Happy Easter! I hope you enjoy time with your family and friends on the long weekend. We head up to Barrie to be with our family. It is always a treat to watch the Grandbaby’s play together.
I was reminded this week how important it is to be thankful for who you are and acknowledging how far you have come. I know many people struggle with depression. I am happy to say this is mainly behind me now. I had looked at an article on Facebook which spoke about magnesium and how it can help with depression. As you may know, depression had plagued me for many years. I am glad to say this no longer applies. I do take calcium and magnesium every night for osteoporosis. Perhaps this is why my former depression no longer plagues me? The added benefit to this is that it does help you sleep. I definitely notice when I have forgotten it and wonder why I am restless that night. It is certainly interesting for me to think magnesium can have such an amazing effect on me. I usually take it around 8 p.m. so it has taken effect by the time I settle to bed.
Here are some important facts:
Magnesium is one of the most common minerals on earth and is present in many foods e.g. Whole Wheat. Most whole grains are a good source of magnesium, but whole wheat flour wins with 160 mg per cup.
Spinach. Dark, leafy greens are rich with nutrients, and spinach is no exception
Quinoa
Almonds
Cashews
Black Beans
Edamame
Peanuts
My personal favourite is dark chocolate! For each 100 grams you get 36% of your daily intake! How cool is that especially at Easter! Just another reason to LOVE chocolate!
Magnesium is essential for human health. Every cell and organ need this mineral to function properly. It contributes to bone health, as well as proper brain, heart and muscle function. Magnesium supplements have been linked to several benefits, including fighting inflammation, relieving constipation and lowering blood pressure.
I am trying to eat healthier lately. At times I still want that bag of chips, however I get the smallest bag I can find and that does me for a long time. I know from previous times if I don’t have what I want I will just eat whatever I can find and then still have the chips. This may not work for everyone, but it does work for me.
However you plan to improve your health, go about it realistically. Too much of anything can be detrimental e.g. too much food, too much exercising etc. Balance is the key. Find out what works for YOU and what does not. Everyone has different triggers. I know I get the munchies in the evenings, so now I try to have healthier choices. Sometimes just recognizing you are full is the key. Habit can sometimes sabotage you. I have a friend who has lost a lot of weight and makes kale chips in the oven with olive oil and sea salt. I didn’t think that would taste good at all but was surprised. I don’t even like kale and this was pretty good. Now I still have my popcorn occasionally and do put some butter on it… but not what I would have before.
So, Easter got me thinking about food! Surprise! It is kind of like Christmas with all the bounty laid out in front of you. Enjoy every moment of celebrations. Perhaps cut back enough to taste everything but not overdo it. I don’t know about you, but I do not enjoy that overstuffed feeling if I truly indulge.
Easter is also a major religious event i.e. not just the Easter Bunny! What ever your beliefs, try to remember what this holiday is all about. When I worked at Regional Mental Health Care in St. Thomas they used to have a Cantata both at Christmas and at Easter. I truly miss these as they put me in touch with the true meaning of these holidays. The choir would sing and the staff in beautiful costumes would stand in positions without moving. It lifted my heart to hear and see these events.
I send you an Easter blessing for 2018.
