Two opposing forces that work together to create balance. It takes discipline to move into down dog. The entire body must be engaged. It takes focus and positioning and these both require discipline. But then to maintain down dog it requires surrender. We must breathe and relax into the pose so we can hold it. Too much tension and we give way to collapse.

So down dog teaches us that with discipline we must surrender if we want to take a pro-active approach to our health. We must approach our health with a sense of discipline, but to maintain it we must surrender and learn to keep our focus without a struggle. Struggle create tension and tension is a factor in accelerated aging

Pro-active anti-aging requires discipline. We need to stay active, be positive and not give in to process and yet at the same time we need to surrender and allow it to happen. We can’t fight it, but we can learn to surrender and like the river enjoy each passing moment. The scenery sometimes is gentler and more spectacular the nearer we get to the delta.  

Down dog – discipline and surrender!

 

 

Doctor Lynn

http://www.doctorlynn.com