matthew's
health and wellness tips from
"days of our lives better living: cast secrets
for a healthier, balanced life" |
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I practice Buddhism. I'm a big believer in having a practice
that helps you reflect on your time or your life and how you
are at that moment. Finding a nice place in your house where
you can be comfortable and rested to chant or just even sit
quietly is a great place to start. Take five minutes just
for yourself. It's extremely hard to do given how busy we
all are. We feel guilty for taking time for ourselves, but
we'll sit in front of the television for how many hours.
For me, it's a world peace movement. I sometimes practice
in a group setting where we talk and chant. We discuss what
changes we can make in our own lives and hope for a better
environment with less violence. We encourage dialogue about
change. This is a natural, organic outlet for myself.
By doing the PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) story line
and in talking to some military people, I learned that there's
a new idea floating around called "mindfulness."
It's a way of thinking and focusing that helps you become
aware of your present experience. A huge challenge exists
for these people as it's difficult for them to be present
with trauma-triggers found in other places. It helps you notice
your thoughts and learn to take a step back from them, to
let them take their natural course.
Mindfulness advocates taking some time with no radio, no cell
phone and no other distractions. Do it for a minute or for
five if you can. It's more challenging if you strive to do
it for longer periods of time. |
I love doing a great core work out. When you balance on a
ball like this, you have to use a lot of the tinier muscles
in your knees, calves and ankles. Keeping your balance on
the ball involves constant adjusting so you're really working
out those internal muscles.
You're working out your stomach and oblique muscles just so
you don't fall off the ball. I'll do this for a while, which
really warms things up.
I put the flat edge on the floor when I do this exercise,
but you can reverse it and stand on the flat edge. Either
way, you'll get a great core workout. If you don't have a
balance bar, try using a broom stick.
People can have big accidents doing the littlest of things
-- stepping off the curb the wrong way. Exercising and strengthening
the smaller muscles in your body can help prevent injuries. |
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matthew's
spicy hummus
I have hummus with raw vegetables as a meal
several times a week. It's wonderful!
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ingredients:
11/2 cups raw chickpeas
3 medium cloves garlic, minced
juice from 2 medium lemons.
3/4 cup Tahini
1/4 cup (packed) finely minced parsley
Fresh black pepper to taste
Dash of cayenne
Dash of Tamari sauce
1/4 cup minced scallion
method:
- 1 soak raw chick
peas for 90 minutes and boil until very
soft (about 90 minutes).
- Mash chickpeas
into a thick paste using a food mill, grinder
or masher.
- Combine all ingredients
and chill thoroughly.
- To achieve desired
taste, add additional garlic, Tamari or
Tahini.
Serves:
6
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Approximate nutritional analysis
per serving: 110.3 calories, 4.5 grams of protein,
11.7 grams of carbohydrates, 13.8 grams of fat, .3
grams of fiber and 7.1 milligrams of sodium. |
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| The book may still be found in some bookstores, otherwise
check Amazon.com
to purchase. |
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