The older we get, the less mobile we seem to be. I get caught up in what is expected behavior. Sit here. Don’t get on the floor. Don’t get your clothes dirty. The truth is the more we play and stay active the healthier we will be,
When we quit moving or move less, we affect our bodies negatively in multiple ways. Motion helps keep the circulation in our body. This helps keep feeling in our extremities like our hands and feet. Circulation helps get oxygen, nutrients, electrolytes, and hormones around the body to the cells. It also picks up carbon dioxide and waste to be removed.
Static bodies also tend to have chiropractic problems, sciatic problems, and painful joints. We were meant to twist bend and flex. All that popping in your back may mean it’s out of alignment. You can get a chiropractor for this, or you can lay on the floor on a yoga mat and gently work the pops out.
Please make sure to discuss all exercise plans with your doctor. They can help guide you. Risks of stroke, developing diabetes, and heart failure can be reduced with play, aka exercise. Be sure you listen to your body’s bio feedback while you're playing.
Sources: "7 Circulatory System Diseases: What You Should Know"
Healthline 09/29/2018
"10 Stretches for Sciatica Pain Relief"
Healthline 10/28/2021
"Back Pain"
Mayo Clinic
I'm not saying you should go out and start with fire poi balls. You may be able to cure your sciatica with stretches designed to work on the hips and back. Some stretches can be done in a seated position. Sometimes my back clicks and pops while I am grooming doggies or the cat that I drop in on.
Gardening and cleaning the house can seem like chores. The trick is to change your mindset. If you find you have a hard time getting these things done, you may need to realize it’s not just something to check off the list. It actually keeps you healthier due to the motion. Let’s turn it into a way to play...
My favorite way to motivate myself is to add music and dancing. I’ve gotten to the point where I don’t care what people think. Seeing me dancing while I weed my garden or clean house is a normal sight. It makes me feel younger too.
When I see a child, I automatically think of the word play. They run around using their entire bodies. You might see them windmilling their arms about or even turning cartwheels. Please don’t ask me to do a cartwheel. Nice walks out in a park or a walking bridge will have to do.
Walking just won't quite get to everything. Think about it. How many times during the week do you lift your arms over your head? Maybe when you’re getting something out of one of the upper shelves in your kitchen cabinets? Or maybe it's when you are reaching for something on the top shelf in the grocery store. We lose a lot of mobility in our shoulders, neck, and upper back. The old saying use it or lose it is absolutely true when it comes to your physical health. So, to maintain a good range of motion in your arms, there's always playing a sport... Volleyball, baseball, tennis, soccer, or flag football. I may just opt for swinging the poi balls without the fire.
Do you remember when you were a kid? You may have heard your parents say don’t play with your food. Boy was that wrong! I’m not saying go out and have a food fight. That’s a pain in the rear to clean up. Still, how many of us are born knowing exactly how much of which spice to put on food?
There are tons of different spices out there. The only way we’re going to know what we like is by experimenting with our food. Try out different recipes. Shoot just try out different spice profiles. Salt and sugar are not the only two spices out there.
It’s quite easy to test new spices in cream cheese. You just soften your cream cheese a bit. Thirty seconds in the microwave should do it. Next you take your spices and mix it in with your cream cheese. Refrigerate for about an hour. Use cut vegetables, like celery or carrot sticks, or fruits, like apple wedges, instead of crackers.
This week’s recipe is so simple. It’s meant to get you back out there playing. Just remember right now with the extreme heat to come inside from 10AM to 4 PM whenever possible. You can dance around the kitchen while you make this juice recipe. It will also help to rehydrate you.
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Almond Butter Apple Juice
Ingredients:
1 small apple, cut into wedges
3-4 ice cubes
1/4 cup water
1/8 of a cup almond butter
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon flaxseed meal
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
Directions:
1.) Rinse and slice your apple.
2.) Place all the ingredients in a single serve food processor container like ninja.
3.) Blend until there are no more lumps.
I keep the apple’s skin on. The skin of many fruits and vegetables is where a lot of vitamins and nutrients are stored. The ginger will add health properties and give it a flavorful bite. The nutmeg has a dark nutty flavor. If you don’t like either or both, please feel free to play with your food and adjust the recipe by removing them.
Now I have choices of playing. Harvesting and processing food or remodeling an ancient bathroom are in my future. What choices! I just need my earbuds...
If you have a favorite dish, please tell me. I'll create a diabetic friendly version, just let me know by leaving a note below. I've learned how to swap blood sugar spiking ingredients for others with a lower glycemic index. It may take a week or two, but I love the challenge. Please comment, like, share, and come back next week for more recipes, ideas, and tips. Subscribe to the website, if you would like weekly email reminders to add more recipes to your recipe book.
Disclaimer: This is not medical advice, but a compilation of research from medical sites. Make sure to see your doctor and have up-to-date lab work.