Month: March 2018

Kick Butts Day…Cigs that is!

12C1AA8C-0E4A-4838-A297-05E878E9A9B9March 21st is the day kids and adults say “no” to smoking and increase awareness. Years ago the “Truth” campaigns against tobacco were started in the US states of Massachusetts, Florida, and California and because of their appeal it helped the entire anti-tobacco movement. However in many parts of the world young people are starting to smoke in early teens, and even though they know it’s bad for them they continue anyway — now “vaping” is another slightly safer but still problematic as toxic chemicals affect the smoker. Love this California ad. 

Studies prove that passive smoking is alive and well and environmental tobacco smoke in non-smoking areas show unhealthy limits (Vardavas, Kondilis et al.). It is amazing how big tobacco keeps targeting smaller and poorer countries including Greece, by funding seaside club-bar venues like this one!

So it’s time for us to set the record straight… besides long term effects on one’s heart and lungs leading to serious and chronic health issues including death, here are some other (of many) issues one needs to think about:

1) Cigarettes make your teeth and fingers yellow, visit your dentist at least once a year (twice is the ideal).

2) Your skin loses elasticity and you age faster. Think of loading up on antioxidants like vitamins!

3) Your hair, clothes, furniture, and home, stink… 17118D71-9187-44AD-B893-96B4832F168Eif you smoke prefer open spaces but pleeeaaase do not expose people to passive smoking or throw your cigarette butts on ground and seas — Don’t pollute !

Ever wonder how some cafes, restaurants, or public places successfully deliver their “thanks for not smoking” messages? Take a look….

Why not enjoy a coffee in peace, as you write about all the money you will be saving once you kick the habit? Places you can travel to, wonderful tastes and smells that come back to you when your olfactory system kicks in. Think of who you need to recruit on your support team to help you quit? Especially in dealing with possible relapse…

It’s time for future generations to bind together and make smoking a part of the past. Power to young people to take back your life and breathe free. 6C8B07D3-6D4A-49CF-94B7-2A1CE4C3ABAC

 

 

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Lent, The “ides of March” and Spring

Lent, The “ides of March”, and forthcoming Spring

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This year the tradition of Lent has started for many traditional Christians around the globe and every 4 years the Eastern and Western Calendars “meet” so this year Lent has started together (https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/roman-calendar.html) Carnival marks the last time of “letting loose” with food, drink, dress/costumes and for many a continuing of winter-Spring traditions extending back to the ancient times; whether you are  celebrating “Clean Monday” (Καθαρή Δευτέρα) with kite-flying and a vegetable and fish “diet” or preparing for a 40-day “fast” we focus on getting rid of our negative “habits” temporarily (leaning away from “temptation”)  and perhaps reflecting on being better people as well as preparing for Spring! And since we’re thinking of those left-overs last month was also Dental Care Awareness for kids  month, maybe it’s the chocolate binge and from Valentine’s Day or thinking of those marshmallow sugarcoated “peeps” for Easter …who doesn’t love Easter candy?! Whatever one does reminding ourselves to visit the dentist at least 1-2 times a year is vitally important and brushing teeth, flossing, sugarless gum after meals also helps! Ironically even the more health-literate Greece, due to the economic crisis not only has the dental profession been affected negatively among other health ‘tragedies’  described in an article in the reputable medical journal The Lancet appropriately called “Omens of a Health Tragedy” by Kentikelenis et al. (2011 article).  Indeed, children in Greece now have some of the worst teeth in all of Europe — The latest sign of Greece’s decay: Children’s teeth (identified Reuters article) since not going to the dentist often,   more than just ‘a pain’ in one’s month as teeth indeed affect and even reflect a person’s overall health.

In Spring, Pagan and Neo-Christian traditions come to light…

  • Persephone comes up from Hades after she was lured to the underworld by a pomegranate and her mother Artemis (Demeter) decides she will allow the bloom of Spring and summer hearth before Persephone goes down again into Fall and Winter scarcities.
  • We await for the Groundhog to see his shadow
  • The bracelet of Spring “Martis” (Ο Μάρτης) — Greece and the  general Balkans one will see the unisex wearing tradition of a red and white bracelet supposedly to prevent a sunburn, and we are called to  hang the bracelet on a fruit tree to “grow” the end of the month…remember some superstitious  stuff is ok but don’t obsess…
  • The famous reference about “The Ides of March” which refers to the full moon which corresponds to the 13th of March, May, July, October.  However most of us identify this with March 15th (starting in 44 B.C.) when the Roman ruler Julius Caesar was killed specifically due to his dictatorship rule many of us recall his supposed famous last line at his assassination ‘et tu, Brute’ (Latin for “and you, Brutus” or “even you, Brutus”… said at the time to his ‘friend’).

This special season think of the various messages that can help you integrate actions for better health:

  1. If you feel like a breath of fresh air away from the troubles of everyday life, plus a bit of exercise running in the wind, ‘go fly a kite’ (not just for controlling your anger any more!)
  2. Eat less, remember your 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day for better health. Fast wisely. There are many good supplements, and a great line for all ages is Nutrilite brand.
  3. If you are not eating certain foods during this time or eating later in the day you need to consult a doctor and fast wisely. Children, the aged, those with serious chronic diseases should not fast, minimally reducing protein and as always less carbohydrates.
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    Pan, mythical god figure of the wild in Arcadia

    Pan might lure you to his mountain path, just don’t fall prey to things that are bad for your health!

  4. Love that candy, but remember to brush your teeth and seek dental care!
  5. Allergies may be around the corner in the new bloom, be aware of side effects and take precaution (not just the ‘ides of March’).
  6. The kids may be waiting anxiously for the Easter bunny, keeping up with Peter Cottontail, but personally love this quote by a famous late comedian-actor, Robin Williams (1951-2014):

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