#like 25 of us packed into an elevator like sardines

[dottores]

💀 my whole class is lowkey a hive mind its so funny

[eviafoxhouse]

15 Thinks you must see & do in Evia Island Greece

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15 Thinks you must see & do in Evia Island Greece

Greece’s second-largest Island is separated from the mainland by the narrow Strait of Euripus.

With a fierce, mountainous spine and roads that often degrade to dirt tracks on the coast, Evia still isn’t accustomed to tourism.

But there’s much to see, as those mountains have waterfalls, gorges and can be admired in all their splendour on winding roads.

To call the beaches on Evia “remote” doesn’t sum up just how far removed from civilisation they can be.

Many double as campgrounds where people pitch their tents right by the water.

But if you’re tired of noisy beach bars and sun loungers packed like sardines, Evia’s beaches like Thapsa and Kalamos, are a breath of fresh air.

Let’s explore the best things to do in Evia:

1. Ancient Eretria and Theatre

Source: Christos Sallas / shutterstock

Ancient Eretria and Theatre

Some 20 kilometres along the strait southeast of Halkida lie the ruins of the ancient polis of Eretria.

The oldest finds date back to the 9th century BC, but by the 1st century BC Eretria was in decline after being ransacked in the First Mithridatic War against Rome.

The site has two palaces, four temples, baths, a gymnasium and a house with mosaics.

But the show-stopper is the theatre, one of oldest in Ancient Greece, dating from the 5th century BC. What’s so special about this monument is that it was laid on a man-made hill supported by retaining walls, much more of a feat than if it had simply used the slopes of Eretria’s citadel.

Those earthworks are still visible, and the lowest tiers still have their limestone benches, while behind the skene is a vaulted passageway leading to the orchestra.

2. Archaeological Museum of Eretria

Source: Christos Sallas / shutterstock

Archaeological Museum of Eretria

Eretria is important enough that a lot of its ceramics and statues unearthed are now on show at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens or the Louvre.

But the museum at the site still has lots of interesting things to see.

One is a terracotta figurine of a centaur, dating to the 10th century BC and found in a tomb at the village of Lefkandi.

From 560 BC you’ll find a stunning funerary amphora showing Heracles fighting the Centaurs and a depiction of Potnia Theron (Mistress of the Animals) behind.

One of the many noteworthy sculptures is a damaged representation of Theseus and Antiope, a 6th-century work, possibly by the acclaimed Athenian sculptor Antenor.

3. Karababa Castle

Source: Joanna Voulgaraki / Wikimedia

Karababa Castle

Right across the strait from Halkida is a fortress put up by the Ottomans in 1684 to defend the town against the Venetians.

The stronghold caps a cypress-dotted hill with arresting views of Halkida, Evia and the strait,. And if you’re wondering why the architecture is European, the fortress was designed by a Venetian, Gerolimo Galopo and then held out during an unsuccessful siege by the Venetians in 1688. Facing Halkida is a hexagonal bastion armed with two Russian cannons from the 19th century.

In the fortress vaults there’s also a lapidarium, with ancient building fragments, Venetian ornamental carvings and renditions of the Lion of St Mark.

4. Drimona Waterfall

Source: Lefteris Papaulakis / shutterstock

Drimona Waterfall

In Evia’s north, at an elevation of 620 metres is a waterfall in a heart-lifting mountainous landscape.

The waterfall is wrapped in fresh oak and fir forest, and is served by a flight of stone steps.

The flow can be pretty lean in the hot summer, but even when the water level is low the falls are no less beautiful, and this is down to the rocky overhang behind and the clear emerald pool below.

Visit in spring and there’s more of a torrent due to the melting snow running off the mountains.

At the top of the steps by the road is a cafe and forest ranger’s office with a small exhibition of fossils found in the area.

5. Edipsos Springs

Source: Heracles Kritikos / shutterstock

Edipsos Springs

Directly on the strait in Edipsos is a thermal spring that was mentioned by the both Aristotle and Plutarch.

In 1897 the high luxury Thermae Sylla Spa was built on the spring and in its time has attracted famous figures like Aristotle Onassis, Winston Churchill and Omar Sharif.

Fortunately you don’t have to book into that establishment to experience the mineral-rich waters.

These are claimed to soothe muscular and skeletal problems, as well as the endocrine system due to their trace radon levels.

Outside the gates of the spa, where the spring cascades into the sea, is a small beach with a layer of smooth rock formed by the build-up of minerals.

Here and there you’ll find little pools in the rock filled with warm therapeutic water to soak in.

6. Chiliadou Beach

Source: Agnee eviasziget.hu / Flickr

Chiliadou Beach

If you like your beaches to be wild and open to the elements, Chiliadou is the one for you.

The journey there isn’t easy as it takes more than an hour from Halkida, but for the last third the serpentine road weaves through a sublime mountainous landscape, past the 1,742-metre Dirfi peak.

Finally you’ll be at three beaches in an otherwise fearsome environment of gnarled limestone cliffs.

The largest of these beaches is Chiliadou, formerly just for naturists as it’s so remote, but now visited by all.

The beach is broad sweep of sand and pebbles, sometimes lashed by waves, but with transparent water on calmer days.

Parents with children need to take care as the shore drops off suddenly.

Nudists meanwhile have moved along to the more private beach around the headland.

7. Drakospita (Dragon Houses)

Source: PitK / shutterstock

Drakospita

Scattered around Styra in the south of Evia are some 25 megalithic structures, all perched on hills and mountains.

Made with huge slabs of grey limestone, these pyramid-like buildings have drystone walls, bound purely by weight and without any sort of mortar.

They also blend with their rocky backdrops, and often hardly look man-made until you see the rectangular doorways framed by massive slabs in their lintels and jambs.

The best and most researched example is on Mount Oche at almost 1,400 metres, where the lintel is four metres long and two metres wide, weighing a mind-boggling 10 tons.

Ceramics found at this building go back as far as the 8th century BC during the Archaic Period, which hints at the great age of the Dragon Houses.

8. Kalamos Beach

Source: taver / Flickr

Kalamos Beach

Holidaymakers will travel all the way from Athens, 120 kilometres away, for this beach on the east coast of Evia.

Kalamos is actually two beaches side by side: The larger is “Kali”(Good), as it has calmer waters, while the smaller of the two is “Kakia” (Wicked), as the sea is a bit rougher here.

The latter is normally lined with tents as many visitors camp overnight or for whole weekends rather than making the long drive back the same day.

Kali is worth every mile of the journey, with a surface of pale sand and fine pebbles, and sun loungers that come free with the price of drink at the bar.

The water is completely transparent but the beach does fall away suddenly.

9. Dimosari Gorge

Source: Heracles Kritikos / shutterstock

Dimosari Gorge

After sizing up the Dragon House on Mount Oche you can embark on the hike of a lifetime on an old shepherd’s path through this gorge.

Walking the Dimosari Gorge takes around half a day and the path through a forest with oaks, holly, chestnut trees plane trees and wild olive and pear trees.

Half-way along the gorge is the bucolic village of Lenoseoi , while the terrain varies from a gentle valley to a rocky ravine with waterfalls and rapids.

Go quietly and you may have some animal encounters as the forest is a habitat for rich birdlife including buzzards, eagles, owls and nightingales.

At journey’s end is Kaliani Beach where you can cool off with a dip in the Aegean.

10. Thapsa Beach

Of all the far-flung beaches on Evia, Thapsa Beach may be the most demanding to get to.

You’ll need a 4×4 vehicle to navigate the 10 kilometres of dirt road from the village of Koutorla.

And before you leave you need to make sure you have everything you could require, because there are no facilities at all at Thapsa.

But even with this in mind, you can’t turn down the chance to see this spellbinding beach with your own eyes.

In a crucible of vertiginous scrubby hills, Thapsa Beach is a white sand and pebble cove with light blue water commonly described as a “blue lagoon”. Camping is allowed on the beach if you want to spend the night somewhere out of this world, but surely it’s just a matter of time before real tourism arrives at Thapsa.

11. Agios Ioannis Rosos

Source: Dimitrios Michalopoulos / shutterstock

Agios Ioannis Rosos

In Prokopi, an hour north of Halkida, is a church of real status in Eastern Orthodox Christianity as it houses the relics of St John the Russian.

He was born in Ukraine in 1690 and was captured and sold as a slave during the Russo-Turkish War of 1710-1711. His fame comes from a refusal to convert to Islam, and his relics were brought to Evia by immigrants from Anatolia who were forced to move to Greece following the Greco-Turkish War in the early 1920s.

The church dedicated to St John dates to 1954 and there’s a steady stream of pilgrims all year round as he is believed to help people suffering from long-term illness.

His feast day is 27 May, when people come to Prokopi on foot from surrounding villages and you can see traditional music and dance performances specific to northern Evia.

12. Monastery of St David

Source: IM_Kakoulidi / Flickr

Monastery Of St David, Evia

Just four kilometres from the Drimona Waterfall is a monastery established in 1540 by St David of Evia.

According to tradition, David hit a nearby rock near the stick and it started gushing holy water.

The old building burnt down by the Ottomans during the Greek Revolution in the 1820s to punish the monks who had harboured insurgents, but was reconstructed in 1877. For non-pilgrims the monastery’s location is half the magic, as it’s couched beneath the Xiron Oros and Kavalaris peaks.

St David’s is a functioning monastery, and if you make the trip in winter you’ll get a warm welcome from the monks with loukoumi (Greek Turkish delight) and tea or coffee.

13. Euripus Strait and High Bridge

Source: Athina Psoma / shutterstock

Euripus Strait and High Bridge

The channel separating Evia from Beotia on mainland Greece is the scene of a strange natural phenomenon.

Unlike the remainder of the eastern Mediterranean, the Euripus Strait has strong currents, flowing at up 12 kilometres an hour.

At peak flow small vessels are unable to sail against the tide.

What’s more, the tidal flow changes direction around four times a day, and when that flow is reversed vortices form in the water.

The most eye-catching of the two bridges crossing the strait at Halkida is the cable-stayed High Bridge, 600 metres long and completed in 1993. One of this structure’s unique features is its concrete deck, which is just 45 cm thick.

14. Lighthouse of Kakokefali

In Halkida you can walk to the pine-shrouded Bad Head Cape, which juts out into the Euripus Strait in the north of the town.

From the Neolithic period, right through Classical and Hellenistic Greece the cape was a burial site, and it later gained notoriety in Ottomans times as gallows were placed on Kakokefali as a warning.

At the northernmost point is a functioning lighthouse constructed in 1886 with a square tower like a Medieval castle.

The most remarkable thing about the lighthouse is that it is one of just six in all of Greece to still be manned.

15. Wine Tourism

Source: siete_vidas / shutterstock

Vineyard, Evia

Evia has a high reputation for its wine, which is produced around the island but especially on the semi-mountainous Lilantio Plain outside Halkida.

A dominant grape in this region is Savatiano, a white grape that is resistant to Evia’s long dry spells and benefits from the cool air drifting in from the North Evian Gulf.

If you’re in Halkida, the most convenient of Evia’s ten visitable wineries is the multi-award-winning Avantis in the village of Mytikas.

Avantis grows a selection of grape varietals like six types of Syrah, Muscat, Grenache Rouge, Merlot, Greek white Assyrtiko and Sauvignon Blanc.

The venue is a revived early-20th century vineyard, which has a grape press from the 1930s.

As well as the usual tour and tasting session you can sample the winery’s line of cosmetics crafted from grapes.

From thrcrazytourist.com

[changspain]

Decathlon and Swimming

Sadly, I was awakened at about 5am. Not by a soundtrack to some amateur porn but to a soaking wet tent roof that had caved in due to the rain and was sodden from condensation[1]. I opened all the doors, reconstructed the poles and woke up to Luke standing over me. JUGB and Ivy had gone off early in the morning to do a multi-pitch climb (a high one) and would be back around lunchtime. It was already 11am but I hadn’t had a decent night’s sleep in 4 days and I felt no shame despite the disappointed looks of an elderly Spanish couple as I wandered round the campsite in my pink boxers well into the day. I snacked on some leftover tortilla with bravas sauce[2], something that we bought on a whim but became a staple part of all our diets throughout the entire trip. I leaned against a tree and planned my day. I had two main missions: swim and buy a stove – it wasn’t the most taxing of days. Yesterday we had researched that a shop in Lleida definitely stocked a camp stove a well as some other essentials we needed and was about a 30 minute drive. In comparison, a swim consisted of sitting in some water with less clothing on so the quadratic equations to figure that out could wait. JUGB and Ivy returned absolutely beaming and showed us unbelievable pictures of the same valley as the day before but from an extra 200m elevation. I knew that JUGB was handy at climbing but this was only academic until I saw the climb he led that morning and was deeply impressed, scaling a 100m sheer face is so surreal to me I found it hard to comprehend how they achieved the feat with just a few bits of rope and some ballet shoes. Ivy also needed to go to a town to get some cash because she had rapidly run out and I’m not exactly sure how – when travelling your money seems to disappear but rarely at 50 euros a day, she was clearly hording about 37 cans of beer somewhere. Me, Luke and Ivy all set off to find a camp stove and get some money out. I let Luke drive to Lleida to give him his first taste of driving in Spain. He was soon confronted by his first roundabout which must have been as foreign to an American driver as free healthcare. He handled it well and I explained how the lane system worked on a roundabout afterwards more clearly, when I finished he asked: “Why don’t you just stay in the outside lane all the way round?” and I couldn’t provide an instant effective answer straight away which frustrated me so had to give some half-formed reason about a crash that I felt was true enough. As it happened the lane system in Spain was to stay in the outside lane the entire time and the inside lane was clearly just for aesthetic appreciation. Like me, he adapted well to the driving apart from insisting on trying to pull away in 2nd for half the journey from a stand- still. When we reached Lleida we saw signs for a Decathlon on the outskirts so pulled into it rather than delve deeper into an industrial looking Lleida. As the trip has gone on Decathlon has very much served as a port in a storm for us; it’s wide, air-conditioned grey aisles offer a lovely respite from the scorching wilderness we inhabited most of the time. I wandered over to the fishing section and started picking up rods, nodding wisely when employees looked at me and inspecting them as if I knew what I was doing. Before leaving I had been toying with the idea of catching our own fish to cook, I am usually vegetarian[3] but the thought of catching a wild fish and grilling it was quite romantic. However, more appealing than this dreamscape was the fact that it was free and this economic paradise was very enticing. I had selected a random array of apparatus from my garage like it was a line and hook pick ‘n’ mix so all I needed was the rod, that I could buy for a very reasonable[4] 7euros. As it turned out the fishing pick ‘n’ mix I had created was the equivalent of three Toxic sweets, a single sherbet UFO and about 100 of those grim white chocolate circles with shit sprinkled all of them (they taste vaguely of lard[5] inexplicably) – so essentially fucking useless. I also perused the footballs for a moment, as I always do at sports shops, and imagined all the hypothetical screamers I would predictably not put top bins and this thought was enough to dissuade me. I met up with Ivy and Luke, Ivy was buying a roll mat, knife and a chalk bag for climbing whilst Luke was clutching the camp stove and some bottles of gas. We all paid and must have looked like the most ambitious fishermen ever – clearly planning to catch a fish with only a lineless rod and then cook it, then and there, on an open fire, then possibly climb… (the scenario falls apart here). We left the utopia of Decathlon and hit the road again. We introduced Ivy to a plethora of different music on the way home ranging from Clap Your Hands Say Yeah to Heems, it was a bit of a trip down memory lane for me and Luke as we hadn’t listened to this type of music together since year 11. Turns out ‘Womyn’ by Heems is still fucking funny and well worth a listen. It was absolutely roasting on the way home and we were all looking forward to our swim.

JUGB and Seamus were waiting for us and had already been swimming. We used our brand spanking new stove to heat up some Spanish tortilla which we then smothered in so much bravas sauce it became cold again. After letting the bravas sauce with some tortilla thrown in settle in our stomachs we headed down to the pool for the swim we had fantasised bout on the road from Lleida. The pool was large but shallow, at 6 foot 6 I was essentially waist deep for all of it which meant that I could run around it like a two-legged sea leviathan. We played chicken fighting and Luke rode the leviathan like Beowulf in a Scandinavian legend. JUGB then got out and played a variation of catch with Ivy that consisted of them standing incredibly close together and zinging the ball at each other in an attempt to make the opponent drop the ball. I had brought a windball with me, the kind you’d play cricket with in Primary school, which is the best ball for catch because thrown in certain ways can wobble like a knuckleball in football or swing like a Jimmy Anderson fast bowl at Lord’s. Meanwhile, me, Seamus and Luke were performing a type of wrestling show by throwing faux-punches and kicks, the lifeguard watched us carefully whilst the other Spanish bathers would occasionally throw us disapproving glances but none were brave enough to enter the octagon. Our battling slowly petered out and we lay on the scorching rusty pool side, drying off. This tranquillity obviously didn’t last and Seamus standing by the pool looking into the distant hills was too tempting for JUGB not to push him in. A cold, wet Seamus then proceeded to make my life a living hell; firstly, by flicking water onto my warming chest then by convincing JUGB to grab my arms and then together to swing me into the pool. Seamus overestimated his strength and my will to not enter the pool and dropped me onto the concrete edge of the pool and I then flopped into the icy depths like a long flaccid dildo. I returned to the surface in pain and furious. Seamus apologised but in my pleas for help that fell on the deaf ears of Ivy and Luke, I had explained he would drop me onto the hard ground. I lay back on the pool side, seeking heat and safety in the knowledge Seamus was too terrified to awaken the beast again. Another 20 minutes passed and we decided we should go climbing, JUGB had scouted out an easy climb for us all to try together and I was keen to try and learn the logistics of scaling a sheer wall. We got changed, packed the gear and piled into the car. As we were heading out of the campsite we thought we better book an extra night because the site was so perfect. We thought we had already paid for the first two nights and would probably cost an extra 25 euros for another. Luke hopped out, as he possessed the most Spanish but also wasn’t inundated by climbing apparatus. We imagined what the climbs were going to be like and JUGB explained why my trainers wouldn’t really do the trick as climbing shoes. Luke returned with several pieces of paper and got in the car saying: “Not good news.”. As it turned out, the campsite was too good to be true. It was double the price we thought and would cost 100 euros to have one more night and we hadn’t even paid for the night coming up. We discussed the pros and cons of staying another night but at 20 euros each it was a no brainer. We rushed back to our tents, rapidly backed them up then hit the road before the reception charged us the extra night, it was 7pm and we had clearly already overstayed our welcome. We tore out of the campsite in the Seat that may as well been called the Sardine model the amount of stuff we had packed in. We had no idea where we going to stay but wherever it was, it wasn’t going to be 20 euros each – we hoped.

[1] I have reached this conclusion on the basis that I hadn’t pissed myself and I emit an enormous amount of heat.

[2] Spicy tomato ketchup is the best I can do.

[3] When I say this I mean vegetarian, not somebody who says they’re vegetarian but eats fish. I don’t normally give a shit about any vegetarian rhetoric but if you eat fish you’re not a vegetarian – it’s like calling yourself a football player when you just watch Match of the Day.

[4] I assume it was reasonable because Decathlon would never betray me, my knowledge of the rod market is minimal.

[5] “HA TIM!!! I GOT YOU!!! YOU AREN’T A VEGETARIAN!!”. Yeah haven’t always been, NOW GET OFF MY FUCKING CASE YEAH M888

Q A

[dietpillswatchdog]

10 Ways to Lower Triglyceride Levels

Triglycerides are a kind of dietary fat which can often be found in the body’s bloodstream, however high blood triglyceride levels are highly associated with obesity. We consume triglycerides when we eat (particularly from sources of meat, dairy produce, and oil), and we also produce our own source of triglycerides which are made from within our own livers.

These useful fats are nothing to be afraid of in moderation; we actually use triglycerides as a major source of energy. The problem lies in when we consume too much, resulting in much of our triglycerides being stored as fat and elevating our overall risk of heart disease and its associated complications.

Having too many triglycerides is not uncommon either. Approximately 25% of US adults have hypertriglyceridemia (elevated blood triglyceride levels) (Source), normally as a result of ongoing issues with obesity, diabetes, and excessive alcohol use. Fortunately, bringing blood triglyceride levels back to healthy levels is not impossible, or even too difficult for most. Below, we’ll discuss 10 simple tactics you can use to lower your triglyceride levels and reduce your risk of heart disease, heart attack, or stroke.

1) Follow a healthy, low-carb eating plan

As we already know, high blood triglyceride levels are highly associated with obesity, so one key aim to shoot for is to simply lose weight. As we’ve mentioned before in our weight loss article, low-carb diets represent some of the most effective weight loss approaches, as well as one that has been repeatedly proven to lower blood triglycerides.

Several studies have been carried out to examine the relative effects of a low-carb diet or a low-fat on weight loss, and all have so far turned out similar results; not only are low-carb diets demonstrably more effective at reducing obesity, but they also cause a much more significant reduction in blood triglyceride levels (Source, Source). One other study looked at a range of diet approaches and their relative impacts on bodyweight and blood triglyceride levels, with the low-carb approach achieving the most impressive results on every count (Source).

The mechanics behind why this happens is simple. When we consume more calories than we can use in energy, the excess is turned in to triglycerides and stored in fat cells. This process seems to happen more readily with carbohydrate calories than other sources of calories, causing both weight gain and elevated blood triglyceride levels at the same time.

Recognizing carbohydrates is relatively easy. Carbohydrate-rich foods such as white bread, pasta, and potato, as well as highly processed food, are ones to avoid, with most easily substituted with tasty vegetable-based alternatives (Source).

2) Limit your intake of foods with “added sugar”

Though tasty, sugar is perhaps one of the biggest threats to the waistline out there. Sugars are a huge part of many global diets these days, with fizzy drinks and sweets often packing in levels of sugar that are far in excess of what’s considered to be healthy. High-sugar diets are associated with obesity and heart disease, as (like carbohydrates) they are more readily converted to blood triglycerides than most other sources of calories.

One study carried out with children in 2014 found that consuming “added sugar” regularly was strongly associated with high triglyceride levels, even at relatively young ages. The same effect was not seen with dietary fat or high-salt content (Source). Studies conducted with adults tend to uncover the same findings, posing ever-greater threats to cardiovascular health as subjects grow older.

A key tactic you can use to avoid excess sugar is to focus on beverages above all else. Fizzy drinks often manage to pack in obscene levels of sugar, which can significantly increase your calorie intake and triglyceride levels. One interesting study conducted in Mexico found that simply substituting fizzy drinks for water led to significant reductions in the blood triglyceride levels of obese women over 9 months (Source).

3) Increase HDL cholesterol levels by exercising and quitting smoking

High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is a kind of “good” cholesterol, a friendly cleaner that cruises the body’s bloodstream removing “bad” cholesterol and triglycerides. If we enjoy high levels of HDL cholesterol, we can expect to see our triglyceride levels reduce. So how can we raise our HDL cholesterol levels.

The most straightforward way of raising “good” cholesterol levels is through aerobic exercise, which includes jogging, walking, riding a bicycle and swimming. Numerous studies have found that following an aerobic exercise regime raises the body’s supply of HDL cholesterol and reduces triglycerides, a finding that applies to both young (Source) and older people (Source). It seems that high-intensity exercise is the most effective way of reducing triglyceride levels (Source), so readers looking to see the most dramatic effects should consider short, regular exercise sessions (such as an intense 10-20 minute workout 5 times a week).

Another way to increase HDL cholesterol is to quit smoking (if this applies to you). Tobacco smoke artificially lowers HDL levels, meaning that quitting can make an immediate difference.

4) Heavy drinkers should reduce alcohol intake

Although the relationship between alcohol and high triglycerides is slightly less clear than some of the other factors listed here, we still have evidence that heavy drinking is something to avoid.

One interesting Japanese study examined the blood triglyceride levels of non-drinkers, occasional heavy drinkers, and regular heavy drinkers. They found that heavy drinkers were far more likely to have high levels of triglycerides and low levels of HDL cholesterol than non-drinkers, with occasional heavy drinkers apparently showing the most worrying results (Source).

Strangely enough, we often see the opposite results for people that consume alcohol in moderation, with most moderate drinkers actually slightly improving their overall cardiovascular health when compared to non-drinkers (Source; Source; Source).

It seems that only heavy drinkers need to be worried and should aim to change behaviour; if you consume less than 5 drinks, 2-3 times a week as a man (4 as a woman), then you should be fine.

5) Follow a regular eating cycle

One key way we can control our triglyceride levels is through our body’s supply of insulin. The natural role of insulin is to move glucose from our bloodstream into our cells, to be used for energy. In this way, triglyceride levels are reduced, as excess levels are being transported to perform their intended role. Problems happen when the body develops a resistance to insulin due to overeating or obesity, making it difficult for insulin to do its job (you may recognise this as the same issue that leads to type 2 diabetes).

Controlling this is often as simple as following all the advice listed above, although there is one more surprising factor that can help you to reduce the chance of building up a resistance to insulin. Several studies have found that maintaining a regular eating schedule can ensure “appropriate” sensitivity to insulin (Source; Source), making reducing triglyceride levels as simple as eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the same times each day.

6) Consume a source of omega-3 fatty acids regularly

Omega-3 fatty acids are considered essential to our overall health, as they are known to reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems. One key way in which these useful fats protect the heart is through their ability to reduce blood triglyceride levels and increase “good” cholesterol levels.

Finding a source of omega-3 fatty acids is fairly straightforward. You can find them in supplement form, or you could try consuming them naturally by eating oily fish (like salmon, tuna, sardines, mackerel, and others). Fish are generally regarded as healthy in any case, with one study finding that consumption of salmon twice a week significantly decreases blood triglyceride levels (Source).

7) Consume more sources of non-animal protein

We know that we can see positive results on our waistline by avoiding carbohydrates, so it makes sense to consume relatively more protein in our diet. Although most people think of meat and eggs when they think of protein, other plant-based sources of protein have actually been found to be more beneficial when it comes to the question of reducing blood triglyceride levels.

Soy protein includes foods like tofu, soybeans, and soy milk, and (although much maligned in some circles) it has been found to actively reduce triglyceride levels in more than a few pieces of research (Source). One interesting study took the step of comparing its triglyceride-reducing performance with that of animal protein, finding that soy protein actually enjoyed reductions of more than 12% more than animal protein in just 6 weeks (Source).

Similar results have been seen with nuts such as walnuts, pecans, cashews, brazil nuts, almonds, and pistachios (not including common but less healthy nuts like peanuts). A large meta-analysis of numerous studies found that these “tree nuts” reduce triglyceride and “bad” cholesterol levels when taken in appropriate amounts (Source). As most of these nuts are relatively high in calories, the trick appears to be to consume fairly small servings around 5-7 times per week for the best results.

8) Spend time learning about and consuming the right types of fats

The dieting world has done a stellar job of demonising fats in general, when in reality we should be avoiding certain types and actively seeking out others. In terms of your blood triglyceride levels, aim to consume greater amounts of unsaturated fats whilst avoiding unhealthy trans or saturated fats.

Monounsaturated fats (such as those found in olive oil and nuts) and polyunsaturated fats (such as those found in fish and vegetable oil), should be regarded as useful ways to control triglyceride levels, especially when used to substitute for more unhealthy fats. Sometimes, they appear to offer benefits in their own right; one study conducted with elderly women made the interesting finding that extra virgin olive oil appears to reduce blood triglyceride levels, when 4 tablespoons were consumed per day (Source).

For the most part however, the real benefit of consuming unsaturated fats is that they can effectively replace much more harmful trans fats, which are known to raise triglyceride and “bad” cholesterol levels (Source).

Trans fat are the kinds of fats we commonly encounter in fried foods and most factory-processed foods, and are made from partially hydrogenated oils. Along with sugar and refined carbs, trans fats put pressure on the heart by increasing triglyceride levels and “bad” cholesterol levels. Cut them out wherever possible.

9) Consider trying out appropriate supplements

Many of the dietary recommendations made in this article are achievable, but many readers may feel that it is an uphill battle to cover all bases at once. Although it seems simple enough to eat 2 servings of fish per week or swap sunflower oil for olive oil, individual tasks may be forgotten when we’re taking on 10 new things at once!

Here’s where supplements can really make a difference. A range of products exist to help customers find a source of healthy nutrients, that they may otherwise struggle to find. Don’t enjoy eating fish? Then consider taking an omega-3 fatty acid supplement or fish oil product in pill form, and get the same benefits in an easily manageable way. Soy protein supplements can also do some real good, and those facing serious problems managing their diet may consider looking at the possibility of trying a niacin supplement (although we highly recommend speaking with your doctor about this first, as niacin supplements most be dose controlled and will likely cause side effects).

10) Consume more dietary fibre

One aspect of dietary health that does not receive as much coverage as fat, cholesterol, and protein is fibre (which is often sourced from whole grains, vegetables, cereals, fruits and nuts). Despite this, fibre has significant impacts on our digestive system that make it particularly important when discussing the issue of triglycerides.

When we consume relatively more dietary fibre, far fewer volumes of unhealthy substances like sugar and trans fats are absorbed in the small intestine. This has a knock-on impact on our blood sugar and triglyceride levels, effectively reducing both.

Although this may seem like a convoluted process, the impact is potentially huge. One study examined blood triglyceride levels when subjects were following a high-fibre and low-fibre diet, finding a difference of around 45% (Source). Consider consuming relatively more grains, fruits, and vegetables alongside your regular diet, or try a supplement like psyllium to achieve the same results.

The post 10 Ways to Lower Triglyceride Levels appeared first on Diet Pills Watchdog.

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[psychotherapyconsultants]

8 Foods that Boost Your Mood

What we eat might not be able to cure us indefinitely from depression. I learned that hard lesson earlier this year. However, researchers are compiling strong evidence that what we eat can influence our risk for developing depression and can keep persons in remission from possibly relapsing.

Eating better foods has certainly helped my mood and allowed me to get by on less medication. A 2014 review published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition examined the link between diet and depression risk and found that a diet consisting mainly of fruit, vegetables, fish, and whole grains was significantly associated with a reduced risk of depression.1 There are certain foods that are especially good for augmenting mood. Here are eight of them.

1. Fish

Oily, fatty fish like salmon, tuna, and sardines are great sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which enhance aspects of brain function, including mood, and can protect against depression. In a large Norwegian study of 22,000 people, participants who took cod liver oil were 30 percent less likely to have symptoms of depression than the participants who did not take omega-3 fatty acids.2 Our brains are mostly fat, so we need enough omega fatty acids for optimal growth, development, and function of brain tissue. When the brain doesn’t have enough omega fatty acids, the structure of brain cell membranes and nerve connections are inferior, which leads to cognitive and emotional disorders.

2. Nuts

Nuts are loaded with important minerals that aid mental health such as selenium, copper, magnesium, manganese, and zinc. Walnuts are one of the richest plant-based sources of omega-3 fatty acids. They also help replace B vitamins, critical for mood. Brazil nuts have lots of magnesium, which helps calm the nerves, as well as zinc, an antidepressant element that combats anxiety. Almonds are very good sources of manganese and copper, two trace minerals that defuse free radicals produced within the mitochondria, the “powerhouse of the cell,” protecting us against disease and providing us with energy.

3. Yogurt

All dairy can be beneficial for depression because milk, cheese, etc. are rich in calcium, vitamin D, and specific peptides that promote relaxation. However, yogurt is especially beneficial because of its probiotics. In a 2013 study by UCLA researchers, participants who ate yogurt twice daily for a month showed lower levels of activity in the areas of the brain associated with pain and emotion and more increased activity in areas associated with decision making.3

I find the brain-gut connection fascinating. The 100 trillion bacteria housed in our gut, known collectively as our microbiome, can play an important role in our mental health. John F. Cryan, Ph.D. of University College Cork in Ireland, has conducted several studies that show that when the microbiome of mice is disrupted, they mimic human anxiety and depression.4 I drink Kefir every morning, which contains many probiotics, and I do think it has improved my mood.

4. Dark Leafy Greens

“Greens are the primary found group that matches human nutritional needs most completely,” explains Victoria Boutenko in her book Green for Life. They are nutrition powerhouses, packed with vitamins A, C, E, K, and folate; minerals like iron and calcium; carotenoids; antioxidants; omega-3s; and phytochemicals. Greens provide insoluble fiber, which is like a miraculous sponge, helping us to eliminate pounds of toxins regularly. They balance our pH levels, leaving our body more alkaline, and are a major source of chlorophyll, which, according to Boutenko, “heals and cleanses all our organs, and even destroys many of our internal enemies, like pathogenic bacteria, fungi, cancer cells, and many others.”

Dark leafy greens like kale, Swiss chard, and spinach also fight against all kinds of inflammation, and according to a new study published in JAMA Psychiatry, severe depression has been linked with brain inflammation.5

5. Seeds

Seeds are some of Mother Nature’s best mood boosters. For example, pumpkin seeds are chock-full of zinc (containing 23 percent of our daily recommended value in just one once), which promotes emotional resilience because zinc deficiencies have been shown to be a factor underlying depression.6 They are also rich in magnesium, the calming nutrient known as the “original chill pill.”

Sunflower seeds are nutrient-dense foods, as well. They also contain lots of magnesium — a quarter cup provides 25 percent of the recommended daily value — and the specific kind of magnesium (magnesium sulfate) found in sunflower seeds has been known to have beneficial effects on patients with depression dating back 100 years. 7

In his bestseller The End of Dieting, Joel Fuhrman, MD, includes seeds among his G-BOMBS (Greens, Beans, Onions, Mushrooms, Berries, Seeds) — the foods with the most powerful immune-boosting and anticancer effect.

6. Green Tea

Green tea has been used for centuries by the Chinese and Japanese to promote digestion, regulate blood sugar, and for relaxation and mood benefits. It contains an amino acid, theanine, that calms the nervous system. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that people who drink at least five cups or more of green tea daily experience less psychological distress.8

In another study published in 2011 of Phytotherapy, researchers reported the antidepressant effect of L-theanine in mice undergoing a forced swim test and tail suspension test. The antidepressant effect “may be mediated by the central neurotransmitter system,” says the abstract.9

7. Eggs

In her book Gut and Psychology Syndrome, Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride, MD, writes, “Eggs are one of the most nourishing and easy-to-digest foods on this planet. Raw egg yolk has been compared with human breast milk because it can be absorbed almost 100 percent without needing digestion.” Eggs are loaded with essential amino acids, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins (A, D, biotin), as well as minerals like zinc and magnesium that help anxiety. They are a great source of B vitamins, especially vitamin B-12, which promotes development of the nervous system. Eggs also contain choline, an amino acid that serves as a building block for a neurotransmitter called acethylcholin, which aids cognitive and learning processes. Because they are high in protein, they stabilize blood sugar, which is critical for good mood, and keep you satiated longer.

8. Dark Chocolate

In a 2013 randomized, double-blind study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, researchers found that participants who consumed a dark chocolate drink mix for 30 days had “significantly increased self-rated calmness and contentedness relative to placebo.”10 In another 2009 study published in the Journal of Proteome Research, dark chocolate was found to reduce the stress hormone cortisol and help normalize stress-related differences in energy metabolism and gut microbial activities.

Dark chocolate contains large amounts of tryptophan, an amino acid that works as a precursor to serotonin, and theobromine, another mood-elevating compound.11 It also has one of the highest concentrations in magnesium in a food, with one square providing 327 milligrams, or 82 percent of your daily value. The higher percentage of cocoa, the better. Aim for at least 70 percent.

References:

Lai, J. S., Hiles, S., Bisquera, A., Hure, A. J., McEvoy, M., & Attia, J. (2014) A systematic review and meta-analysis of dietary patterns and depression in community-dwelling adults. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 99(1), 181-197. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.113.069880

Raeder, M. B., Steen, V. M., Vollset, S. E., Bjelland, I. (2001). Associations between cod liver oil use and symptoms of depression: the Hordaland Health Study. Journal of Affective Disorders, 101 (1-3), 245-249. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2006.11.006

K. Tillisch, J. Labus, L. Kilpatrick, Z. Jiang, J. Stains, B. Ebrat, et al. Consumption of fermented milk product with probiotic modulates brain activity Gastroenterology, 144 (2013), pp. 1394–1401 401 e1-4

Mayer, E. A., Knight, R., Mazmanian, S. K., Cryan, J. F. & Tillisch, K. Gut microbes and the brain: paradigm shift in neuroscience. J. Neurosci. 34, 15490–15496 (2014).

Setiawan, E., Wilson, A. A., Mizrahi, R., Rusjan, P. M., Miler L., Rajkowska, G., Suridjan, I., Kennedy, J. L., Rekkas, P. V., Houle, S., Meyer, J. H. (2015) Role of translocator protein density, a marker of neuroinflammation, in the brain during major depressive episodes. JAMA Psychiatry 72, 268–275.

Grønli, O., Kvamme, J. M., Friborg, O., Wynn, R. (2013). Zinc Deficiency Is Common in Several Psychiatric Disorders. PLoS One, 8 (12). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3868572/

Serefko A, Szopa A, Poleszak E. (2016) Magnesium and depression. Pharmacological Reports, 29(3),112-119.

Hozawa, A., Kuriyama, S., Nakaya, N., Ohmori-Matsuda, K., Kakizaki, M., Sone, T., Nagai, M., Sugawara, Y., Nitta, A., & Tomata, Y. (2009) Green tea consumption is associated with lower psychological distress in a general population. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 90(5): 1390-1396. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.2009.28214.

Yin, C., Liu, Y., Yin, X., Xhang, L., Jia, G., Zhuang, X. (2011). Antidepressant-like effects of L-theanine in the forced–swim and tail suspension tests in mice. Phytother Res, 25, 1636–9.

Pase, M.P., Scholey, A.B., Pipingas, A., Kras, M., Nolidin, K., Gibbs, A., Wesnes, K., Stough, C. (2013) Cocoa polyphenols enhance positive mood states but not cognitive performance: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 27, 451-458. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0269881112473791

Judelson, D.A., Preston, A.G., Miller, D.L., Muñoz, C.X., Kellogg, M.D., Lieberman, H.R. (2013). Effects of theobromine and caffeine on mood and vigilance. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 33, 499–506.

Originally posted on Sanity Break at Everyday Health.

from World of Psychology https://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2017/07/28/8-foods-that-boost-your-mood/

[cooldesserts-blog]

New Post has been published on http://cooldesserts.net/12-healthy-healing-foods-from-the-bible/

12 Healthy Healing Foods From the Bible

Why does our society seem to seek every way to overcome sickness and disease other than looking in the best Instruction Manual that’s been around for thousands of years? Why do we avoid the simplicity of the basics when it comes to our health? The “basics” I refer to are eating healthy foods, getting regular exercise and adequate sleep.

Of course, the best instruction manual I am referring to is the Bible and there must be hundreds of books out there educating us on the importance of adequate exercise and sleep. Yes, there are scads of books on what to eat, too, but if they tell you to eat something that seems to contradict what the Bible says is OK, you probably should do some serious research before incorporating it into a regular eating plan. 

There are actually some diet/eating plans being promoted that in the long run, may not be very healthy. What a shame if you lose weight, for example, and then have a heart attack because you were eating way too much meat or didn’t get adequate nutrition.

Do I even need to mention some things you should obviously avoid if you want to experience optimum health? Folks, as much as I hate to list anything, this is what I see around me in abundance: fried foods, sugar in just about everything it seems, artificial sweeteners, meals heavy in meats with few vegetables and fruits, almost all cooked, (very little raw foods), and diet drinks.   

The foods listed in this report are by no means all the “healthy” foods mentioned in the Bible. They should, however, provide you with some guidance in your food choices.

1. Apples. Song of Solomon. Apples are considered to be the “all around health food.” They are high in flavonoids, fiber and Vitamin C. Some of the apple’s healing powers include: A.      They lower both bad cholesterol and high blood pressure

B.      The juices in apples are highly effective virus fighters

C.      They help stabilize blood sugar, an important factor in controlling diabetes

D.      They suppress the appetite without robbing the body of necessary nutrients

E.       Depending on the need, they prevent constipation or help treat diarrhea

One caution: conventionally grown apples may be highly sprayed with pesticides and coated with wax. Purchase organically grown apples when possible.

2. Barley. Deuteronomy 8:8, Ezekiel 4:9. Barley’s high fiber content can help keep us regular, relieve constipation and ward off a wide variety of digestive problems. It also may help block cancer. Barley is full of beta glucans, a type of fiber that can lower the risk of heart disease by reducing the levels of artery-clogging LDL.

3. Coriander (Cilantro). When the children of Israel wandered in the desert and received manna from the sky, they described it as looking like coriander seed. Since then coriander has been called “the healer from heaven.” Coriander is recommended for indigestion, flatulence (excessive gas) and diarrhea. Externally, it’s used to ease muscle and joint pain. Recently, scientists began looking at coriander as an anti-inflammatory treatment for arthritis. Other research has demonstrated that it reduces blood sugar levels, an indication that it may prove to be a useful sugar management tool for diabetics.

4. Fish. Luke 24:42-43. Fish is low in cholesterol and contains healthy polyunsaturated fats. Fish is a rich source of protein, potassium, vitamins and minerals with only a moderate amount of sodium. Eating fish: * Thins the blood

* Protects arteries from damage

* Inhibits blood clots (anti-thrombotic)

* Reduces blood triglycerides

* Lowers LDL blood cholesterol

* Lowers blood pressure

* Reduces risk of heart attack and stroke

* Eases symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis

* Reduces risk of lupus

* Relieves migraine headaches

* Fights inflammation

* Helps regulate the immune system

* Inhibits cancer in animals and possibly humans

* Soothes bronchial asthma

* Combats early kidney disease

The key to the healing powers of fish lies in the omega-3 fatty acids. These are particularly concentrated in cold-water fish such as anchovies, bluefish, herring, lake trout, mackerel, sable fish, whitefish, flue fin tuna, salmon and sardines. Note: in deciding between “healthy” and “unhealthy” fish, you can get specific instruction from Lev. 11:9. Eat only fish which have both fins and scales.

5. Garlic. One of the world’s oldest healing foods. By the time of Moses, garlic was already being used as an anticoagulant, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor agent, as well as a relief for flatulence, a diuretic, a sedative, a poultice and as a cure for internal parasites. Research suggests that garlic may help protect against heart disease and stroke by lowering blood pressure. It contains allylic sulfides, which may neutralize carcinogens. In fact, garlic has been linked to lower rates of stomach cancer, too. It is heart-friendly, with scores of studies showing its astonishing ability to fight hypertension, prevent blood clots and lower cholesterol.

6. Fruits, Berries, Grapes. Numbers 13:23, II Samuel 16:1-2. Grapes were the first thing Noah planted after the flood. Grapes were eaten fresh, dried and eaten as raisins just as we do today, and pressed into cakes. However, most of the crop of the vineyards was made into juice, wine and vinegar. A cup of raw grapes contains only 58 calories, 0.3 grams of fat, zero cholesterol and vitamins A, B and C. Grapes also contain important minerals such as boron, calcium, potassium and zinc. 

Grapes may be helpful in preventing osteoporosis, fighting tooth decay, heading off cancer and fighting off viruses. Other health-giving fruits include figs, melons, and pomegranates.

7. Legumes. 2 Samuel 17:28-29, Genesis 25:34. As reported in the book of Samuel, beans were among the highly nutritious foods sent to feed King David’s hungry army and restore their strength for the hard times ahead. Beans have a lot of soluble fiber, which helps lower LDL and reduce blood pressure. The fiber also helps keep blood sugar levels stable, stave off hunger, and even reduce the insulin requirements of people suffering from diabetes.

Beans are a great source of protein as well as being packed full of vitamin C, iron and dietary fiber. Beans help lower blood pressure and reduce the “bad” cholesterol that today’s research has shown to be the cause of so much devastating heart trouble — a rarity centuries ago. Beans contain chemicals that inhibit the growth of cancer. They help prevent constipation, can stop hemorrhoids and other bowel-related problems from developing, and help cure them if they do.

8. Nuts, including almonds, pistachio nuts and walnuts. Song of Solomon 6:11, Gen. 43:11. Botanists today believe that Solomon’s “garden of nuts” referred to in Scripture was a rich grove of walnut trees. At the time, walnuts were prized for the oil they produced, which was regarded as only slightly inferior to olive oil. The fact that walnuts were a delicious treat and highly nutritious was an added bonus. Nuts contain the right mixtures of natural ingredients whose benefits include cancer prevention, a lower risk of heart disease and help for diabetics. The oil found in walnuts is considered helpful because it is one of the “good guy” polyunsaturated fats and tends to lower blood cholesterol levels. Note: it’s best to avoid roasted nuts since they have been found to carry carcinogens, which could lead to cancer growth, so buy your nuts raw.

9. Olives. The olive was one of the most valuable and versatile trees of biblical times. It is mentioned frequently throughout the Bible. Probably the most famous reference to olive oil and its healing powers is in the parable of the good Samaritan, in which the Samaritan cares for a beaten and robbed traveler, treating his wounds with oil and wine. Olive oil, mixed with wine, was even used to soften and soothe bruises and wounds. Known benefits of olive oil include:

* Lowers blood cholesterol            

* Reduces LDL (bad) cholesterol levels

* Retards cancer growth

* Reduces the wear and tear of aging on the tissues and organs of the body and brain

* Reduces gastric acidity

* Protects against ulcers and aids the passage of food through the intestines, helping to prevent constipation

* Reduces the risk of gallstones

* Aids normal bone growth

One CAUTION: olive oil has a slight laxative effect, so add it to your diet gradually.  One TIP: the more pure the olive oil, the better, so spend a little extra and get Virgin Olive Oil.

10. Onions. Numbers 11:5. Like its cousin, garlic, the onion is noted as a cure-all. And the folk healers hold it in high regard as far back as 6000 years or more. At least 3000 years before the birth of Christ, onions were treasured both as food and for their therapeutic value — particularly in the treatment of kidney and bladder problems. Some facts about onions:   

* Taken internally as a tonic to soothe intestinal gas pains

* Taken internally to alleviate the symptoms of hypertension, high blood sugar and elevated cholesterol

* Some people attribute their long life to a diet that includes high concentrations of onions and yogurt

* The juice of an onion and a syrup made from honey has been used to treat coughs, colds, and asthma attacks

* A tonic of onions soaked in gin has been prescribed for kidney stones and to eliminate excessive fluids

* Modern herbalists recommend onion syrup as an expectorant (it helps eliminate mucus from the respiratory tract)

* Onions can raise the good and lower the bad cholesterol

* Onions can slow blood clotting, regulate blood sugar, break up bronchial congestion and possibly prevent cancer

* Onions possess a strong antibiotic that kills a variety of bacteria

* Have been used externally as an antiseptic and a pain reliever

11. Wheat. Jeremiah 41:8, Ezekiel 4:9. Wheat was the “staff of life.” Biblical people ate their grain boiled and parched, soaked and roasted, and even ate it green from the stalk. It was pounded, dried or crushed to be baked into casseroles, porridges, soups, parched grain salads and desserts. Ezekiel’s bread was intended to be a survival food during the dark days of the Babylonion conquest because it contained wheat, barley, beans, lentils, millet and spelt. Wheat bran is high in insoluble fiber. The fiber protects us against constipation. It helps prevent intestinal infections, hemorrhoids and varicose veins. It also improves bowel function and guards us against colon cancer.

12. Wine. I Timothy 5:23. John 4:46. Making wine from grapes is one of the most ancient arts and the beverage of choice in the Bible. According to Genesis, one of the first things Noah did after the flood was plant a vineyard so he could make wine. Researchers are now rediscovering what the physicians of the Bible knew centuries ago. In moderation, wine has a profound impact on our health and healing. Just a single glass of wine a day may be enough to raise the good cholesterol by 7% and help the body put up a barrier to a variety of cancers.

Wine appears to help stop heart disease and cancer. A study at the University of Ottawa in Canada concluded that there is a clear link between wine consumption and lower rates of heart disease. Countries where more than 90% of alcohol is consumed in the form of wine have the lowest rate of heart disease deaths.

A British study of 100 men and women discovered that a single glass of wine or sherry everyday increased the HDL or good cholesterol. When the group abstained from drinking wine, the HDL level decreased.

Red wine also seems to increase the body’s defenses against cancer. White wine may carry some of the same therapeutic benefits, but research so far seems to indicate that red wine is the most effective cancer blocker. Note: be sure to drink only in moderation. Ephesians 5:18.

As you can see, the Bible lists a lot of foods, foods that are actually available to us today, that we could be consuming to prevent illness, serious diseases and many trips to the doctor. Good health is not that difficult, but you do have to work at it a bit. It’s a balance of what you eat, exercise, sleep, avoiding stress, taking vitamin supplements. And strange as it may seem, the Bible is actually a complete instruction Manual for all of this.

In conclusion, the 12 healing foods listed here are only a partial list of healing foods found in the Bible. However, this report provides abundant evidence that God has placed on this earth, many health-giving foods for our consumption. A person who makes a serious effort to daily eat some of these health-giving foods, while avoiding health-destroying foods, certainly can expect to reap the benefits of a healthier body.

[memsmedic1]

India! 12/19/2016

Although we started traveling to India on the 19th our first flight did not leave Bangkok until 2 am on the 20th. From there we flew across the Bay of Bengal to Kolkata India where we had a 9 hour layover. The smog here was so intense it was as if the city was being swallowed in a solid wall of brownish yellow murkiness outside the airport windows. Even with all the extra time on our hands we didn’t think of venturing outside. Instead we tried to sleep and ate delicious authentic Indian airport food for the first of many times!

Next we took a regional flight 1 ½ hours north from Kolkata to Dibrugarh, a city in northern Assam State, known as the tea city of India for all the vast tea plantations in the area, many of them well over 100 years old.

The air quality improved the farther north we went and through the clouds we caught some magnificent glimpses of snow covered mountains that appeared to be nearly as high as the aircraft. Coming in for landing in Dibrugarh we saw that the countryside was perfectly flat and crisscrossed with lazy, meandering rivers of various sizes. Everything was brown except the tea plantations and patches of forest.

After landing and claiming our gear we went outside where we were met by Nio, Phillips wonderful wife. She had a large taxi waiting and once we were loaded accompanied us to our hotel.

Dibrugarh has a population of 154,019 people, is 354 feet above sea level, and would probably be classified as a typical Indian city, (filthy and foul smelling with unconvincing beggars and an ineffective public works department but amazing food) probably not as typical as other cities farther south though. This is where we will stay while we go over last minute details with Phillip and Nio and wait for the American team to arrive.

The American side of the Medical team consists of 16 people, including 3 doctors, one of which is M-E.M.S. medical director. Most of the others have medical training of some kind or another such as EMT’s, EMR’s, public health educator, optometry student (to help the optometrist), and nurse. They will be flying into Dibrugarh 2 days after our Myanmar EMS team, on the 22nd.

From Dibrugarh it is a 7 hour truck ride to the end of the road where we would start our 100 mile expedition from. However, one of the discussions we were having with Phillip and Nio was the possibility of flying the team and supplies all the way to Phillips village on a military helicopter and then trekking out providing medical care as we went. At first the officials were favorable to the idea but once they found out it was a team of foreigners who wanted to go, they apologized and said that we would not be allowed to fly after all. After some very determined finagling however, Phillip persuaded the officials to tentatively allow us to fly in a military contracted private chopper, but we knew that nothing was final until we had stepped off at our destination.

After two nights of being overly mosquitoed, under blanketed, and having a turn entertaining the stomach bug that was going around, I was fortunately starting to feel better when the American team arrived! After they were picked up from the airport along with their mountains of personal gear and medical supplies we all got introduced to each other and had a nice evening talking and getting to know everyone.

The current plan called for the helicopter to fly us out to the village the next morning on the 23rd, but then we were told that it would not be available until the day after. That was good news for the new arrivals, who had jet lag, but bad news for our clinic schedule.

On the 24th we arrived at the airport with all our supplies and after waiting for a while we saw a giant MI-172 Russian built transport helicopter approach and land. While we waited for all the equipment to be stowed we wondered how all 24 of us including Phillip and Nio, plus the supplies could possibly fit on one helicopter.

Finally a crewman came and talked with us and said we would be over the maximum weight limit (8,820 pounds) with everything on board and some of us had to stay behind. Well as you can imagine this threw a major wrench in the works! Everybody had originally been planning to trek the 100 miles both ways (except for one poor misguided individual who not only thought the helicopter was a for sure thing but that it was going to chauffeur us from village to village on the way out also!😂) but now that an easier option had presented itself we were loathe to not utilize it! (Plus who doesn’t want to fly in an awesome Soviet era transport chopper every chance they get?)

The official in charge of the helicopter requisition said that he would make sure the helicopter made a second trip for us, but just to cover every contingency five of us who knew we could travel rapidly if needed volunteered to stay behind in Dibrugarh. That afternoon after the first group had already taken off the weather became overcast, the ceiling dropped and it started raining which would ground the helicopter. We hoped that it had been able to fly safely through the Himalayans and drop the team off at their destination before it had to land.

The next morning it was still foggy and drizzling but we loaded up and went to the airport anyway. We decided that if there was no word on the helicopter by noon we would just drive to the end of the road that afternoon and start backpacking in that evening. Fortunately for us after the sun rose it started to clear up and soon visibility was good enough for a VFR flight. Happily the helicopter showed up again for the 5 of us even though it was a Sunday and Christmas Day. One of the pilots told us that they never fly on Sunday’s or holidays but had been told to make an exception for us!

After thanking the crew we boarded with our backpacks and settled in for the 1 hour and 10 minute flight. As we lifted off I thought to myself that this would be a Christmas to remember!

As we reached cruising altitude we had amazing almost 360 degree views of the landscape (because the helicopter was so empty we could wander around and look out any window or sit in any seat we wanted to). At first the ground was completely flat and dotted with small cities and towns. We could see a group of people people celebrating Christmas around a giant bonfire and another group of maybe 200 were in a circle and had a boxing match in progress!

After 20-25 minutes we flew over one last town and suddenly we were in the mountains! At first we were flying well above the foothills but they rapidly grew until we were snaking our way through a valley with mountains that seemed oh so close on either side and towered over our heads with a river rushing beneath. The views just kept getting more and more spectacular with every turn of the valley, with snow capped mountains coming into sight and little villages appearing from time to time in the jungle below.

Originally the plan was for the team to trek in from village to village providing medical care as we went and then backpack out, but now we will be able to help the most remote villages first, which are also the largest, while we still have the most supplies and energy. The village that we are flying to, and where we will be starting the 100 mile trek from, is located near the end of the valley at over 4,000 feet elevation and has a population of around 3,000 people if you count all the surrounding villages that patients will be coming from as well.

At last we reached a place where the valley seemed to stop, and through the clouds we saw that snow covered mountains surrounded us on 3 sides. Looking down we saw another village, and as we reached the end of the valley the helicopter made a wide sweeping turn and descended towards a clearing just above it. As we came down I could see some of the medical team and some village leaders on the ground waiting for us.

After landing we thanked the flight crew again and walked outside where the clean smelling air, pollution free bright blue sky with retreating clouds, warm sun and exquisite vistas met us as a welcome change from the lowlands. We were greeted by our team and many of the villagers, then we walked down to the center of the village where we would be sleeping and having the clinic.

Talking to some of our team on the way down we found out that they had had an uneventful flight yesterday though their view hadn’t been as good as ours due to deteriorating weather and the fact that they had been packed in like sardines sitting on luggage and holding luggage and people in their laps so they could barely breathe much less move! They had spent the rest of yesterday and this morning unloading and getting everything organized and set up to start seeing patients this afternoon.

Before we were allowed to start seeing patients however, the villagers first gave us a delightful welcome by wrapping hand woven scarves around our necks and bringing us into a newly built bamboo shelter to eat Christmas dinner!

The way that this meal and most of the other meals we ate on the trip were served went like this: a girl would pour water so we could wash our hands, then after being seated we would be brought a cup of water to drink and then a large green ball. Upon dissecting said ball it will invariably be found to contain a serving of special mountain rice wrapped in a large leaf, which flattened out becomes your plate! Now other girls come with large bowls and serve usually 2 or 3 different toppings for the rice, such as pumpkin curry, dal, green papaya salad, or soup. We used our fingers to eat, and after the meal we would be brought cups of tea with milk and sugar in it (definitely an acquired taste but one that I like now).

Looking at the village as we walked through I was amazed by how clean and well maintained it was, and the same care was taken with food prep. All the vegetables are washed with clean water before being prepared for us, and only the most experienced women cook the rice, which is carefully stirred in a giant pot filled to the brim and simmered over an open fire until it’s ready to be formed into balls.

While we were still finishing eating one of our translators came and told us that a critical patient was coming in. I went outside and saw several villagers walking past the line of patients waiting to be seen carrying a homemade stretcher on their shoulders. They set him down and Dr Chuck and I went over to assess him…